Vomiting and diarrhea are two of the most common symptoms in childhood illnesses. Most cases of vomiting and/or diarrhea are caused by a viral infection and will go away without specific treatment. Vomiting usually lasts less than one day. Diarrhea can last up to a week. The main goal of treatment of both symptoms is to prevent dehydration.

The primary treatment of both diarrhea and vomiting is dietary changes. For vomiting, the most important treatment is clear liquids. In infants this means an oral rehydration fluid such as Pedialyte® or Infalyte®, unless your baby is breast feeding. Breast -fed babies should continue to breast feed unless the vomiting is very severe and prolonged. Older children should be given flat soda, juice, popsicles, or jello. Milk is best avoided, as it will likely make the vomiting worse. It is important to start with small amounts of liquids every ten or fifteen minutes. If the child holds down this amount, you can gradually increase the volume with subsequent feedings. The most common mistake that parents make is to not give fluids to a vomiting child. This will only make it more likely that your child will got dehydrated. Once your child has gone eight hours without vomiting, it is safe to try some bland solid foods such as crackers, toast and rice.

The treatment of diarrhea also involves frequent fluids to make up for losses in the diarrhea. Apple juice and milk are best avoided, as they will often make diarrhea worse. Once vomiting has stopped certain solid foods will be helpful in stopping the diarrhea. The diet is known as the BRAT diet for Bananas, Rice or Rice cereal, Apple sauce and Toast. Other binding foods include boiled or mashed potatoes and pasta.

There is almost never a reason to use medication of any kind in the treatment of diarrhea or vomiting in children. Tylenol is an exception and can be used if your child has fever or pain in addition to these symptoms. Tylenol is available in suppository (Feverall®) for those who can't keep it down. There is almost never a reason to use medication of any kind in the treatment of diarrhea or vomiting in children. Tylenol is an exception and can be used if your child has fever or pain in addition to these symptoms. Tylenol is available in suppository form (Feverall®) for those who can't keep oral medicine down.

In children with vomiting and diarrhea it is important to watch for signs of dehydration. A child who is urinating, has saliva in the mouth and tears when crying is not dehydrated. If your child has not urinated in 8 hours you should call us to discuss possible dehydration. Please call also if your child has blood in their stool or vomit, a stiff neck, a severe headache, severe abdominal pain or if they are difficult to waken.