Gastroenteritis | North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines that often results in diarrhea and/or vomiting. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis, normally called the stomach flu, is mostly caused by viruses like norovirus or rotavirus. It can also be caused by bacteria (e.g., shigella, E. coli, salmonella, campylobacter, and yersinia) or parasites (e.g., giardia).

More Information about Gastroenteritis

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

Gastroenteritis Fact Sheet

Diarrhea

People suffering from diarrhea experience frequent, loose, watery stools. This disorder can affect people of all ages but is particularly worrisome in the young and old because of the threat of dehydration. Diarrhea lasting for more than two days may be a sign of a more serious problem.

Signs and symptoms of diarrhea include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, or an urgent need to use the bathroom. Sometimes diarrhea may be accompanied by fever or bloody stools and/or severe pain in the abdominal or rectum

Camps, Schools, and Childcare Centres should exclude children if:

the stool is not contained in the diaper for diapered children
the diarrhea is causing "accidents" for toilet-trained children
the stool frequency is greater than two stools above normal for that child during the time the child is in the program
there is blood or mucus in the stool
the diarrhea is causing dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, or no urine output in eight hours)
the child is unable to participate and staff members determine they cannot care for the child without compromising their ability to care for the health and safety of the other children

Bristol Stool Chart

The Bristol Stool Chart classifies human stool into seven categories based on shape and consistency.

Type 1 and 2 occur with constipation
Type 3 and 4 are considered normal
Type 5, 6 and 7 occur with diarrhea

Vomiting

Vomiting is the exit of stomach contents through the mouth. Those with vomiting from an infection often have diarrhea and, sometimes, a fever.

Camps, Schools, and Childcare Centres should exclude children if

they are vomiting and it is not from a known condition for which the child has a care plan
there is vomiting and a fever
the vomit appears green or bloody
there is no urine output in eight hours (may suggest dehydration)
there is recent history of head injury
the child looks or acts very ill
the child is unable to participate and staff members determine they cannot care for the child without compromising their ability to care for the health and safety of the other children in the group

Reporting

Report to the Health Unit immediately by fax (705-482-067) and phone at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5299 if an outbreak is suspected or confirmed as per Ontario Regulation 135/18 and amendments under the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O., c.H.7.

An outbreak should be suspected when there are more cases than normal, based on surveillance data.

An outbreak is confirmed when there are two or more cases with an epidemiological link (e.g., same unit or floor, same caregiver) within 48 hours.

An enteric case is a resident/patient/child/camper or staff with two or more episodes of vomiting and/or diarrhea in a 24-hour period that cannot be explained by other causes (e.g., medication side effects, laxatives, diet or prior medical condition).

See the Quick Reference for Detecting Outbreaks for additional information.

Should one go to childcare, school, camp, or work if they have gastroenteritis?

Exclude until the individual has been at least 48 hours without symptoms. Once a specific causative agent is known, disease-specific exclusions apply.

Follow the direction of your healthcare provider, public health case manager, or occupational health at your workplace.

Note: Exclusion guidelines may differ for healthcare workers, food handlers, and individuals working with children.

Healthcare provider and community partner information

Treatment

Treatment is under the direction of the attending healthcare provider and will depend on the causative agent.

Infection prevention and control

Additional Precautions

Initiate contact precautions for cases and place in a single room if possible. Continue precautions until C. difficile and norovirus or other viral agents ruled out or until 48 hours after symptoms have resolve. Refer to the PIDAC document Routine Practices and Additional Precautions in All Health Care Settings for additional information. p.79

Cleaning and Disinfection

See the PIDAC document Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning for Infection Prevention and Control. p.110

Laboratory testing

Given the variability of aetiologic agent, consult with laboratory about appropriate testing methodologies. Laboratory diagnosis depends on the aetiologic agent. Clinical specimens should be collected from symptomatic cases early in the course of clinical illness to increase the likelihood of detecting a causative agent.

For further information about human diagnostic testing, contact the Public Health Ontario Laboratories:

Gastroenteritis - Enteric Viruses

More resources

Ministry of Health - Ontario Public Health Standards

Infectious Disease Protocol: Appendix 1: Case Definitions and Disease-Specific Information: Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Institutions and Public Hospitals

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

Contact our Communicable Disease Control (CDC) program at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5229, or by email to cdc@healthunit.ca for more information.

Last updated: May 2026, by CDC