Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is usually caused by an infection with a virus or bacteria

You feel very sick to your stomach, throw up, and have diarrhea

Throwing up and diarrhea can lead to dehydration Dehydration Everyone needs water and electrolytes (minerals, such as sodium and potassium, that help with many body functions) to be healthy. Normally, your body automatically balances your level of water... read more (not having enough water in your body), which is especially dangerous in older people and babies

To help prevent the spread of gastroenteritis, wash your hands after using the bathroom and avoid undercooked food

Gastroenteritis usually goes away on its own

You'll need extra fluids and sometimes medicines to help stop vomiting or diarrhea

Antibiotics don't usually help with gastroenteritis

Viruses, such as rotavirus Rotavirus Infection Rotavirus is a common virus that causes diarrhea (frequent, loose watery stool) and throwing up. The virus isn't dangerous in older children. But in babies and young children, a lot of diarrhea... read more

Parasites, such as Giardia Giardiasis Giardiasis is an infection of your small intestine by a microscopic parasite called Giardia. You can get giardiasis from drinking unclean water Sometimes you get giardiasis from other people... read more

Bacteria, such as E. coli Escherichia coli (E. coli) Infections Escherichia coli, often called simply E. coli, is a group of bacteria. There are different types of E. coli. Some types normally live in your intestines. If these E.... read more

Feeling sick to your stomach and throwing up

Belly rumbles or cramps

Diarrhea

Stool (poop) tests

Take small, frequent sips of fluid

Eat regular food as soon as your stomach feels up to it

Oral rehydration fluid, which you can get in a drug store or supermarket

Give you fluids by vein (IV)

Give you medicines to stop diarrhea and help your belly feel better

Give you medicine to get rid of parasites, if a parasite is causing your gastroenteritis

For certain rarer kinds of gastroenteritis, give you antibiotics

Washing hands well after using the bathroom and before preparing food

Cooking meat and eggs thoroughly

Not eating food from street vendors while traveling Traveler's Diarrhea Traveler’s diarrhea is diarrhea (loose, watery poop) you get while traveling in areas of the world where the water has germs in it because it isn't treated (purified) properly. In these areas... read more

Trying not to swallow water while swimming in lakes and oceans

Getting your children the rotavirus vaccine Rotavirus Vaccine The rotavirus vaccine is a live-virus vaccine that helps protect against gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus, which causes vomiting, diarrhea, and, if symptoms persist, dehydration and organ... read more

For babies, breastfeeding Breastfeeding Breast milk is the ideal food for newborns. Although babies may be fed breast milk or formula, the World Health Organization (WHO) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend exclusive... read more