Gastroenteritis
WHAT IS GASTROENTERITIS?
Gastroenteritis, (pronounced as "gas-tro-en-ter-ahy-tis"), is a condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation in the stomach and intestines.
It’s usually caused by an infection from different bacteria and viruses that sneak into your body. It can disrupt your daily life.
Transmissions, symptoms & advice
Although gastroenteritis is very infectious, it’s normally temporary and manageable. Gastroenteritis doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. Some people might recover quickly, whilst others might need a bit more recovery time. For most people, the symptoms usually go away within a few days. Anyone can be affected by gastroenteritis. Children often get it because of viruses like rotavirus, whilst adults tend to be affected as a result of norovirus or food poisoning.
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis include:
• Sudden diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Feeling sick
Some people also have other symptoms, like losing their appetite, having an upset stomach, aching limbs and headaches. While these symptoms can be uncomfortable, they usually subside over time. If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, the best thing to do is to stay at home until you feel better. It’s advised to stay off school or work until you’ve not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least two days. Gastroenteritis usually clears by itself and people usually feel better within a week. However, if symptoms don’t improve, they get worse, or you’re concerned at all about any of your symptoms, it’s important to seek medical advice. Because gastroenteritis is very easily spread, try avoiding going to the GP. You can either call them or call 111 for medical advice.
With gastroenteritis, it's reassuring to know that there are practical steps you can take to help ease your discomfort and relieve sickness and diarrhoea. You can usually treat gastroenteritis at home and you or your child should start feeling better within a few days.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is important when managing gastroenteritis. Drinking plenty of fluids like water can help replenish the fluids your body might be losing due to vomiting and diarrhoea. If you feel sick or have been sick, drinking plenty of fluids may be difficult, so you may want to start with small sips and then slowly increase this to drink more. In addition, adding oral rehydration sachets to water can help, as they contain a mix of glucose and various salts, which can help relieve short-term diarrhoea and replace lost salts and fluids.
Eating small amounts
While your appetite might not be at its best, try eating small and frequent meals when you’re able to. You can try plain foods like:
• Soup
• Rice
• Pasta
• Bread
Fever and pain
If you have a high temperature or stomach pain, over-the-counter pain relief medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help provide relief (if they’re suitable for you). Before taking any medications, make sure to read the patient information leaflet.
Rest and recovery
It’s important to stay at home until at least 48 hours after your symptoms have passed to reduce the risk of passing it on.
Diarrhoea
For relieving sudden, short-term diarrhoea, diarrhoea relief tablets or capsules might be a helpful option. These can slow down your trips to the toilet. These are not suitable for children under 12. Before taking any medications, make sure to read the patient information leaflet and speak to your pharmacist if you have any questions.
While self-care strategies are important, there are certain situations where it’s important to speak to your GP or call 111. For example, in instances where:
• You’re worried about a baby who’s under 12 months
• Your child stops feeding while they’re ill (both breast or bottle)
• Your child under five has signs of dehydration for example fewer wet nappies
• You or your child (if they’re over five) still show signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets
• You or your child keep being sick and can’t keep any fluids down
• You or your child have bloody diarrhoea or are bleeding from the bottom
• You or your child have diarrhoea for more than seven days or are vomiting for more than two days
If you have an underlying health condition like inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease or a weakened immune system, it’s important to speak to your GP or phone 111 for advice.
It’s not always possible to prevent gastroenteritis, but you can help prevent it from spreading with some habits you can add to your daily routine. Let’s explore some of those ways:
Washing your hands
One of the most important things you can do is to wash your hands frequently especially before you eat or handle food. By washing your hands with soap and water, you’re helping to remove any harmful germs that can cause gastroenteritis. If you’re out and about hand wipes like the Boots Anti-viral Hand Wipes can be helpful.
Cooking food thoroughly
Making sure your food is cooked properly, allows the heat to kill any germs that could make you feel sick. If possible, avoid preparing food for other people too.
