When Should You Take Your Ward to the Emergency Room for a Gastrointestinal Illness?

2 minute read

Some doctors and public health professionals have recently seen an upsurge in the number of youngsters presenting with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Knowing what causes those symptoms and when to seek medical attention for them, on the other hand, might be difficult.

Gastroenteritis usually causes GI symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Gastroenteritis, also known as the "stomach bug" or "stomach flu," is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Gastroenteritis is the second most prevalent ailment in the United States, according to the National Library of Medicine.

How Can You Tell If Your Child's Stomach Pain Is Due to COVID-19?

The only way to tell if your child's GI issues are caused by COVID-19 is to have a COVID-19 test. If you suspect your child has COVID-19, consult with your pediatrician to decide the appropriate form of test.

"I'd be more likely to consider COVID-19 over other viruses if the diarrhea or vomiting occurred in the context of a known COVID-19 exposure or if those symptoms were followed by other symptoms more consistent with COVID-19, such as fever, cough, sore throat, and body pains," Dr. Hoehn says.

When Should You Take Your Child to the Emergency Room?

The majority of gastroenteritis cases recover on their own within a few days and do not require medical intervention. Whether your child's GI problems are due to gastroenteritis or a possible COVID-19 infection, you should take them to the ER (or schedule a same-day visit with a pediatrician) if their vomiting and diarrhea linger more than a few days or if they show signs of dehydration.

I emphasize the need of monitoring for signs of dehydration since fluid loss and an inability to replenish fluids can lead to renal failure or other serious complications. Typical symptoms include:

For young children, little or no urination for six hours or longer, or a minimum of three wet diapers in a 24-hour period. If your child's output is less than that, you should seek medical attention.