Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
Your child was seen in the ED for "viral gastroenteritis." This is an infection caused by a virus. It causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
Your child might have diarrhea, vomiting, or both. These symptoms usually start suddenly, and can be severe. They might also have a fever, headache or muscle aches, belly pain or cramping, or loss of appetite.
Viral gastroenteritis usually goes away on its own in a few days.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Offer your child fluids to stay hydrated. Start with small amounts:
•Children younger than 1 year – Give 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) of breast milk or formula every 5 to 15 minutes. It might be easiest to give this with a spoon or syringe. If your baby is not vomiting after 4 hours, slowly increase how much you give them over the next 4 hours. When they stop vomiting, you can go back to normal feeding.
•Children older than 1 year old – Have them sip small amounts of an oral electrolyte solution, such as Pedialyte. If they will not drink that, try a sports drink or juice mixed with an equal amount of water. Give younger children 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 mL) every 5 minutes. Increase this slowly if they do not vomit in 2 hours. Older children can slowly increase how much they drink as they feel ready.
●Have your older child suck on small ice chips if they are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down.
●Try to have your child eat when they are able. If they can keep food down, it's best to eat lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals. Avoid giving foods with a lot of fat or sugar, which can make symptoms worse.
●Wash your hands and your child's hands often. This helps prevent spreading the infection to others. Always wash hands before eating and after using the bathroom. It is especially important to wash your hands after changing a diaper.
●Do not give your child medicines to stop diarrhea, such as loperamide (brand names: Imodium, Diamode) or diphenoxylate and atropine (brand name: Lomotil).
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•You cannot wake your child.
•Your child passed out, seems very sleepy, or is breathing fast, and has 1 or more of these signs of severe fluid loss:
-Their skin is mottled and cool, and their hands and feet are blue.
-They do not urinate for 24 hours.
-Their eyes or soft spot is sunken.
●Return to the ED if:
•Your child cannot keep any fluids down, has not had anything to drink in many hours, and has 1 or more of the following:
-Your child is not as alert as usual, is very sleepy, or is much less active.
-Your child is crying all the time.
-Your infant has not had a wet diaper for over 8 hours.
-Your older child has not urinated for over 12 hours.
-Your child's skin is cool.
•Your child has a severe stomach ache.
•Your child has pain in the right lower part of their belly.
•Your child's vomit is green.
•Your child has blood in their vomit or bowel movements.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your child is having trouble feeding.
●Your child has a dry mouth.
●Your child has few or no tears when they cry.
●Your child's urine is dark.
●Your child is less active than usual.
●Your child has diarrhea that lasts longer than a few days.
●Your child vomits for longer than 24 hours.
●Your child has a fever that lasts longer than 3 days.
●Your child has new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Gastroenteritis in babies and children (The Basics)
