Children often experience vomiting and diarrhea due to stomach bugs, which can be managed at home with pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD’s advice on recognizing dehydration signs, understanding the virus’s progression, and identifying when symptoms require medical attention. Learn about safe hydration, appropriate diet during recovery, and when professional medical help is necessary.
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Understanding the Stomach Bug in Children
Stomach bugs, also known as gastroenteritis, are common in children and can cause symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms are different from those of the flu, which typically include fever, body aches, and respiratory symptoms.
Children who have a stomach bug are at risk of dehydration due to fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to monitor them closely for signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, sunken eyes, decreased urine output, and lethargy.
To help prevent dehydration, encourage your child to drink clear fluids such as water, oral rehydration solutions, and electrolyte drinks. Avoid giving them sugary drinks or undiluted fruit juices, as these can worsen diarrhea.
If your child is unable to keep fluids down or shows signs of dehydration, contact their healthcare provider for further guidance. In some cases, intravenous fluids may be necessary to rehydrate a severely dehydrated child.
Remember to practice good hand hygiene to prevent the spread of stomach bugs, as they are highly contagious. Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
When Vomiting Warrants Medical Attention
Understanding when to seek medical help for vomiting and diarrhea is crucial. Most cases are due to stomach bugs, but prolonged symptoms or unusual signs like blood require urgent care. Infants and individuals with persistent vomiting after the contagious period need immediate attention.
It’s important to note that dehydration can be a serious complication of vomiting and diarrhea. Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, decreased urine output, and dizziness. If you or a loved one experience these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly.
Managing Dehydration and Warning Signs
Dehydration is a significant concern with vomiting episodes, especially when accompanied by diarrhea. Monitoring hydration levels through mouth moisture, tears, and urine frequency is essential.
It is important to encourage frequent sips of water or clear fluids to help prevent dehydration. Electrolyte drinks can also be beneficial in restoring lost electrolytes. If symptoms of dehydration persist, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly.
Warning signs of dehydration include dark yellow urine, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and decreased urine output. If any of these symptoms are present, immediate intervention is necessary to prevent further complications.
How and When to Reintroduce Food
Avoid feeding during vomiting episodes and start with clear fluids to rehydrate gradually. Dairy and heavy foods should be avoided initially, introducing bland options once vomiting stops.
Safe Fluids and What to Avoid
Use clear fluids like Pedialyte for babies and low-sugar electrolyte drinks for older children to prevent dehydration. Gradually introduce bland foods like bananas and crackers after eight hours without vomiting.
Medications and Probiotics for Vomiting
Specific medications for vomiting in children are usually not recommended, except in emergency situations where anti-nausea drugs may be used. Supportive care is essential for managing stomach bugs.
Managing Diarrhea During Recovery
Managing diarrhea may involve dietary adjustments such as the BRAT diet and probiotics for recovery. Switching to soy formula temporarily may help if diarrhea persists, especially in formula-fed infants.
In addition to dietary changes, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and clear fluids. Electrolyte solutions can also help replace lost fluids and minerals.
If diarrhea is severe or persistent, it is important to consult a healthcare provider. They may recommend medication or further evaluation to determine the underlying cause of the diarrhea.
It is also important to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of diarrhea-causing bacteria or viruses. Regular handwashing, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers, can help reduce the risk of infection.
Overall, managing diarrhea during recovery requires a combination of dietary changes, hydration, medical guidance, and good hygiene practices to ensure a speedy and successful recovery.
When It’s Time to Call or Visit the Doctor
Signs of dehydration like dry mouth, reduced tears, and infrequent urination indicate the need for medical attention. Consulting a doctor is necessary if severe symptoms persist despite home care.
Stomach bugs usually resolve with supportive care, but medical advice should be sought in case of dehydration concerns.
updated: June 17, 2025
originally published: August 22, 2014
This section covers caring for children with stomach bugs at home, preventing infection spread, and knowing when urgent medical help is required.
Recognizing when to be concerned about vomiting and diarrhea caused by stomach bugs, norovirus, or food poisoning guides appropriate care at home or seeking medical attention.
Caring for a baby or child with diarrhoea and vomiting at home
Keeping a child with diarrhea and vomiting at home, ensuring hydration and rest, is vital to prevent infection spread. Avoiding public places until full recovery helps contain the illness.
What treatment can I give my baby or child for diarrhoea and vomiting?
Avoid anti-diarrheal medications for young children and consider oral rehydration solutions for older kids. Consulting a healthcare professional for guidance is recommended.
What should a baby or child with diarrhoea and vomiting eat and drink?
Continue breastfeeding or regular formula feeds for babies during illness and offer additional fluids if necessary. Older children can have full-fat cow’s milk and small sips of water between feeds.
Once ready, children can resume their normal diet.
