If there was no sore throat, the child probably has gastroenteritis. The story recommended keeping the child hydrated with electrolyte solutions. Similarly, if you're trying to give your child acetaminophen to reduce fever but the child keeps throwing it up, try the suppository form. The article also reported that dehydration can be extremely dangerous, especially in infants, and to call a doctor if symptoms such as dry mouth, sunken eyes or not urinating all day occur. Do not give medicine to stop diarrhea, cautioned Dr. Sheeja Abraham, a pediatric gastroenterologist at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.
Diarrhea is the body's way of trying to rid itself of the infection.
If you stop it, the bacteria remains in the body. The article then went on to say that if other family members or the child's schoolmates simultaneously developed the same symptoms or those symptoms appeared with 12 hours after eating, it was probably food poisoning. The article noted that a mild case of food poisoning will look just like gastroenteritis and will correct itself with the same treatment in a day or two. More serious forms, such as E. coli and salmonella, can bring on bloody stools, extreme fatigue and muscle weakness. These will not get better without a doctor's intervention, so call your physician or head to the nearest hospital emergency room.