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- Ελληνικά
Due to the occurrence of cases of acute gastroenteritis, the Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public of the following:
- What is acute gastroenteritis?
It is the presence of an increased number of stools that have a creamy or watery consistency due to viruses, bacteria or parasites.
They may be accompanied by vomiting, fever or abdominal pain.
- How is acute gastroenteritis transmitted?
Acute gastroenteritis is usually transmitted from person to person by the fecal-oral route, i.e. by ingestion of the microbe in a patient's stool (e.g.For example, when a person eats without washing after touching a child's soiled nappy, or the toilet seat). Young children find it difficult to follow hygiene rules so are more prone to getting sick.
Some viruses that cause gastroenteritis can be transmitted by droplets (e.g. sputum, emesis droplets).
Less commonly, gastroenteritis can be caused by contaminated food (e.g.
- What should I look out for if my child has acute gastroenteritis?
The biggest risk in children with acute gastroenteritis is dehydration. Due to increased fluid loss from stools and insufficient oral fluid intake (coexistence of anorexia, nausea, vomiting) children are easily led to dehydration. The younger the age of the child, the greater the risk of dehydration.
In mild dehydration there is mild dry mouth, increased thirst and slightly reduced urine production (one urination every 6 hours).
In moderate and severe dehydration, urine production is greatly reduced, tears are absent in crying, the mouth becomes significantly dry and the eyes appear sunken.
- What can I do if my child has acute gastroenteritis?
Children with acute gastroenteritis and dehydration should be hydrated as soon as possible. Hydration should be done with a special electrolyte solution available in pharmacies.
In children with vomiting, it is advisable to start hydration after allowing some time after vomiting for the child's stomach to settle (about 30 minutes).
Start with small amounts of fluids (one 5ml teaspoon of electrolyte solution every 2 minutes) to avoid nausea or vomiting. The total amount of fluids given to the child depends on the child's weight and the number of diarrhoea and vomiting.
Exclusively breastfed babies do not need to be given electrolytes as breast milk is easily digestible. However, small and frequent meals are recommended to avoid recurrence of vomiting.
- Is medication given to a child with acute gastroenteritis?
Children with acute gastroenteritis do not need specific medication.
Antibiotics are not needed in most children with acute gastroenteritis as they do not help. On the contrary, they may worsen and prolong diarrhoea.
Anti-emetics often cause serious side effects in children and should be avoided, while medicines that reduce bowel motility are likely to make gastroenteritis worse.
Probiotics can help restore normal gut flora after acute gastroenteritis, but make little contribution to improving diarrhoea.
- What should I watch out for in the diet of a child with acute gastroenteritis?
Children with acute gastroenteritis who do not vomit should continue to eat normally and breastfeeding infants should continue to breastfeed.
Children with acute gastroenteritis can eat dairy products. Lactose-free diets can only help in older children with severe symptoms and chronic diarrhoea (more than 2 weeks).
Recommended foods in acute gastroenteritis include a combination of complex carbohydrates (rice, potatoes, wheat), meat, yoghurt, fruit and vegetables. A pure liquid diet or a deprivation diet of rice, bread, banana, apple, is deficient in nutrients and can cause prolonged diarrhea.
Foods high in sugar should be avoided. Soft drinks belong to this category as they contain excessive sugar and are deficient in electrolytes.
In children with vomiting, the diet should be light.
- How long does acute gastroenteritis last?
Acute gastroenteritis usually lasts less than a week although it can last up to 14 days.
- When should I see a doctor immediately?
You should see a doctor immediately if a child with acute gastroenteritis presents with:
1. Refusal of food and fluids
2. Vomiting despite oral hydration attempts.
3. Moderate and severe dehydration (e.g. infant who has not urinated ≥6 hours and child who has not urinated ≥8 hours)
4. Diarrhoea with blood.
5. Severe abdominal pain.
6. Changes in behaviour, e.g. lethargy.
- Preventive measures
It is very important that hygiene rules are always observed.
Good hand washing with soap and water.
- before eating
- after handling raw meat, fish and eggs
- after changing the child's diaper
Wash utensils and surfaces that have come into contact with raw meat or fish thoroughly with soap and water.
Wash fruits and vegetables carefully with clean water.
Avoid recipes with raw eggs and cook eggs until the yolk has set.
Freeze meat and fish that will not be cooked in the next 48 hours.
Do not leave cooked food out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours (and no more than 1 hour if room temperature is ≥32°C).
Do not share glasses and cutlery.
If you will be transporting sensitive foods outside the home, use ice packs, isothermal bags or ice trays.
(DK)
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