Further information

Further information
If you are worried about your
child or family’s health contact
your GP, or:
NHS 111 for health advice and
out of hours GP appointments:
111
www.nhs.uk/birthtofive
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Your information will only be
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confidential. For your direct care
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GPs
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Medway Community Healthcare
provides a wide range of high
quality community health services
for Medway residents; from
community nurses and health
visitors to speech and language
therapists and out of hours urgent
care.
Diarrhoea and vomiting in children
Minimising the risks
Customer care
Please send any comments about
Medway Community Healthcare
services to: Customer care manager
Medway Community Healthcare
7-8 Ambley Green, Bailey Drive,
Gillingham, Kent, ME8 0NJ
p: 01634 382266
f: 01634 382700
medwaycustomercare@nhs.net
All contact will be treated confidentially
_________
Lealfet reference: MCH40.2
Infection prevention and
control team
7-8 Ambley Green
Gillingham ME8 0NJ
P: 01634 382276
F: 01634 382700
medch.infectioncontrol@nhs.net
This information can be made
available in other formats and
languages.
Please contact: Communications
on 01634 382211 or email
medch.communications@nhs.net
Medway Community Healthcare CIC
Registered office: Unit 5 Ambley Green, Bailey
Drive, Gillingham Business Park, Gillingham, Kent
ME8 0NJ Tel: 01634 382777
Registered in England and Wales,
Company number: 07275637
www.medwaycommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk
Information
How can you reduce the risk of infection spreading?
What is diarrhoea and vomiting?
Diarrhoea is when your baby frequently passes unformed
watery stools. Diarrhoea is usually caused by a virus and
may be present with vomiting. This is commonly known as
gastroenteritis.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms are unpleasant and the illness can impact
upon both your child and the family.
Symptoms can include:
abdominal pain
vomiting
frequent watery explosive stools
raised temperature
aching limbs
dehydration (this includes becoming more unwell and
a reduction in urine output).
The most effective way is good hygiene, especially hand
washing. Hands should be washed using soap and running
water, ensuring hands are dried properly.
Extra care should be taken in the home if diarrhoea and
vomiting is present. Keep work surfaces and toilets clean by
regularly using disinfectant. Teach your children from a young
age when to wash their hands. Avoid sharing hand towels, and
wash soiled items separately on a high temperature wash.
Always ensure formula feeds are prepared as stated on the tin
and sterilise bottle feeding equipment correctly. Please see the
NHS Birth to 5 Years book for more information or contact your
health visitor.
If you are concerned about your child or family member
please seek medical advice. Contact details can be found on
the back of this leaflet.
Who is at risk of developing diarrhoea and vomiting?
Everyone is at risk. Babies and young children in particular
are at risk of catching diarrhoea and vomiting. Some
individuals are at higher risk, including preterm babies, older
people and those with low immunity.
To reduce the risks of the infection spreading, limit your
contact with other people for 48 hours since the last
episode of vomiting or diarrhoea. This includes not
attending children’s centres, clinics, restaurants, cafes and
swimming pools.