What are the best remedies for stomach flu in kids. How can parents help settle their child’s stomach during gastroenteritis. What foods should children eat when recovering from stomach flu. When should parents seek medical attention for a child with stomach flu.

Understanding Stomach Flu in Children: Causes and Symptoms

Stomach flu, medically known as viral gastroenteritis, is a common illness among children. It’s important to note that despite its name, it’s not related to the influenza virus. Instead, it’s caused by various viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus that irritate and infect the digestive system.

Children are particularly susceptible to stomach flu due to their developing immune systems and tendency to touch shared objects without proper hand hygiene. The primary symptoms of stomach flu in children include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Fever (in some cases)

Effective Home Remedies for Stomach Flu in Children

When it comes to treating stomach flu in children, the focus should be on managing symptoms and preventing complications. Here are some effective home remedies recommended by pediatric experts:

1. Hydration Is Key

The most crucial aspect of treating stomach flu is maintaining proper hydration. Dr. Isabel Rojas, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Children’s Health, emphasizes the importance of using a rehydration solution. These solutions, available over-the-counter, help replenish both fluids and electrolytes lost through vomiting and diarrhea.

To effectively hydrate your child:

• Start with small sips of the rehydration solution
• Gradually increase the amount as tolerated
• Avoid plain water alone, especially for younger children, as it may not provide necessary electrolytes

2. Rest and Recovery

Adequate rest is crucial for a child’s recovery from stomach flu. It allows the digestive system to settle and heal. Encourage your child to take it easy and get plenty of sleep during their illness.

3. Homemade Rehydration Solution

If commercial rehydration solutions are unavailable, you can make one at home. Here’s a simple recipe:

• 4 ¼ cups of water
• 6 teaspoons of sugar
• ½ teaspoon of salt

Mix these ingredients thoroughly to create a homemade rehydration solution.

The Role of Medication in Treating Stomach Flu

Many parents wonder if medication can help alleviate their child’s stomach flu symptoms. However, Dr. Rojas advises against using medications in most cases. Here’s why:

• Stomach flu is caused by viruses, so antibiotics are ineffective
• Over-the-counter medications may prolong symptoms or make them worse
• The virus typically needs to run its course naturally

The only exception to this rule is the use of acetaminophen in appropriate doses if your child has a fever. Always consult with your pediatrician before administering any medication to your child.

Dietary Recommendations for Children with Stomach Flu

Once your child stops vomiting, you can gradually reintroduce food. The BRAT diet is often recommended for children recovering from stomach flu. BRAT stands for:

• Bananas
• Rice
• Applesauce
• Toast

These foods are easy to digest and can help settle your child’s stomach. Other suitable options include crackers, grilled or boiled chicken. It’s best to avoid greasy, heavy, or spicy foods for a few days after the vomiting stops.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid

Certain foods and beverages can exacerbate stomach flu symptoms. It’s advisable to avoid:

• Dairy products (except for breastmilk or formula for infants)
• Apple juice
• Carbonated beverages

If your child experiences nausea or vomiting after eating, it’s best to pause food intake until their stomach settles.

Duration of Stomach Flu in Children

Stomach flu typically lasts between one and three days in children. Vomiting usually subsides within 24 hours. However, if symptoms persist for more than five days, it’s important to consult your pediatrician.

Parents should also seek medical attention if their child exhibits any of the following symptoms:

• High fever
• Severe abdominal pain
• Blood in diarrhea or vomit
• Signs of dehydration (e.g., infrequent urination, dry skin, absence of tears, rapid breathing)

Returning to Normal Activities After Stomach Flu

With proper rest and rehydration, most children recover fully from stomach flu within a few days. Dr. Rojas advises that children can return to school once diarrhea has stopped and they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours.

Preventing Stomach Flu in Children

While it’s not always possible to prevent stomach flu, certain measures can reduce the risk of infection:

• Encourage frequent handwashing, especially before meals and after using the bathroom
• Teach children to avoid touching their face with unwashed hands
• Regularly clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces
• Keep children home when they’re sick to prevent spreading the virus

When to Seek Professional Medical Help

While most cases of stomach flu in children can be managed at home, there are situations where professional medical help is necessary. Parents should contact their pediatrician if:

• Symptoms persist for more than 5 days
• The child shows signs of severe dehydration
• There’s blood in the child’s stool or vomit
• The child has severe abdominal pain
• The child has a high fever that doesn’t respond to fever-reducing medication

In these cases, a healthcare professional can provide appropriate treatment and ensure there are no underlying complications.

