Gastroenteritis is caused by an infection, which is usually viral. More than 50 per cent of under-twos affected have an infection with a rotavirus.
Bacterial causes are less common but tend to be more severe. They include campylobacter, shigella and E. coli infections.
The infections are transmitted through contact with an infected person, poor hygiene and contaminated food or drink.
Gastroenteritis affects all age groups, but is particularly common in the under-fives. Small babies are particularly at risk from dehydration.
If the child is dehydrated you may notice a dry mouth, sunken eyes with no tears and/or a sunken fontanelle (the gap in a baby's skull). Babies may also pass little or no urine.
Encourage the child to drink plenty of rehydrating fluid
For mild gastroenteritis in an older child, encourage the child to drink plenty of rehydrating fluid (from the chemist) or unsweetened fruit juices. The child should eat as normally as possible.
Light foods such as soup, pasta, rice and bread are often better tolerated.
In breastfed babies, continue with normal feeds and give rehydrating solution as advised. In bottlefed babies, continue with normal full-strength feeds if possible and use rehydrating solution as advised.
Most cases settle rapidly, but the child may be infectious for some time, so be particularly careful about hygiene after about.
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