NSW Health is urging parents and carers to keep young children at home if they are sick following a reported outbreak of gastroenteritis.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
IN August, almost 100 childcare centres reported outbreaks of gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as gastro.
The government-owned healthdirect helpline experienced an almost 30 per cent increase in calls about children with symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in NSW compared to the same period last year - August 1 to September 11.
What are the symptoms?
Gastro symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pains, fever, headaches, and a reduction in appetite.
To see if your symptoms match those of gastro, visit healthdirect's symptom checker.
What to expect
Gastro should only last for a few days. It doesn't usually require medication.
Treatment
The most important thing to do is drink fluids - frequent sips are easier for children.
Keep drinking regularly even if vomiting is a symptom.
The commonwealth-funded Pregnancy, Birth and Baby service has advice on handwashing for children.
