Gastroenteritis

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Chills
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or stomach cramps
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Blood and/or mucous in the stool

Symptom onset and length of time it is considered contagious varies, depending on the cause. 

Germs can be found in the stool or vomit of infected people and spread easily to others:

• by eating food or drinking liquid that is contaminated 
• if they touch their mouth after touching contaminated surfaces or objects
• when in direct contact with an infected person who has symptoms
• contact with animals (e.g., pets, farm animals, reptiles) can also spread germs

Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. 

SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IF THERE ARE ANY CONCERNS.

Prevention

Those with diarrhea and/or vomiting should not prepare meals or feed others. If absolutely necessary, do proper hand washing prior to preparing food and before feeding someone. 

Clean and disinfect washrooms and commonly touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, taps, counter and tabletops, light switches, etc.) more frequently. 

Hand washing is the most important way to stop the spread of infectious gastroenteritis. Wash hands often with warm water and soap for at least 15 minutes or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially:

• after diaper changes, toileting, or using the bathroom
• after handling pets, animals, their food or treats, or their waste
• for children who have diarrhea, especially if they are still in diapers

Safe Food Handling

• Wash fruits and vegetables, especially if eating raw.
• Separate raw food from cooked food.
• Wash hands, utensils, chopping boards, and surfaces carefully after handling raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
• Cook meat, poultry, and eggs thoroughly.
• Eat foods soon after they are cooked.
• Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
• Reheat cooked foods adequately.
• Store cooked foods appropriately and store foods in closed containers in a safe place.
• Always use water that has been treated or tested.

Diarrhea is an illness in which someone develops more watery or more frequent stools than is typical for that person. It can be caused by changes in diet (like drinking an excessive amount of fruit juice), eating more than the usual amount of some foods, and the use of some medications. It can also be the result of a problem with the intestines or infections with some viruses, bacteria, parasites, and toxins produced by certain bacteria.

Signs and symptoms include frequent loose or watery stools, stomach cramps and pain, fever, not feeling well, and/or blood in the stool.

Camps, Schools, and Childcare Centres should exclude children if:

• the stool is not contained in the diaper for diapered children
• the diarrhea is causing "accidents" for toilet-trained children
• the stool frequency is greater than two stools above normal for that child during the time the child is in the program
• there is blood or mucus in the stool
• the diarrhea is causing dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, or no urine output in eight hours)
• the child is unable to participate and staff members determine they cannot care for the child without compromising their ability to care for the health and safety of the other children

Bristol Stool Chart

The Bristol Stool Chart classifies human stool into seven categories based on shape and consistency.

• Type 1 and 2 occur with constipation
• Type 3 and 4 are considered normal
• Type 5, 6 and 7 occur with diarrhea

Vomiting is the exit of stomach contents through the mouth. Those with vomiting from an infection often have diarrhea and, sometimes, a fever.

Camps, Schools, and Childcare Centres should exclude children if

• they are vomiting more than two times in a 24-hour period and vomiting is not from a known condition for which the child has a care plan
• there is vomiting and a fever
• the vomit appears green or bloody
• there is no urine output in eight hours (may suggest dehydration)
• there is recent history of head injury
• the child looks or acts very ill
• the child is unable to participate and staff members determine they cannot care for the child without compromising their ability to care for the health and safety of the other children in the group