- Viral gastroenteritis attacks the cells that line the wall of the small intestine, causing watery diarrhea and vomiting---which can lead to dehydration, especially in babies. Symptoms of dehydration in infants and babies include any or all of the following: decreased tears, little to no urine (for six hours or more) or dark-yellow urine, cool hands and feet, a sunken soft spot, excessive sleepiness or fussiness, extreme thirst (sometimes exhibited by dry lips) and fever. According to the NIH, rotavirus is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in young children and infants and, unlike other viruses that cause this illness, it can be detected in stool. Thus, to make a diagnosis, a doctor may opt to test a child's stool sample in addition to performing a physical exam on the young patient. In babies, acute symptoms due to rotavirus infection can last anywhere from three to eight days.
- Although there is no cure for gastroenteritis, you can relieve your baby's symptoms by keeping him/her hydrated. Your baby may not tolerate breast milk or formula while he/she is suffering acute symptoms of the virus, so opt for electrolyte-replacement drinks like Pedialyte, Rehydralyte or Enfalyte until the baby can eat again. It is important to note that, while drinking fluids can cure mild dehydration, severe dehydration requires hospitalization and the administering of IV fluids.
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