Gastroenteritis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Care

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Decrease activity until you feel better or the diarrhea and vomiting are gone.
• Take clear liquids, such as ginger ale, cola, water, tea, broth, and gelatin, for the first 24 hours or until the diarrhea and vomiting stops. During the next 24 hours, you may eat bland foods such as cooked cereals, rice, soup, bread, crackers, baked potatoes, eggs, or applesauce. Do not eat fruits, vegetables, fried or spicy foods, bran, candy, dairy products such as milk or ice cream, or alcoholic beverages. You may resume your normal diet after 2 to 3 days.
• Drink 8 to 12 glasses of liquid a day. Most problems are caused by loss of water through vomiting and diarrhea.
• You may take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for fever and muscle aches.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• Your symptoms last for more than 3 days.
• You have severe pain in the abdomen (area around the stomach) or rectum.
• You have a high temperature.
• You find blood, mucus, or worms in your stool.
• You have signs of water loss, including dry mouth, excessive thirst, crinkled skin, little or no urination, dizziness, or light-headedness.