Stomach Flu In Children

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding for as long as possible. Growing up milks are formulated to meet nutrition needs of healthy young children older than 1 year and should not be fed to infants.

Stomach flu or gastroenteritis is a condition involving the inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the stomach, the small intestine and the large intestine.

Unlike cold and flu, stomach flu is not caused by the influenza virus, but by a number of different viruses that are resistant to antibiotics, like rotavirus, torovirus, adenovirus, calcivirus and astrovirus.

Children with stomach flu have symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, and, sometimes, fever, headache and stomach cramps. These symptoms usually appear 1-2 days after exposure, and last around 10 days.

If your child has gastroenteritis, make sure he gets plenty of rest and try your best to keep him away from dehydration. Stop feeding him solids that can trigger nausea and make his vomiting worse, and just stick to bland foods (like bananas, cooked rice and boiled potatoes) and clear liquids (like soups).

Stomach flu is highly contagious and definitely not a pleasant experience; to protect yourself and your other family members from getting it, keep your sick child isolated, forbid him from sharing water and food with his siblings, cover your hands and face when taking care of him, and encourage him to wash his hands thoroughly before touching anything.

Read More: How To Deal With Toddler Vomit?