Filenews 20 July 2023
Due to the occurrence of cases of acute gastroenteritis, the Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public about the following:
- What is acute gastroenteritis?
It is the existence of an increased number of stools that have a creamy or watery consistency and are due to viruses, bacteria or parasites.
They may be accompanied by vomiting, fever or abdominal pain.
- How is acute gastroenteritis transmitted?
Acute gastroenteritis is usually transmitted from person to person by the fecal-oral route, i.e. by ingestion of the germ found in a patient's faeces (e.g. when someone eats without washing after touching the child's soiled diaper, or toilet seat). Young children hardly follow the rules of hygiene, so they are more prone to getting sick.
Some viruses that cause gastroenteritis can be transmitted by droplets (e.g. sputum).
More rarely, gastroenteritis can be caused by contaminated food (e.g. raw egg, poorly cooked chicken, rice that has not been properly preserved) or water.
- What should I pay attention to if my child has acute gastroenteritis?
The greatest danger in children with acute gastroenteritis is dehydration. Due to increased fluid loss from bowel movements and insufficient oral fluid intake (coexistence of anorexia, nausea, vomiting) children are easily led to dehydration. The younger the child's age, the greater the risk of dehydration.
In mild dehydration there is mild dryness of the mouth, increased thirst and slightly reduced urine production (one urination every 6 hours).
In moderate and severe dehydration, urine production is greatly reduced, tears are absent in crying, the mouth dries significantly and the eyes look sunken.
- What can I do if my child has acute gastroenteritis?
Children with acute gastroenteritis and dehydration should be hydrated as soon as possible. Hydration should be done with a special electrolyte solution, which is available in pharmacies.
In children with vomiting it is advisable to start moisturizing after allowing some time after vomiting to calm the child's stomach (about 30 minutes).
Start with small amounts of fluids (one teaspoon of 5ml electrolyte solution every 2 minutes) so as not to cause nausea or vomiting. The total amount of fluids to be given to the child depends on his weight and the number of diarrhea and vomiting.
Exclusively breastfed infants do not need to receive electrolytes as breast milk is easily digestible. However, small and frequent meals are recommended to avoid recurrence of vomiting.
- Are drugs given to a child with acute gastroenteritis?
Children with acute gastroenteritis do not need special medication.
Antibiotics are not needed in most children with acute gastroenteritis as they do not help. On the contrary, they may worsen and prolong diarrhea.
Antiemetics often cause serious side effects in children and should be avoided, while drugs that reduce bowel movement are likely to worsen gastroenteritis.
Probiotics can help restore normal gut flora after acute gastroenteritis, but they do little to improve diarrhea.
- What should I pay attention to in the diet of the child with acute gastroenteritis?
Children with acute gastroenteritis who do not vomit should continue to eat normally while breastfed infants should continue breastfeeding.
Children with acute gastroenteritis can consume dairy. A lactose-free diet can only help in older children with severe symptoms and chronic diarrhea (more than 2 weeks).
The recommended foods in acute gastroenteritis include a combination of complex carbohydrates (rice, potatoes, wheat), meat, yogurt, fruits and vegetables. The diet with clean liquids or the deprivation diet with rice, bread, banana, apple, is deficient in nutrients and can cause prolonged diarrhea.
Foods high in sugar should be avoided. Soft drinks also belong to this category since they contain excess sugar and are deficient in electrolytes.
In children with vomiting the diet should be light.
- How long does acute gastroenteritis last?
Acute gastroenteritis usually lasts less than a week, although it can last up to 14 days.
- When should I go to a doctor immediately?
You should see a doctor immediately if the child with acute gastroenteritis presents:
1. Refusal to take food and liquids.
2. Vomiting despite trying oral hydration.
3. Dehydration of moderate and severe degree (eg infant who has not urinated ≥6 hours and child who has not urinated ≥8 hours).
4. Diarrhea with blood.
5. Severe abdominal pain.
6. Changes in behaviour, e.g. lethargy.
- Preventive measures
It is very important to always observe the rules of hygiene.
Good hand washing with soap and water.
– before eating
– after handling raw meat, fish and eggs
– after changing the child's diaper
Wash utensils and surfaces that came into contact with raw meat or fish thoroughly with soap and water.
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water.
Avoid recipes with raw eggs and bake eggs until the yolk thickens.
Freeze meat and fish that will not be cooked in the next 48 hours.
Do not leave cooked foods outside the refrigerator for more than 2 hours (and no more than 1 hour if room temperature is ≥32oC).
Do not share glasses and cutlery.
If you will be transporting sensitive foods outside the home, use ice packs, isothermal bags or ice boxes.
