I think my child ate something wrong, what happened?

Just like its name, food poisoning came about when one consumes food that went bad, which includes harmful bacteria and viruses. When your little ones accidentally consume these unfavourable germs, it will lead to inflammation of the gut. Thus, upsetting your little ones’ stomach. Moreover, food poisoning is known to come about shortly after you consume food or drinks that contain such harmful bacteria or viruses.

Parents will start to realise that they have to deal with more messy diapers. Although food poisoning does occur in adults, children of a younger age are more likely to be exposed to these harmful germs. This is because children’s immune systems are not as strong compared to adults and they do not have as much stomach acid as well. As a result, children of a younger age group do not digest their food as well as adults.

Are there signs to help me identify food poisoning and differentiate it from diarrhoea?

It is undeniable that there are similarities between the symptoms of food poisoning and diarrhoea. Without a doubt, diarrhoea might be a sign of food poisoning. Here are some symptoms that will likely happen if your little ones have food poisoning:

• Stomach cramps
• Vomit
• Chills
• Fever

However, majority of the cases will recover upon sufficient rest and here are some other measures you can take to help your little ones recover:

• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid beverages with high sugar content

In any case, do seek advice from a doctor if your child has the following symptoms:

• Vomiting that took place for more than a day
• Fever higher than 39 Degree Celsius
• Blood in the faeces or vomit
• Severe dehydration
• Rapid heartbeat

Finally, food poisoning is strictly restricted to the food we consume while diarrhoea only occurs when the stool is watery and loose.

What are some precautions we can take?

Follow up, some tips to fend off food poisoning will be to:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Always clean your utensils and plates with dish wash and hot water to kill bacteria
• Separate raw and cooked food when handling
• Avoid consuming food that have passed the expiring date or smells bad

Should you observe persistent or even worsening symptoms, teleconsult a Paediatrician from SBCC Baby & Child Clinic and Thomson Paediatric Centre on the WhiteCoat app with your child. Experience the convenience of remote care for your child, and receive the required care and medication from the comfort of your own home. Click here to find out more about WhiteCoat’ Paediatrics service.

Credits: Alex Green