Treatment for gastroenteritis varies according to the type and severity of the illness. Most cases resolve on their own within several days. Mild cases may be treated by replacing fluids and electrolytes (chemicals needed for normal body function) to prevent dehydration. Increasing fluid intake is particularly important for children because they become dehydrated faster than adults. Diarrhea that is caused by medications (e.g., antacids, antibiotics) is treated by stopping the drug.

Tips for replacing fluids include:

• Begin by drinking small amounts of clear liquids (4 or more ounces each hour) as tolerated. Soft drinks, tea, coffee, fruit juice and sports drinks should be avoided because they do not replace electrolytes appropriately.
  
  
• Drink plenty of oral rehydration solutions (liquids with glucose and electrolytes designed to replace fluids lost due to diarrhea) if diarrhea is severe. This is especially important for children. 
  
  
• Take antidiarrheal medications to ease symptoms of diarrhea. However, these medications should be avoided by children and patients experiencing a high fever or blood in the stools. Also, these medications should not be taken more than three days unless directed by a physician.

After vomiting subsides, patients may start to gradually eat solid foods. Some diet tips include:

• Eat foods that contain salt, such as crackers or pretzels, to replace lost sodium.
  
  
• Eat foods such as oatmeal, white rice, applesauce and bananas to help slow down bowel movements.
  
  
• Eat foods that are easy to digest, such as broth or chicken soup.
  
  
• Do not eat or drink foods and beverages, such as chewing gum and apple juice, that contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that worsens diarrhea.
  
  
• Limit intake of dairy products, fatty and greasy foods (e.g., pizza) and high-fiber foods (e.g., bran cereal, whole-grain breads) because they may worsen diarrhea.

Cases of gastroenteritis that cause severe dehydration may require hospitalization. Patients may receive fluids intravenously (through a vein). Patients may be given antidiarrheal medications to ease diarrhea or antiemetics to treat nausea and/or vomiting. Although antiemetics are not typically administered to children, research shows that one such drug may be effective in treating youngsters with gastroenteritis.

Patients are rarely given antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection. There are only a few types of gastroenteritis (such as shigellosis) that require antibiotic treatment. In fact, antibiotics can cause gastrointestinal infections in some people. Patients who have eaten foods contaminated with pesticides or other types of toxins may have their stomachs pumped (lavage) to remove the contents.

Researchers are also currently working to develop new treatments for gastroenteritis. For example, a molecule in coral has proven effective in fighting the virus that causes gastroenteritis, which may prove promising in the development of improved treatments.