Common Baby and Childhood Illnesses and Ailments- Stomach

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	The chart below summarizes common childhood illnesses and ailments that present with: vomiting, diarrhea, gas, constipation, tummy aches, poor appetite, bloody stools, and/or poor weight gain. Note: This chart is only a guide and should not replace your doctor's advice.

Illness/Ailment/Skin Condition	What Are The Signs and Symptoms?	Is It Contagious?
Blood Infection Requires immediate medical attention	High fever, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability. Sometimes the only symptom is fever. Sleepy, lethargic; pale; respiratory problems; fluctuating temperature.	Can be, depending on the culprit
Cat Scratch Disease	Chronically swollen, tender glands in neck, head, and under arms, especially if child has been bitten or scratched by a cat; mild fever; headache; fatigue; poor appetite.	No
Colic	Cries uncontrollably for more than three hours/day, three days/week for at least three weeks, may be most intense in evening; alternately pulls up and extends legs; may be gassy. Most common in babies under age 3 months.	No
Constipation	Less frequent bowel movements (especially if none in three days); obvious discomfort while passing stool; dry, hard stools. Usually starts with the introduction of solid foods at age 4 to 6 months.	No
Dehydration	More than six hours without a wet diaper; dry mouth; lethargy; sunken soft spot on head; sunken eyes; skin that does not bounce back when pinched and released; irritability; increased heart rate and respiratory rate.	No
Flu	Severe cold symptoms, dry cough, stuffy/runny nose, fatigue. Possibly fever over 103° F, shortness of breath, wheezing, malaise, loss of appetite, vomiting. Onset is usually abrupt.	Yes; contagious from 2 days before symptoms appear and until approximately 1-2 weeks after symptoms have disappeared
Food Allergy Requires immediate medical attention if severe	Occurs after contact with a particular food. May have dry, itchy rash on various parts of the body. May present with itching and swelling of face, lips, and mouth; hives; watery eyes and runny nose; vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing.	No
Food Poisoning (E.Coli, Salmonella, Shigella, etc.)	Vomiting, diarrhea mixed with blood or mucous, fever, body aches, abdominal pain.	Yes; until diarrhea stops and stool is formed.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)	May eat well or refuse food. May cry suddenly (resembling colic). Frequently spits up or vomits. May lose weight. May wheeze, cough, or gag.	No
Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) (Viral-Rotavirus)	Diarrhea; vomiting; abdominal pain; fever; chills; achiness. If bacterial infection, blood may be present in stool.	Yes; until diarrhea and vomiting have stopped.
Hepatitis (A,B,C)	Fever; listlessness; vomiting; loss of appetite; jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). May be asymptomatic (no symptoms).	A-Yes; through stool of infected person. B- Yes; through contact with blood and body fluids of infected person. C- Yes; through contact with blood and body fluids of infected person.
Incarcerated (Strangulated) Hernia Requires immediate medical attention	Lump in the genital area (inguinal hernia) or near the belly button (umbilical hernia) that suddenly becomes larger, harder, or darker, and cannot be easily "pushed back in". May vomit.	No
Intussusception Requires immediate medical attention	Sudden onset of pain; vomiting; lethargic; passing bloody, mucous stools.	No
Lactose Intolerance	Fussiness after feeding; gas; bloating; diarrhea; foul-smelling stools.	No
Meningitis (Group B Strep and Strep Pneumoniae) Requires immediate medical attention	High fever, vomiting, irritable, poor appetite, bulging soft spot on head; stiff neck; sensitivity to light; lethargy; poor feeding; diarrhea; cold hands and feet; rash or blotchy skin; difficulty breathing; seizure.	Yes; can be contagious up to 2 weeks (depending on the culprit).
Milk Allergy Requires immediate medical attention if severe	Hives; rash; trouble breathing; wheezing; swelling; vomiting; diarrhea; gas; blood in stool; failure to gain weight usually occurring immediately or within a couple of hours after ingesting milk.	No
Milk Protein Intolerance	Gas; diarrhea; vomiting; colic; bloating; bloody stools; refusal to eat; eczema; coughing; wheezing usually occurring immediately or within a couple of hours after ingesting milk.	No
Overfeeding	Vomits during or after large feedings.	No
Overheating	Flushed face, irritability, lack of appetite, damp hair, and/or heat rash due to warm environment.	No
Poisoning Call Poison Control Center immediately (800-222-1222) or 911 if breathing becomes labored or baby becomes unconscious.	Vomiting; diarrhea; excessive perspiration; fatigue; convulsions; labored breathing (wheezing, apnea, stridor, etc.); unconsciousness.	No
Pyloric Stenosis Requires immediate medical attention…THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY!	Forceful "projectile" vomiting after feeding which can lead to dehydration; persistent hunger; weight loss; lethargic. May have infrequent bowel movements. May become jaundice.	No
Reye's Syndrome Requires immediate medical attention	Associated with taking aspirin. Abrupt, persistent vomiting occurring with recent viral infection; drowsiness; personality changes; fever; diarrhea; convulsions; seizures; or may become unconscious. Very rare but can be fatal.	No
Roseola (Sixth Disease; Baby Measles) (Herpes Virus 6 or Herpes Virus 7)	Sudden onset of high fever between 101° and 105°F for two to five days; irritable; bulging soft spot; swollen glands in neck; runny nose; diarrhea; swollen eyes. May have runny nose before or with the fever. After fever breaks, a rash appears on torso, spreading to neck, face, and arms.	Yes; through respiratory droplets, saliva, or feces.
Teething	Drooling, gum sensitivity, irritability, biting/gnawing, difficulty feeding, difficulty sleeping, runny nose, loose bowel movements, low-grade fever. May pull on ear.	No
Thrush	White patches in mouth and on tongue that looks like milk but does not scrape off easily (and is not painful). May be irritable and refuse to eat.	Yes; until after 24 hours of anti-fungal treatment.
Urinary Tract Infection	Irritability; cloudy, bloody, or foul-smelling urine; fever. May have vomiting and/or diarrhea.	No