Long-term Effects and Complications of Stomach Flu in Children

While most children recover fully from stomach flu without any long-term effects, in rare cases, complications can occur. These may include:

1. Dehydration

The most common and potentially serious complication of stomach flu is dehydration. Severe dehydration can lead to electrolyte imbalances, which can be dangerous if left untreated.

2. Malnutrition

In cases where stomach flu symptoms persist for an extended period, children may be at risk of malnutrition due to inadequate food intake and nutrient absorption.

3. Lactose Intolerance

Some children may develop temporary lactose intolerance following a bout of stomach flu. This usually resolves on its own within a few weeks.

4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

In rare cases, a severe stomach flu infection may trigger the development of IBS in children, leading to long-term digestive issues.

It’s important to note that these complications are rare, especially when stomach flu is properly managed. Regular follow-ups with a pediatrician can help identify and address any potential long-term effects.

The Role of Probiotics in Managing Stomach Flu in Children

Recent research has shown that probiotics may play a beneficial role in managing stomach flu symptoms in children. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.

How Probiotics May Help

Probiotics may assist in managing stomach flu in several ways:

• Reducing the duration of diarrhea
• Balancing gut bacteria disrupted by the virus
• Boosting the immune system to fight off the infection
• Potentially preventing future episodes of gastroenteritis

Types of Probiotics

Some probiotic strains that have shown promise in managing pediatric gastroenteritis include:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
• Saccharomyces boulardii
• Lactobacillus reuteri

It’s important to consult with a pediatrician before introducing probiotics, as the effectiveness and safety can vary depending on the child’s age and overall health status.

The Importance of Hand Hygiene in Preventing Stomach Flu

One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of stomach flu is through proper hand hygiene. Viruses that cause gastroenteritis can survive on surfaces for extended periods and are easily transmitted through hand-to-mouth contact.

Teaching Effective Handwashing

Here are some tips for teaching children effective handwashing techniques:

1. Use warm water and soap
2. Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice)
3. Pay attention to often-missed areas like between fingers and under nails
4. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a clean towel

When to Wash Hands

Encourage children to wash their hands:

• Before eating or handling food
• After using the bathroom
• After playing outside or with pets
• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose
• When they come home from school or other public places

By instilling good hand hygiene habits, parents can significantly reduce their child’s risk of contracting stomach flu and other contagious illnesses.

The Impact of Stomach Flu on Child Development and School Performance

While stomach flu is typically a short-term illness, frequent or severe episodes can potentially impact a child’s development and school performance. Understanding these potential effects can help parents and educators provide appropriate support.

Physical Development

Repeated bouts of stomach flu may affect a child’s physical development in several ways:

• Temporary weight loss due to decreased appetite and nutrient absorption
• Delayed growth if nutritional deficiencies persist
• Weakened immune system, making the child more susceptible to other illnesses

Cognitive Development

Frequent illness can impact cognitive development and learning:

• Missed school days can lead to gaps in learning
• Fatigue and discomfort can affect concentration and information retention
• Chronic dehydration can potentially impact brain function

Social and Emotional Development

Repeated illness may also affect a child’s social and emotional well-being:

• Missing social activities due to illness can impact peer relationships
• Frequent absences from school may lead to feelings of isolation or anxiety
• Chronic illness can affect a child’s self-esteem and confidence

Supporting Children After Stomach Flu

To minimize the impact of stomach flu on a child’s development and school performance, consider the following strategies:

1. Work with teachers to catch up on missed schoolwork
2. Encourage gradual return to normal activities to avoid overexertion
3. Provide emotional support and reassurance
4. Maintain open communication with healthcare providers to address any ongoing concerns

By being aware of these potential impacts and taking proactive steps, parents and educators can help ensure that stomach flu has minimal long-term effects on a child’s development and academic progress.

Innovative Research and Future Treatments for Pediatric Stomach Flu

While current treatments for stomach flu in children primarily focus on symptom management and hydration, ongoing research is paving the way for innovative approaches to prevention and treatment. Here’s a look at some promising areas of study:

1. Vaccine Development

Researchers are working on developing vaccines against common causes of viral gastroenteritis, such as:

• Norovirus vaccines
• Improved rotavirus vaccines

These vaccines could potentially prevent millions of cases of stomach flu globally each year.

