Vomiting and Diarrhoea in Dubai: A Complete Guide to Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis in the UAE: A Year-Round Problem

Gastroenteritis — inflammation of the stomach and intestines causing vomiting and diarrhoea — is one of the most common acute illnesses seen at Al Das Medical Clinic. Unlike many countries where gastroenteritis peaks in a single season, the UAE experiences cases year-round due to its unique climate:

• Summer (May–September): Bacterial gastroenteritis rises sharply. Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli thrive in the heat, contaminating food that is improperly stored or handled.
• Winter (November–February): Viral gastroenteritis increases. Norovirus and rotavirus spread more easily as people gather indoors, attend events, and share food at barbecues and camping trips.

The Dubai Health Authority's clinical guidelines recognise gastroenteritis as a significant public health concern, particularly for children, where dehydration can develop rapidly.

Viral vs Bacterial: Understanding the Difference

Knowing whether your illness is viral or bacterial helps guide treatment decisions:

Symptoms: Mild to Severe

Typical symptoms:

• Sudden onset of nausea and vomiting
• Watery diarrhoea (3 or more loose stools in 24 hours)
• Abdominal cramps and bloating
• Low-grade fever (37.5–38.5°C)
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle aches and fatigue

Warning signs of dehydration (the primary danger):

In the UAE, dehydration from gastroenteritis is particularly dangerous because ongoing fluid losses from vomiting and diarrhoea are compounded by insensible losses from the heat. A patient who might recover safely in a cooler climate can deteriorate quickly in 45°C heat.

Managing Gastroenteritis at Home

Most cases of gastroenteritis resolve within 1–3 days with appropriate home care. The priority is preventing dehydration:

Fluid replacement:

• Oral rehydration solution (ORS) is the gold standard — available at all UAE pharmacies without prescription
• Sip small amounts frequently (a tablespoon every 5 minutes) rather than drinking large volumes
• If ORS is unavailable, dilute apple juice or clear broth can help
• Avoid fizzy drinks, undiluted fruit juice, and caffeinated beverages
• For breastfed infants, continue breastfeeding on demand with ORS supplementation

Diet:

• Do not force food — appetite will return naturally
• When ready, start with bland foods: plain rice, toast, crackers, bananas
• Avoid dairy, fatty foods, and high-fibre foods for 48 hours after symptoms resolve
• Probiotics (Lactobacillus-based) may shorten illness duration by 12–24 hours

Medication:

• Paracetamol for fever and body aches
• Anti-emetics (ondansetron) may be prescribed by your doctor for severe vomiting
• Do not take loperamide (Imodium) if you have fever or bloody diarrhoea — it can trap bacteria in the intestine
• Antibiotics are not appropriate for most gastroenteritis and can worsen certain infections (particularly E. coli O157)

When to Visit Al Das Medical Clinic

Seek medical attention if:

• You cannot keep any fluids down for more than 6 hours
• Diarrhoea persists beyond 3 days without improvement
• You notice blood or mucus in your stool
• Fever exceeds 39°C
• You experience severe abdominal pain (not just cramping)
• Signs of moderate or severe dehydration develop
• You are pregnant, diabetic, or immunocompromised
• A child under 2 has persistent vomiting or diarrhoea
• An infant shows signs of dehydration (fewer than 3 wet nappies in 24 hours)
• Symptoms began within 12 hours of eating raw seafood or undercooked poultry

What to Expect at the Clinic

When you visit Al Das for gastroenteritis, your doctor will:

1. Assess hydration — checking skin turgor, capillary refill, blood pressure, and heart rate
2. Take a focused history — onset, frequency of vomiting/diarrhoea, fluid intake, recent travel or food exposure
3. Examine the abdomen — ruling out surgical causes of pain
4. Request investigations if needed — stool culture, blood tests for inflammatory markers, kidney function
5. Provide IV fluids — if you are moderately to severely dehydrated or unable to tolerate oral fluids
6. Prescribe targeted treatment — anti-emetics, electrolyte replacement, and antibiotics only if bacterial infection is confirmed

Most patients improve significantly within 24 hours of adequate rehydration.

Preventing Gastroenteritis in the UAE

Food safety:

• Follow the two-hour rule — refrigerate all perishables within two hours of preparation (one hour in summer)
• Reheat leftovers to at least 74°C throughout
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water

Hygiene:

• Wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom and before eating
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitiser when soap is unavailable
• Clean and disinfect surfaces after someone in the household is ill
• Do not prepare food for others while symptomatic (and for 48 hours after symptoms resolve)

At gatherings and events:

• Be cautious with buffet food that has been sitting at room temperature
• Avoid sharing utensils or drinking glasses
• If camping or barbecuing, keep raw and cooked food strictly separate

For children:

• Ensure rotavirus vaccination is up to date (part of the UAE childhood immunisation schedule)
• Teach thorough handwashing technique
• Keep symptomatic children home from school or nursery until 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea

"The biggest mistake I see is patients waiting too long to seek help. In Dubai's climate, a healthy adult can become significantly dehydrated within 12 hours of persistent vomiting and diarrhoea. If you cannot keep fluids down, do not wait — come in for IV rehydration. It makes an enormous difference to recovery speed." — Dr. Raef Ghattas, General Practitioner

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