GASTROENTERITIS

Gastroenteritis  is  a  viral  infection  of  the  gut.  The  rotavirus  is  one  of  the most  common  viruses  responsible, particularly in children, and it often appears in epidemics, and usually in spring or early summer. It passes from one person  to  another  through  contamination  of  the  hands  and  food.  Another  virus  that may  be  responsible  is  the
Astrovirus amongst many others.
Patients develop an uncomfortable  feeling  in  the stomach, gurgling, cramping pains and  then vomiting. A  few hours  later  the  vomiting  starts  to ease, and diarrhoea develops. The  infection  lasts  from one  to  three days and
young children may become rapidly dehydrated and require urgent hospitalisation.
Usually no investigations are necessary, but faeces tests may be performed if another cause is suspected and blood tests are sometimes necessary for dehydration.
The  treatment  involves a specific diet  to  replace  the  fluid and vital salts  that are  rinsed out of  the body by  the vomiting  and  diarrhoea,  and  then  careful  reintroduction  of  foods.  In  adults,  medications  can  be  used  to  slow diarrhoea, and paracetamol can be used for belly pain at all ages. Some children develop intolerance to milk sugar (lactose) after the infection, and this may prevent them from returning to a normal diet for weeks or months.

GASTROENTERITIS DIET
    Take small amounts of food and fluids very frequently (every hour), rather than large amounts three times a day.
    DAY 1          CLEAR FLUIDS ONLY.
                   Repalyte, Hydralyte and Gastrolyte (available from chemists and taste better if cold) are best, but
                   white grape juice, clear soups, Bonox, very dilute flat lemonade, very dilute cordial, and frozen
                   cordial may be used for a short time in milder cases. Average 50 mLs. an hour for a child, 100 mLs.
                   an hour for an adult.
                   Do NOT drink plain water.
                   Isomil, Prosobee, Infasoy etc. can be used as a milk substitute in infants.
                   Lactose free milk (“Lactaid”) may be used.
                   Breast milk is perfect for infants even with gastroenteritis.
    DAY 2          LIGHT DIET.
                   Continue clear fluids and add bread, toast, boiled rice, dry biscuits (eg: quarter slice of bread, half a
                   dry biscuit every half hour) .
    DAY 3          ADD NUTRITION.
                   Boiled vegetables, fruits, white meats (chicken breast, fish), cereals.
    DAY 4          GRADUALLY INCREASE FOOD INTAKE
                   Until return to normal.
                                                                  AVOID
             All dairy products (eg: milk, cream, cheese, butter, ice cream, custard, yoghurt), eggs, red meat,
                                            fatty and fried foods until completely better.