If your child suffers from diarrhoea or a runny tummy, vomits or refuses to breastfeed, then a sugar-salt solution is recommended. If the upset tummy or lack of appetite persists, it's best to take your child to the nearest clinic immediately.
Don't wait in the queue – please report to reception immediately.
3 Ways we can prevent infection in children and babies:
It's vital to wash your hands in between activities. In other words, if you've changed your baby’s nappy and are now going to feed him or her, you must wash or sanitise your hands first.
If your home doesn't have running water, it's helpful to keep a plastic bottle filled with water handy so you can rinse your hands with clean water after washing them.
Follow these 4 steps to make sure you’re washing your hands thoroughly:
2. Keep play and eating areas clean
It's important to wash toys, feeding bottles and dummies in hot, soapy water and rinse well. Teething toys must be kept separately and rinsed regularly. Don’t let garbage lie around or allow children to play in puddles as dirty water spreads disease.
3. Keep the area around your home clean
Be sure to clean up animal waste immediately. Don't leave garbage lying around as it attracts flies, which can cause illness. Other things that cause illness includes dirty water, broken toilets and contaminated food.
All Western Cape Government Health facilities have Oral Rehydration Treatment corners or rooms. Mothers and caregivers should visit these areas for information about the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea and how to make the sugar-salt solution when their children show early signs of diarrhoea.
How to identify diarrhoea
Your child is probably suffering from diarrhoea if they:
How to identify dehydration
If your child gets diarrhoea, check for the following signs of dehydration:
How to treat dehydration
If your child gets diarrhoea, give them the sugar-salt solution, a mixture of 8 teaspoons of sugar and a half teaspoon of salt in 1 litre of cooled, boiled water to prevent dehydration. If their condition doesn't improve, take them to your nearest clinic.
Getting tips and more information
Don’t wait in the queue – go straight to the receptionist for immediate attention. For more tips on managing diarrhoea, speak to a healthcare worker at your nearest clinic or listen to these diarrhoeal prevention and treatment radio adverts:
Prevention:
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