Runny stomach: how to help your child

LIFESTYLE NEWS - The Western Cape Department of Health is warning about the heightened risk of children contracting diarrhoea currently.

A total of 400 children under the age of five were treated for diarrhoea without dehydration at health facilities in the Garden Route District from November until end of December 2020.

A further 105 were admitted to hospital for treatment. The Western Cape Government Health’s annual Paediatric Surge Season (PSS) is from November to end May – a time during which health facilities have an increased number of patients suffering from gastroenteritis.

Staff are on high alert for patients, especially children under five, that show signs of dehydration, due to gastro, which remains one of the main causes of illness and death in children under the age of five. Facilities have an Oral Hydration Solution (ORS) corner and portable water bags have been distributed to crèches, where access to water is limited. There are also fast lanes at facilities for babies and toddlers with diarrhoea.

Causes and prevention
Diarrhoea is a highly infectious virus that thrives in hot weather, is transmitted by flies and preys on babies and children.

Children who are malnourished and those who have not been immunised and perhaps have other illnesses, are far more likely to contract gastro and develop fatal complications as a result.

Some of the leading causes of diarrhoea are dirty water, dirty toilets, unwashed hands, bottle feeding, uncontained waste (illegal dumping), contaminated food and flies.

It might not always be possible, but we should always aim to keep our hands, food, cooking utensils and toilets clean, the Health Department advises.

Dustbins must be closed, animal droppings collected and thrown away, and food scrapings, used nappies and sanitary towels put into a plastic bag, knotted securely and thrown into a dustbin.

Remember to wash your hands after completing these tasks.

Try the oral rehydration solution to replenish lost body fluids. Take the solution with you should you need to take your child to the clinic so that your child does not dehydrate on the way. Using a clean one-litre bottle, mix one litre cooled boiled water with ½ a teaspoon of salt and 8 teaspoons of sugar. Mix well.