07/02/2026
🤢 Gastro season is here — what every parent should know
It’s midsummer, which means we’re seeing a LOT of “stomach bugs” going around.
Gastroenteritis (or “gastro”) is one of the most common childhood illnesses.
Worldwide, 500 000 – 1 million children still die each year from gastroenteritis, especially malnourished children and those in low-resource settings.
The good news? With the right care, most children recover well at home.
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🦠 What is “gastro”?
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut that causes:
* 🤢 Nausea & vomiting
* 💩 Diarrhoea
* 🤒 Sometimes fever & tummy cramps
Most cases are viral, but a smaller number are bacterial (which may need antibiotics).
The common causes we see:
Viral:
* Rotavirus (much less severe since the vaccine – protection is about 60–80%)
* Adenovirus (often milder than Rotavirus)
* Astro virus
* Sapo virus
* Noro virus
Bacterial:
* E. coli
* Salmonella
* Shigella
* Campylobacter
Parasites (less common):
* Entamoeba histolytica (chronic diarrhoea)
* Cryptosporidium (mainly in immune-compromised children)
* Giardia Lamblia
👀 What does gastro look like?
Your child may have:
* 🤒 Fever (often higher with bacterial infections)
* 🤮 Vomiting (often the first sign)
* 😣 Tummy cramps
* 💩 Diarrhoea (can start up to 24 hours later)
* Viral = watery, foul-smelling
* Bacterial = may be bloody
* 😴 Lethargy & weakness
* 🚫 Not wanting to eat or drink
* 🚽 Fewer wet nappies / less urine
💧 Watch out for dehydration
Children (especially babies) dehydrate very quickly.
🚩 Signs of dehydration:
* Pale skin
* Cold hands and feet
* Dry mouth, no tears
* Sunken eyes or fontanelle
* Very few wet nappies
* Loose “old looking” skin
* Very sleepy or floppy
* In severe cases: fast heartbeat, fast breathing, low blood pressure, even convulsions
*
🏠 What you can do at home
The main goal = prevent dehydration
💧 Fluids are medicine
* Use oral rehydration solution (Hydrol / Ceralyte)
* Aim for ±60 ml per hour
* Plus 50–100 ml after each watery stool
🍼 Feeding
* Do NOT stop breastfeeding
* If vomiting badly, pause formula for a few hours and use rehydration solution
* Avoid fizzy drinks & sugary juices
🦠 Probiotics
* Lactobacillus Reuteri (e.g. Reuterina)
* 5 drops twice a day for ±5 days
* Older kids can use chew tablets
🤮 For nausea & vomiting
* Anti-emetics (as prescribed by a doctor)
💊 Antibiotics
* Only if a doctor suspects a bacterial infection
🚫 Don’t try to stop the diarrhoea
* We usually avoid Immodium in children
* You can use gut protectors like:
* Tasectan (every 6 hours)
* Smecta (twice daily for 5 days)
* Hidrasec
🏥 When to get medical help
Please see a doctor or go to hospital if your child has:
🚩 Ongoing vomiting & diarrhoea
🚩 Any signs of dehydration
🚩 High fever, severe pain, or bloody diarrhoea
🚩 Babies under 1 year
🚩 Refusing all fluids
🚩 You are unsure or worried
Your gut feeling as a parent matters.
🏨 What happens in hospital?
If admitted, your child may:
* Be placed in isolation
* Receive fluids via drip or feeding tube
* Get medication for nausea
* Receive probiotics
* Have stool/blood tests
* Be treated for nappy rash
* Stay 2–5 days depending on severity
💛
Gastro is messy, exhausting, and stressful, but most children recover fully with good hydration and support.
You’re not failing if your child gets sick.
You’re doing your job by noticing, caring, and asking for help when needed.
Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician
