Patient Education| 2021 Gastroenteritis: When Your Child Needs Hospital Care Connected Content Translation: La gastroenteritis: En qué casos su hijo necesita cuidado hospitalario: (Gastroenteritis: When Your Child Needs Hospital Care) Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Gastroenteritis: When Your Child Needs Hospital Care. Pediatric Patient Education 2021; 10.1542/peo_document218 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All AAP SitesAll PublicationsPediatric Patient Education Search Advanced Search Gastroenteritis is a common childhood illness that causes diarrhea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration. It is usually caused by a virus but can also be caused by bacteria or a parasite. Most of the time mild diarrhea and vomiting last for just a few days. However, if symptoms don't go away or they get worse, your child may need to be treated in the hospital. Call your child's doctor if your child is younger than 6 months and has any of the following: Blood in the stoolFrequent vomitingStomach painUrinates less often (Wets fewer than 6 diapers per day.)No tears when cryingLoss of appetite for liquidsHigh fever (over 102°F or 39°C)Frequent diarrheaDry, sticky mouthWeight lossExtreme thirst The biggest concern with gastroenteritis is dehydration, which occurs when a child loses too much... Copyright © 20082008 American Academy of Pediatrics You do not currently have access to this content.