If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention by calling 999 or going to the emergency room. Severe dehydration can be life-threatening and requires prompt treatment. Regular handwashing and cleaning exposed clothing and surfaces after vomiting or stool contact is crucial. Avoid sharing personal items and refrain from swimming in public pools post-recovery. For parental support, contact 0300 330 0700 or attend NCT New Baby courses. Occasional vomiting in children is common and often resolves within 2 days without serious complications. If your child vomits and shows: If your GP is unavailable, contact 111. Most cases of childhood vomiting can be managed at home with adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Breastfeeding or milk feeding should be continued for vomiting babies, with additional fluids for dehydration. Children should consume clear fluids and avoid fruit juices or carbonated drinks until recovery. Solid foods may be introduced if the child shows interest and retains fluids well. Consult a GP for oral rehydration solutions if concerned about dehydration. Seek medical advice if the child cannot tolerate the solution. Keep the child at home for at least 48 hours after the last vomiting episode to prevent disease spread. healthdirect Australia provides free consultations with nurses or doctors for guidance. Children experiencing diarrhoea have more frequent or loose bowel movements. Seek medical advice if there are over 3 liquid stools daily. Normal stools should be soft and solid, not diarrhoea. Viral gastroenteritis is often the culprit. Children with diarrhoea may exhibit symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, or loss of appetite. Monitor for signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth and lethargy. Severe dehydration in children with diarrhoea can be life-threatening, especially in young children. Immediate medical attention is required for severe dehydration symptoms. Severe dehydration is characterized by reduced urine output and lethargy. Diarrhoea in children occurs when there is excess water in stool or too much fluid entering, leading to looseness. Multiple factors can contribute to childhood diarrhoea. Gastroenteritis, typically viral in children, results in symptoms like vomiting, low-grade fever, and watery diarrhoea. Bacterial gastroenteritis from pathogens like salmonella can lead to bloody stools, high fever, and sudden onset of symptoms. Parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidiosis can also cause gastroenteritis in children, presenting symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea, cramps, and fatigue. An imbalance in gut bacteria from antibiotics can lead to diarrhoea. If you suspect antibiotics are the cause, consult your doctor.
How to stop diarrhoea and vomiting spreading
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
Speak to your GP if:
Looking after your child at home
Key facts
What is diarrhoea?
What symptoms are related to diarrhoea in children?
Dehydration in babies, infants and children
What causes diarrhoea in children?
Viral gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis
Parasites
Antibiotics
Clostridium difficile, also known as C. diff, can overgrow after antibiotics, causing severe symptoms like cramping, fever, and blood in stool.
Seek immediate medical help if there is blood in your child’s poo.
Constipation is characterized by hard stools and irregular bowel movements, which can result in soiling underpants.
While rare in children, lactose intolerance can cause diarrhoea and tummy pain due to difficulty digesting lactose found in milk. Seek medical advice for proper diagnosis.
Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause symptoms like diarrhoea and unexplained weight loss in children.
Coeliac disease, triggered by gluten, can lead to diarrhoea, bloating, and abdominal pain in children, hindering weight gain. Treatment may involve dietary changes.
Malabsorption syndrome can hinder nutrient absorption, resulting in persistent diarrhoea and poor weight gain in children. Consult a healthcare provider for proper management.
Your doctor will assess your child’s symptoms, inquire about recent antibiotic use, and may recommend tests to diagnose the cause of ongoing diarrhoea. If diarrhoea persists, a specialist referral may be necessary.
If your baby has diarrhoea and meets certain criteria, consult a healthcare provider for guidance.
Seek immediate medical attention if your child experiences severe symptoms like blood in stool, severe abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration.
Treatment for diarrhoea in children varies by severity and underlying cause. Follow healthcare provider recommendations for proper management.
For children over 6 months with viral gastroenteritis, home treatment may be sufficient. Infants under 6 months should be evaluated by a doctor. Different feeding recommendations apply to breastfed and bottle-fed infants, while older children should drink fluids regularly and return to a normal diet as symptoms improve. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization for intravenous fluids.
Common childhood illnesses, including diarrhoea, have specific exclusion periods to prevent spreading. Follow healthcare provider guidelines for safe practices.
Oral hydration solutions are recommended over water for rehydration due to their balanced electrolyte content. Avoid anti-diarrhoeal medications in children.
Different conditions causing diarrhoea require specific treatments, from dietary adjustments to specialized medications. Consult healthcare providers for tailored care.
Prevent the spread of gastroenteritis by maintaining good hygiene practices and getting vaccinated as needed.
Dehydration is a serious complication of diarrhoea in young children. Lactose intolerance post-gastroenteritis usually resolves within weeks.
For advice on caring for a child with diarrhoea, contact healthdirect on 1800 022 222 or Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 for support from qualified nurses, available 24/7.