Diarrhea & Vomiting
Tummy bugs are very common in young children and are almost always caused by a virus. They are easily spread around nurseries, schools and in families.
Diarrhoea often lasts between 5 to 7 days and stops within 2 weeks. Vomiting usually stops within 3 days. If your child continues to be ill for longer, seek advice.
Severe diarrhoea or vomiting can lead to dehydration, which is when the body does not have enough water or the right balance of salts. If this becomes severe it can be dangerous. Dehydration happens more in small babies. It is important to make sure your child is drinking enough.
Please see Red-Amber-Green tables for advice on when and where to seek care for your child.
The charts show how long diarrhoea and vomiting lasts in children when they have a tummy bug. The faces represent 10 children who have seen their GP with a tummy bug. Green faces are those children who have recovered within that time period.
The diagrams above are taken from www.whenshouldiworry.com
The charts show how long diarrhoea and vomiting lasts in children when they have a tummy bug. The faces represent 10 children who have seen their GP with a tummy bug. Green faces are those children who have recovered within that time period.
The diagrams above are taken from www.whenshouldiworry.com
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- Has dark green or blood stained vomit
- Breathing very fast, too breathless to talk, eat or drink
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
- Breathing that stops or pauses
- Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
- Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
- Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
- Has a fit (seizure)
- Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the glass test)
- Is under 3 months old with temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or call 999 - dial 999.
If your child has any of the following:
- Has blood in their poo or wee
- Has tummy pain that doesn’t go away for more than 1 day even after paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Is vomiting and unable to keep down any fluids
- Is drinking or breastfeeding much less than normal
- Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
- Dry skin, lips or tongue
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
- Poor feeding in babies (less than half of their usual amount)
- Irritable (Unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or hugs even after their fever has come down)
- Is 3-6 months old with temperature 39°C or above (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features)
- Temperature of 38°C or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever (rigors)
- Temperature less than 36°C in those over 3 months
- Getting worse and I am still worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111.
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If none of the above features are present
- Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
- Additional advice is also available for families for help cope with crying in otherwise well babies
- If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111.
Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.
Self care and Prevention
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