While stomach flu is not a serious illness, it can lead to unnecessary hospitalizations if not properly treated. So spot the symptoms, check out the basic dos and don'ts and learn when to call your doctor.
Basic Facts
Stomach flu or stomach bug could be caused by several viruses such as rotavirus which is common during winter months, or the adenovirus and echovirus, which strike during summer and spring, Parenting.com reports. While this does not pose any serious danger to your child, the stomach bug can get severe if not treated carefully.
Each year, 18,500 children under age 5 are hospitalized according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While vaccines help decrease the number of cases, there are still 15,000 reported cases of kid hospitalization due to stomach flu, Parents.com reports.
Normally, your kid's troubled tummy will turn out fine after a week of TLC. Stomach flu comes with a stomach ache, decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomiting and even fever. Food poisoning may share the same symptoms but they usually hit right away. Whereas tummy troubles can last for days or even a week.
Common Mistakes
1. In treating tummy troubles, Parents.com says that it is not recommended to give your child a glass of water after he vomits. Dr. Vipul Singla, the pediatrician at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, advise parents to wait for 15 to 30 minutes before giving your child any fluid, else it may come right back up. To prevent dehydration, give your child a teaspoon of water after 15 minutes or an electrolyte drink. If the child stops throwing up after an hour, increase the frequency of liquid intake to every 10 minutes.
2. Never give your child an over the counter medicine for diarrhea unless the doctor approves it. There may be side effects in children and may even make the tummy trouble worse. You may also quick to give her something that will lower down her fever. Fever is often a sign that his body is fighting an infection, so you may wait it out and cool her down instead.
3. Following the BRAT diet after the child is feeling better is not recommended. Healthline says that a diet composed of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast should be enough to replenish the lost nutrients. These foods are easy to digest and contain plenty of carbohydrates to supply you with the needed energy. However, it is not advised to continue this diet after your child feels better. While these foods can settle tummy trouble, they lack protein and other nutrients your child needs to fully recover. Continue to give her lots of liquid for several days and best to avoid high-fat foods.
If your child is less than a year starts to vomit, seek medical assistance right away. If symptoms don't subside after two days, you may visit your doctor for further assistance. Any blood in the vomit and diarrhea requires immediate medical attention.
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