Acute gastroenteritis is a common inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach and intestine. It usually causes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever, which may occur in combination or separate. Most of these symptoms are mild and recede within a few days with proper care.

“Gastroenteritis is usually caused by infections, mainly viral, bacterial or, more rarely, parasitic. Rotavi is the most common virus that causes gastroenteritis in children, and therefore universal vaccination in infancy is recommended. Other viruses include adenovirus, norovirus and enteroviruses. Rarely, the condition may be due to bacteria such as salmonella, sigella or curvature. In addition, gastroenteritis can be caused by food poisoning, usually due to poor maintenance or inappropriate food preparation. ” Mr. Georgia Dimitriou, Curator of Pediatric Clinic in Metropolitan Hospital and continues with what we need to know about its disease, prevention and treatment:

Symptoms of gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is often manifested by vomiting or diarrhea, or both. Diarrhea is characterized by frequent watery or soft composition. If diarrhea includes blood or mucus, it may indicate microbial infection. Other often symptoms are abdominal pain – which usually occurs before vomiting or diarrhea and decreases after – and fever.

Treatment at home

The basic treatment for gastroenteritis involves maintaining hydration. Fluid administration should start at least one hour after the last vomiting, with small amounts of fluid at frequent intervals. In infants, breastfeeding or formula should be continued normally. In older children, simple starchy foods such as rice and potatoes can help recover. Avoid processed foods as they can aggravate symptoms. Pharmaceutical formulations to limit vomiting or diarrhea are not recommended.

When to seek medical help

“Usually, the symptoms recede on their own in a few days. However, if the child has symptoms of dehydration, such as reduced urine production or a very dry mouth, or has a high fever that does not recede, it is important to seek medical attention. Infants under 6 months or children with chronic diseases are at greater risk of dehydration and requires timely assessment by a pediatrician. Also, if there is blood diarrhea, constant vomiting or severe abdominal pain, a visit to the doctor is necessary, ”he says.

Prevention

Prevention of gastroenteritis is based on adherence to hygiene rules, such as frequent hand washing and avoiding consumption of inappropriately prepared or stored foods. Especially in children, the use of clean and safe materials when preparing meals and good food maintenance is important preventive measures. In addition, it is necessary for children to remain at home for at least 24 hours after the symptoms are disintegrated in order to prevent the disease from being transmitted to other people.

“With proper care and hydration, gastroenteritis is usually easily treated at home, and most children recover completely without complications. Those unable to receive oral hydration may require hospitalization and intravenous fluid administration. In rare cases where the symptoms are persistent and have long duration, it will be needed an assessment by a peddian to exclude alternative diagnoses involving digestive diseases, “concludes Ms. Dimitriou.

*In his pediatric clinic Metropolitan Hospital There is a specialist pediatric gastrointestinal clinic staffed by experienced and renowned pediatrics, while at the same time being able to perform the entire spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic acts related to pediatric gastroenterology.