Gastroenteritis, 'gastro', 'a stomach bug' or 'stomach flu' - are terms used to refer to a bowel infection that causes diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting and fever. Although everyone is at risk, children younger than five years are more likely to get gastro.

Vomiting and diarrhoea cause loss of body fluids and babies and young children can easily become dehydrated. The main treatment for gastro is to replace the lost fluids. Check to see if your child has symptoms of dehydration.

Children with gastro are usually looked after at home, but hospital treatment may be needed if a child becomes very dehydrated.

Bacterial gastroenteritis or gastro is usually due to an infection that causes diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting and fever.

What causes it?