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.
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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment