EVERY day up to five children under the age of five years old are brought to the emergency department at the Queen's Medical Centre because of vomiting or diarrhoea.
Parents are often worried that their children will become dehydrated or that they have a serious illness that needs urgent medical attention.
The truth is that vomiting and diarrhoea is usually caused by gastroenteritis, which is most commonly caused by a viral infection such as rotavirus.
Most children with diarrhoea and vomiting can be safely managed at home and do not need to attend the emergency department.
If your child has vomiting and diarrhoea you should continue to offer them the usual feeds (including breast milk) and encourage them to drink plenty of fluids, offering them small amounts frequently. Do not give fizzy drinks and discourage fruit juice.
Washing your hands and those of your child with soap and hot water before eating and drinking and after every vomit or loose stool is essential.
Do not share towels with your child if they are sick.
It is advised that children should not return to nursery for 48 hours following an episode.
Diarrhoea may persist for seven to 10 days and the symptoms do not routinely require antibiotics.
It is important to remember that every time antibiotics are used to treat mild conditions their effectiveness, for treating more serious conditions is reduced.
There will be times when urgent medical attention is required.
You need to seek help for your child if they become unresponsive, have pale or blotchy skin, have unusually cold hands and feet, are breathing faster than usual or if the vomit is green.
If your child has more than eight bouts of diarrhoea and five vomits in 24 hours or you see blood in the vomit, then you should also seek medical attention.
You should look for any potential signs that your child has dehydration. For example – they have not passed urine in the last 12 hours, are unusually sleepy, have sunken eyes, the soft spot at the top of your child's head is sunken more than usual or they have no tears.
If you are worried about your child or they are not improving with the treatment you are giving them please speak to your GP, health visitor or pharmacist. Alternatively you can call NHS 111 for further advice.