Management of vomiting in children and young people with gastroenteritis: ondansetron

What is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is a type of infection in the gut. Children and young people with gastroenteritis usually have loose or watery stools (diarrhoea) and may also be sick (vomit). Most children and young people with gastroenteritis get better quickly without treatment and can be looked after at home safely. However, severe diarrhoea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, which is when the body doesn't have enough water or the right balance of salts to carry out its normal functions. Children and young people who are dehydrated often feel and look unwell, and if the dehydration becomes severe it can be dangerous. Dehydration is more likely to occur in young babies, and in children and young people who haven't been able to drink enough during their illness or whose diarrhoea and vomiting has been severe.