Sickness or Diarrhoea

Introduction 

Diarrhoea and vomiting are common in adults, children and babies and are often caused by a stomach bug. Diarrhoea usually stops within 5 to 7 days and vomiting in 1 or 2 days.

You can usually treat yourself or your child at home. The most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Do

• stay at home and get plenty of rest
• drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash – take small sips if you feel sick
• carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby – if they’re being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual
• give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds
• eat when you feel able to – you don’t need to eat or avoid any specific foods
• take paracetamol if you’re in discomfort – check the leaflet before giving it to your child

Don’t

• do not have fruit juice or fizzy drinks – they can make diarrhoea worse
• do not make baby formula weaker – use it at its usual strength
• do not give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea
• do not give aspirin to children under 16

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Information from NHS website