Staying at home if you’re ill
If you feel unwell, it’s important to stay at home and avoid being in contact with other people until you feel better. You should also stay off school or work until you’ve not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least two days.
Avoiding sharing personal items
Personal items like flannels, cutlery, utensils or towels can pass along germs, so it’s important to keep them to yourself if you’re feeling unwell or having any symptoms of gastroenteritis.
More ways to help avoid gastroenteritis include:
• Disinfecting any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated preferably with a bleach-based cleaner
• Washing any contaminated clothes or bedding on a hot wash
• Flushing away any poo or vomit in the toilet and making sure the surrounding area is clean
Norovirus is one of the main causes of gastroenteritis in adults. It’s a viral infection often referred to as the "winter vomiting bug". This leads to symptoms of gastroenteritis, for example, watery diarrhoea and sudden onset of nausea and/or vomiting. Norovirus can be unpleasant, but it usually clears up by itself in a few days. It can affect anyone, however, certain groups such as young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, may be more susceptible to experiencing more severe symptoms. It’s important to note that frequently washing hands with soap and water can help prevent the spread of norovirus, however, alcohol hand gels are not effective at killing it.
Gastroenteritis, while often temporarily uncomfortable, can sometimes lead to complications in certain groups like:
• Young children and babies
• Older people
• People with underlying health problems
• People with a weakened immune system
The main complication of gastroenteritis is dehydration. This is when your body loses more fluids than it’s taking in. If dehydration isn’t treated quickly, it can get worse and become serious. Be mindful of symptoms of dehydration which can include:
• A dry mouth, lips and tongue
• Peeing less than usual
• Feeling tired
• Feeling thirsty
• Dark yellow, strong-smelling pee
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Sunken eyes
If you have symptoms of dehydration, you should drink plenty of fluids. If you’ve been sick or are feeling sick and you’re finding it hard to drink, you can start with small sips and then gradually increase how much you’re drinking. A Boots pharmacist can help you if you’re dehydrated. They may recommend oral rehydration treatment like the Boots Rehydration Treatment (Always read the label). This can help restore your body’s salt and fluid balance.
There are situations where you need to ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111. These include if:
• You’re feeling unusually tired
• You’re confused or disorientated
• You feel dizzy when you stand up and this feeling doesn’t go away
• You have dark yellow pee or you’re peeing less than normal
• You’re breathing quickly or have a fast heart rate
These can all be signs of serious dehydration that need treatment urgently. Further complications can happen if you have an underlying health condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease or a weakened immune system. In these cases, it's essential to speak to your GP. They can offer tailored advice to help manage gastroenteritis effectively.
In most cases, babies with gastroenteritis can be managed effectively at home. To help ensure their well-being, the following may help:
• Continuing to feed: If your baby is dealing with gastroenteritis, feeding should continue as usual regardless of breast or bottle feeding. If they’re sick, you can try giving them smaller feeds, but more often. For babies who are formula-fed or on solid food, try giving them small sips of water between feeds.
• Looking for signs of dehydration: Babies and young children are more at risk of dehydration.
Signs of dehydration in babies need immediate action. You need to speak to your GP urgently or call 111 if your baby:
• Has a dry mouth
• Isn’t producing tears
• Has fewer wet nappies
• Is drowsy or irritable
• Becomes lethargic or unresponsive
• Has a fast-breathing rate that seems unusual
• Has cold hands and feet
• Has sunken eyes
• Has a sunken fontanelle (soft spot on baby’s head)
You need to call 999 or go to A&E if your baby:
• Has vomited greenish, yellow-greenish or bloody vomit
• Has vomit that looks like ground coffee
• Has a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
• Has a sudden severe headache or stomach ache
Gastroenteritis symptoms including diarrhoea need careful management. It’s important to keep your child hydrated. Offer them fluids frequently and gradually, using a syringe or spoon if sipping is hard for them. While fizzy and energy drinks are best avoided, clear fluids like water, and diluted juice can help rehydrate your child. Oral rehydration solutions like the Boots Rehydration Treatment can help replace lost salts and fluids to help prevent dehydration. Always read the label. This is suitable for one year and over.
