Complication of Gastroenteritis: Dehydration
Dehydration (low water in the body) is the most serious and life-threatening complication of gastroenteritis. Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea result in the loss of fluids as well as electrolytes from the body, causing dehydration.1
If one is otherwise healthy, and are drinking enough fluids to replace the loss, then, he or she need not worry about dehydration. However, infants, older adults, and people with low immunity become dehydrated quickly. Monitor them carefully to catch the signs of dehydration early. Extreme dehydration can be fatal.
Signs of dehydration in adults:
A child maybe dehydrated if he or she shows any of the following signs:
- Does not wet a diaper in 6 h
- Has a sunken fontanel (soft area on the top of the baby’s head)
- Is drowsy or unresponsive
Severely dehydrated children and adults will require hospitalization, where fluids and electrolytes will be replaced intravenously (through a vein).
Next page: Treatment for gastroenteritis
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 08, 2012