Diarrhoea outbreak in Kilkenny
In the past two weeks we've seen a lot of gastroenteritis in the Kilkenny area – most of it viral in origin. Individual GPs have been seeing up to five cases a day each – mostly children, but some adults. Some have required hospitalisation.
Rotavirus is the probable culprit. This problem is typical for this time of year. The bug causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and sometimes fever and muscle pains.
Full recovery generally occurs after a few uncomfortable days. However small children and the elderly may experience more serious problems. It's therefore important to know what to do if diarrhoea occurs in your home or family.
Gastroenteritis causes the rapid loss of fluid and salt through the bowel. Vomiting adds to the dehydration. Therefore the solution requires simply replacing what has been lost.
Antibiotics make the problem worse and should not be used. Water, sugar and salt are needed. The ideal fluid replacement is a sachet like Rapolyte – the blackcurrant flavour is acceptable to most children and adults.
Use sweet drinks like Rapolyte or flat 7Up (boiled and cooled to take the fizz out), and give little-and-often. 2/3 ounces given every ten minutes is ideal.
Avoid milk, yoghurt and dairy products if you have the runs. They worsen the problem.
This is especially so when dealing with small babies. Diarrhoea causes temporary lactase deficiency, so the baby cannot digest the lactose in milk. Milk now irritates the tummy causing more diarrhoea or vomiting.
So avoid milk during the first 24 hours of treatment. With serious diarrhoea it is sensible to stop all milk and dairy products for up to four days, to allow lactase levels to build up again.
Fluid, salt and sugar replacement are key to treating tummy bugs. Drugs are generally not needed for small children, though sometimes a Motilium suppository can abort persistent vomiting.
Likewise anti-diarrhoeal agents should not be given to children. Adults may use Arret, Immodium or Lomotil to arrest an episode of diarrhoea – but always follow the exact instructions on the box.
Rest your tummy from food for 24 hours if you get the runs. Take sugary drinks only until it settles, and then go back on your food slowly and gently.
If you get a fever use Paracetamol. Calpol is best for children. Both should be given six-hourly as needed. Avoid Nurofen if you are vomiting. It may upset the tummy further, and worsen vomiting. As a general rule, Nurofen should not be used where there is tummy pain.
Blood in the stool may suggest a nastier bug, and should prompt a stool test that is sent to the lab. Fortunately this is not often required.
Dehydration is the biggest enemy – especially in the very young or the elderly. The key is to give fluids – but not plain water. Always use sugary drinks. Plain water replacement can cause its own problems.
Be sensible with hand hygiene, especially when there is a bug in the house. Wash your hands frequently, particularly when handling food.
Toilet hygiene is especially important. Always wash your hands after going to the loo. And dry your hands carefully. Don't take chances. Changing your baby's soiled nappy can also be a source of infecting yourself. Be careful.
Lastly, we see the winter vomiting bug in our local hospitals at this time of year. It is essential to prevent it passing around. If your tummy is not right, don't visit your loved-ones in the hospital. Wait till you're better.
This spell of gastroenteritis will end sooner or later. We must all play our part to prevent further cases. Good hygiene, vigilance and doing the right thing, are vital in preventing loss of life during outbreaks of gastroenteritis.
Hand washing is perhaps the most important tool we can use. It is also the simplest thing to do – and yet is the one thing that most of us forget at times. So, wash those hands!
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Weather for Kilkenny
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