Symptoms of dehydration in children under the age of five need urgent medical attention. They include:
• Feeling thirsty
• Dark yellow, strong-smelling pee
• Peeing less often than usual
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Feeling tired
• A dry mouth, lips and tongue
• Sunken eyes
If you suspect dehydration, speak to your GP immediately or call 111.
Your pharmacist can advise with over-the-counter medications which may help relieve some of your child’s symptoms. For example:
• Diarrhoea relief products like Enterosgel can help reduce the duration of diarrhoea. It’s suitable for children three years and older. If your child is under three, it’s advisable to speak to a doctor before using it
• Medicines for fever and pain relief
It’s important to make sure to read the patient information leaflets with any medications and make sure they’re suitable for your child’s age. While many cases of gastroenteritis in children can be managed at home, there are situations that may need medical attention.
You need to speak to your GP or call 111 if your child:
• Is starting to show signs of dehydration
• Is seeming unwell
• Is lethargic or irritable
• Is passing less wee than usual
• Isn’t drinking or has had six or more episodes of diarrhoea in 24 hours, or three or more vomits in 24 hours
You need to call 999 or go to your nearest A&E if your child:
• Has vomited greenish, yellow-greenish or bloody vomit
• Has vomit that looks like ground coffee
• Has a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
• Has a sudden severe headache or stomach ache
There are certain groups of people who gastroenteritis may affect more, such as:
• Babies, infants and young children: Due to their developing immune systems, they might be more at risk of gastroenteritis
• The elderly: As we age, our immune systems may get weaker. This may make the elderly more at risk of gastroenteritis. Their bodies may also struggle recovering as quickly. If you’re caring for an older person, keep an eye out for symptoms
Babies, infants, young children, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions may need extra attention and care.
Related products
HOW TO TREAT DIARRHOEA & VOMITING
Diarrhoea and vomiting are common and often caused by food poisoning or a tummy bug, such as norovirus. Click the video link below for more advice on how to treat diarrhoea and vomiting, and what you can do to help reduce the chance of spreading it.
LEARN MORE ABOUT SICKNESS & DIARRHOEA
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection that can be caused by a variety of viruses that usually result in vomiting or diarrhoea. Norovirus, often called the “winter vomiting bug” and sometimes the “stomach flu”, is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis.
There’s no particular food to eat or avoid with gastroenteritis, but if you feel like eating, small amounts of plain foods can be eaten. This includes foods like:
• Soup
• Rice
• Pasta
• Bread
As many types of gastroenteritis are viral, you won’t be prescribed antibiotics for them. However, if you’ve had tests which reveal you have bacterial gastroenteritis, you might in this case be prescribed antibiotics.
Gastroenteritis can be unpleasant, but it usually clears up by itself with treatment at home. Some people can develop severe diarrhoea and vomiting which may make them dehydrated. This is more likely in babies, children, older people, and those with underlying health conditions. If dehydration isn’t treated, it can become a serious problem.
Gastroenteritis is very contagious. It’s important to stay at home until at least 48 hours after your symptoms have cleared. Visiting your GP or going to the hospital can put other people at risk, so it’s best to phone 111 or your GP if you’re concerned about your symptoms or you need advice.
You can catch gastroenteritis if small particles of vomit or poo from someone with it get into your mouth. This can be from close contact with someone (they may breathe out small particles of vomit), touching contaminated objects or surfaces or eating contaminated food.
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*Boots Diarrhoea Relief Instant Melts 2mg Orodispersible Tablets contain loperamide, Dioralyte Relief Blackcurrant Sachets is for the treatment of fluid and electrolyte loss associated with acute diarrhoea. Always read the label
