Download the Healthier Together App from the App Store or Google Play.
Tummy bugs are very common in young children and are almost always caused by a virus. They are easily spread around nurseries, schools and in families.
Click here to watch an Operation Ouch video on diarrhoea and vomiting that you can watch with your child.
Watch a local GP and health visitor talking about what they would look out for in a child with a runny tummy:
Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the ribs, or noisy breathing (grunting)
Breathing that stops or pauses
Is pale, blue, mottled or feels unusually cold to touch
Difficult to wake up, very sleepy or confused
Weak, high-pitched cry or can’t be settled
Has a fit (seizure)
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
● Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
● Additional advice is also available for families for help cope with crying in otherwise well babies
● If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111
Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.
● Make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluid. Small amounts often are best.
● Water is not enough and you need to make sure that your child is getting some sugar. This could be using diluted apple juice, squash containing sugar or Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). ORS can be purchased over the counter at large supermarkets and pharmacies and can help prevent dehydration from occurring.
● If using ORS, it is helpful add dilute squash (not “sugar-free” squash) to improve the taste
● Continue to offer your child their usual feeds, including breast and other milk feeds
● Do not worry if your child is not interested in solid food. If they are hungry, offer them plain food such as biscuits, bread, pasta or rice. Do not give them fizzy drinks.
● Your child may have tummy pain and you can use Paracetamol. For more information please look at our tummy pain page.
● Please do not use anti diarrhoea medicines in children
● Your child cannot return to nursery or school until 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea and vomiting
● You and your child should wash your hands with soap and then dry them carefully:
○ After going to the toilet
○ After changing nappies
○ Before touching food
● Your child should not share their towels with anyone
● Your child should not swim in a swimming pool until 2 weeks after the diarrhoea has stopped
Download 'Diarrhoea and Vomiting' advice sheet
The diagrams above are taken from www.whenshouldiworry.com
You can treat your child's very minor illnesses and injuries at home.
Some illnesses can be treated in your own home with support and advice from the services listed when required, using the recommended medicines and getting plenty of rest.
Children can recover from illness quickly but also can become more poorly quickly; it is important to seek further advice if a child's condition gets worse.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
Pharmacists are experts in many aspects of healthcare and can offer advice on a wide range of long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment and many have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call. Your pharmacist will say if you need further medical attention.
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Contacting the School Nurse
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
GPs assess, treat and manage a whole range of health problems. They also provide health education, give vaccinations and carry out simple surgical procedures. Your GP will arrange a referral to a hospital specialist should you need it.
You have a choice of service:
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.
