IN last week’s County Gazette we told you about a new app just launched by two doctors at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital.

The HANDi App gives parents information, care plans and guidelines on what they need to do and the treatment their child will receive for six of the most common childhood illnesses.

In the second part of this series this week we look at diarrhoea and vomiting (gastroenteritis).

Q: What is gastroenteritis?

A: A tummy bug with loose, watery poo (diarrhoea) and vomiting. Children may also have tummy ache, fever, headache, and aching arms and legs. Most tummy bugs are caused by virus infections.

Q: How long will it last?

A: Diarrhoea tends to last five to seven days and vomiting for one to three days. It can take up to two weeks to feel better again.

Q: What can I do to make my child feel better?

A: Drinking little and often can help replace the fluid and reduce the vomiting. Oral rehydration solution (eg dioralyte) is the recommended drink (available from supermarkets and pharmacies).

Children need to have two to three sips of drink every five minutes. Breast-fed infants should continue breast-feeding, but with more frequent feeds.

You could also try offering extra oral rehydration solution between feeds.

Paracetamol or ibuprofen will help high temperatures and pain, but anti-diarrhoea medicines are not recommended for children.

Q: What food and drink to avoid?

A: Fizzy drinks, ‘flat coke’, or high-energy sugary drinks as the high salt and sugar content can be harmful.

Children should only eat when they feel hungry.

Try to stick to plain foods if you can initially, but also go with what your child ‘fancies’ – within normal limits!

Q: When can they go back to school/nursery?

A: Not until 48 hours after their last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.

Q: How can we stop the rest of the family getting ill?

A: Everyone should wash their hands with soap and water, and dry them carefully after going to the toilet, changing a nappy and before preparing food.

Q: When should I seek help?

Red Flag Signs: Looking very unwell or becoming unconscious; has dark, sunken eyes; breathing faster than normal; pale or mottled skin; cold hands and feet; blood stained or dark green vomit. Get help immediately by phoning 999 or attending your emergency department.

Amber Flag Signs: Not had a drink or wee in the last 12 hours; dry mouth and lips; more than three vomits or six runny poos in the last 24 hours with poor drinking; under a year of age. P

hone your GP or NHS111 for further advice.

Be prepared to answer questions on which ‘amber sign’ you have identified.

Green Flag Signs: Diarrhoea and vomiting with no red or amber flag signs. Follow the home care plan available in the app.

If you want to know how your GP, emergency department or paediatric team will assess your baby/child, download the free app today.

For more information visit www.musgrovepark hospital.nhs.uk/handi or download the app using the Apple/Google Play app stores and searching for HANDi Taunton.

Musgrove wants to make the app as good as it can be, so feel free to send Dr Whiting and Dr Bridges further questions about diarrhoea and vomiting (gastroenteritis) not answered by the app by emailing HANDi@tst.nhs.uk

This will inform future versions of the app, making it relevant and useful for families in Somerset