Gastroenteritis | Gastroenteritis | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Hospital%20bed%20header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClass199A3829085043B2AA53CB3519ED3B9B"><p>Learn more on the symptoms of gastroenteritis, as well as the prevention and treatment methods.</p>
</div> | <h2 class="sectHeading">About<br></h2><p>Gastroenteritis is a viral infection of the intestine, characterised by:</p><ul><li>the passing of three or more watery stools, </li><li>abdominal cramps, </li><li>nausea or vomiting, and </li><li>sometimes fever.</li></ul><p> It is contracted by ingesting contaminated food or water, or through unknowingly eating faeces. This can happen when an infected person does not wash their hands properly after using the toilet, and then prepares food.<br><br> Symptoms may appear one to three days after infection, and range from mild to severe. Usually symptoms only last just a day or two, but occasionally they may persist as long as 10 days.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Treatment</h2><p>If you are healthy, you can recover from the infection without complications. However, for infants, older adults and those with compromised immune systems, viral gastroenteritis can be deadly.</p><h4>Treatment for diarrhea/dehydration in adults: </h4><ul><li>drink clean water (use boiled water that has been cooled if the local water sources are not clean) </li><li>follow good <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Handwashing%20devices.pdf" target="_blank">handwashing practices </a>with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet </li><li>stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids like tea and juice </li><li>eat eggs, dry toast, bananas, rice, salty crackers or chicken to help rehydrate your body</li><li>get enough rest. </li></ul><h4>Treatment for diarrhea/dehydration in diabetic patients:</h4><ul><li>treatment is the same as above, however, avoid or limit artificial sweeteners that can worsen your diarrhoea </li><li>avoid dairy, fatty or spicy food </li><li>do not drink caffeine and alcohol </li><li>seek medical attention if you think that your diarrhoea is directly related to your diabetes.</li></ul><p>Find out more about how to <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/DiahrroeaandDehydration_Pamphlet.pdf" target="_blank">protect yourself from diarrhoea and dehydration</a>.</p><h4>Treatment for diarrhea/dehydration in children/infants:</h4><p>Download the useful resources below for more information on what to do when your child has diarrhoea:</p><ul><li><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Child_Nutrition_Diarrhoea_Pamphlet.pdf" target="_blank">Nutrition and Diarrhoea: Feeding a Child with Diarrhoea Pamphlet</a></li><li><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Pneumonia_and_diarheoa_Pamphlet.pdf" target="_blank">Stop Diarrhoea and Pneumonia Pamphlet</a></li></ul><p>Most of the time all you need to do is replace the fluids you have lost in loose stools. Infected adults, children and babies should drink a rehydration solution. </p>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>rehydration solution</h4><p>If you have diarrhoea, replace lost fluids with an
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Oral%20Rehydration_Preparation%20Guidelines.pdf" target="_blank">oral rehydration/sugar and salt solution</a>.<br><br> 1. Boil one litre of water and allow it to cool.<br> 2. Add eight level teaspoons of sugar and a half a teaspoon of salt and stir well.</p></div></div></span>
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<strong>Adults</strong>: drink the solution regularly throughout the diarrhoea infection period.</li><li>
<strong>Children over the age of two years</strong>: 125 ml – 250 ml of solution after every watery stool.</li><li>
<strong>Children under the age of two years</strong>: 60 ml – 125 ml of solution after each watery stool (feed one teaspoon every 2 minutes).</li></ul><p>If your baby has diarrhoea, you can feed them small amounts of the solution every few minutes. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Prevention</h2><p>You can prevent diarrhoea and gastroenteritis by practicing good personal hygiene, eating good food that has been prepared in a clean and hygienic environment, and ensuring that you
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/City%20Health_Boil%20water.pdf" target="_blank">drink and cook with safe water</a>. </p><p>If you are infected, remember to wash your hands properly and use disinfectant to clean ablution facilities after use. If you have to prepare food for others, make sure you wash your hands beforehand. </p><p>See our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Diarrhoea_Prevention%20tips_Final.pdf" target="_blank">Prevention Tips</a>.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Medical help</h2><h4>Visit your nearest clinic or doctor immediately if your child:</h4><ul><li>Has a dry mouth or cries without tears</li><li>Has a fever of 38.9 °C or higher</li><li>Has a sunken soft spot (fontanel) on the top of his or her head</li><li>Has bloody stools or severe diarrhoea</li><li>Has not had a wet diaper in six hours</li><li>Is in a lot of discomfort or pain</li><li>Is vomiting for several hours</li><li>Refuses to drink the oral rehydration solution or breast milk</li><li>Seems lethargic (listless) or very irritable or is unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive</li></ul><h4> If you're an adult, visit your nearest clinic or doctor if:</h4><ul><li>You are not able to keep liquids down for 24 hours</li><li>You have been vomiting for more than two days or if you are vomiting blood</li><li>You are dehydrated — signs of dehydration include excessive thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine or little or no urine, and severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness</li><li>You notice blood in your bowel movements or if you have a fever above 40 °C</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us</h2><p>For more information, contact your
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-city-facilities/our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">nearest clinic or healthcare facility</a>.</p><p>If you find yourself in an emergency situation, contact
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<a>107</a></em> from a landline, or
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<a>021 480 7700</a></em> from a cellphone. </p> | | GP0|#1dc6b8fc-b690-434b-8a22-c59a1a090007;L0|#01dc6b8fc-b690-434b-8a22-c59a1a090007|Gastroenteritis;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#d65ab879-2884-426b-a380-7b8f9433c812;GPP|#090e430c-3809-42d5-a80b-caea93b2beaf;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Learn more on the symptoms of gastroenteritis, as well as the prevention and treatment methods. | 0 |