What are the main signs and symptoms of acute gastroenteritis?

Diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps are common symptoms of AGE. Fever is present in some cases. Monitoring for signs of severe disease is important in high risk populations, such as pregnant people, older people, babies, and people with health conditions that weaken the immune system. Signs of severe disease include:

• Six or more loose stools in one day
• Vomiting frequently for more than 24 hours
• Severe abdominal pain
• Bloody or black stools
• Any change in mental state, such as confusion
• Signs of dehydration Fever is a concerning symptom in small children, and a feverish child should always be assessed by a doctor.^[1]