2. Targeted Antiviral Therapies

Scientists are exploring antiviral medications that specifically target viruses causing gastroenteritis. These could help shorten the duration of illness and reduce symptom severity.

3. Microbiome Modulation

Research into the gut microbiome is opening new avenues for treatment:

• Personalized probiotic therapies
• Prebiotics to support beneficial gut bacteria
• Fecal microbiota transplantation in severe cases

4. Immune System Boosters

Studies are investigating ways to enhance the immune response to gastroenteritis-causing viruses, potentially reducing the severity and duration of symptoms.

5. Nanotechnology

Researchers are exploring the use of nanoparticles to:

• Deliver targeted treatments
• Enhance the effectiveness of oral rehydration solutions
• Develop more sensitive diagnostic tools

6. Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosis

AI algorithms are being developed to:

• Quickly identify the specific virus causing gastroenteritis
• Predict potential complications
• Personalize treatment plans

While these innovations are still in various stages of research and development, they offer hope for more effective prevention and treatment of stomach flu in children in the future. As always, parents should consult with healthcare professionals for the most up-to-date and appropriate care for their child’s specific situation.

Stomach Flu Remedies for Kids

Share:

The stomach flu, also called viral gastroenteritis, is not to be confused with the flu caused by the influenza virus. The stomach flu is caused by viruses, such as norovirus and rotavirus, that irritate and infect the digestive system. It can be a common illness among kids, who may not be as good at washing their hands as adults and spend more time touching the same objects as other kids.

Unfortunately for little ones, the stomach flu can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Isabel Rojas, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at Children’s Health℠ and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern, shares the best remedies for stomach flu in kids and ways to help settle your child’s stomach.

How do you treat a child’s stomach virus?

The best ways to treat the stomach flu in kids are hydration and rest. “For hydration, use a rehydration solution that’s available in any store and over the counter,” says Dr. Rojas. “Start with small sips and increase gradually, so they don’t vomit it up.”

Water alone may not be enough to rehydrate kids safely, especially younger children. Kids lose electrolytes when they vomit or have diarrhea. This can lead to low sodium in the blood, a dangerous situation. A rehydration solution, like Pedialyte, replenishes fluids and electrolytes. Broth can also be helpful.

You can also make a rehydration solution at home by combining 4 ¼ cups of water, 6 teaspoons of sugar and a ½ teaspoon of salt.

Dr. Rojas also recommends lots of rest for children. Rest can help the digestive system settle and heal.

Does medicine help the stomach flu?

Though you may want to give your child a medicine to help with stomach flu symptoms, Dr. Rojas recommends against it. Because the stomach flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not help.

“Usually we just need to let the virus run its own course,” says Dr. Rojas. “Trying to take medications can prolong symptoms and make them worse.”

Dr. Rojas says the only exception to the no-medicine rule is the appropriate dose of acetaminophen if your child has a fever.

What do you feed a child with the stomach flu?

Once your child has stopped vomiting, they can start to eat foods again. The best foods after the stomach flu are the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.

“These foods are very easy to digest,” says Dr. Rojas. “Children can also have crackers, or grilled or boiled chicken.”

Children should avoid greasy, heavy or spicy foods for a few days after they experience vomiting. Avoiding dairy could also be beneficial due to a transient lactose intolerance after stomach flu, though infants should still breastfeed or have formula if able to tolerate.

Certain drinks, like apple juice or carbonated beverages, can make vomiting or diarrhea worse, so it’s best to stick to rehydration solution or plain water.

If your child has nausea or vomiting again, it’s best to stop the food until their stomach can settle.

How long does the stomach flu last in kids?

A stomach flu usually lasts between one and three days. Vomiting typically lasts for less than 24 hours.

However, if your child’s symptoms continue for more than 5 days, you should call your pediatrician. You should also call your pediatrician if your child has:

• A high fever
• Severe abdominal pain
• Diarrhea or vomiting with blood
• Signs of dehydration like not urinating, dry skin, no tears or rapid breathing

With the right rest and rehydration, your child should make a full recovery in just a few days. Dr. Rojas says they can even return to school once the diarrhea has stopped and they have not had a fever for 24 hours.

The best ways to treat the stomach flu in kids are hydration and rest. Learn signs, symptoms and other ways to treat stomach flu in kids from an expert @Childrens.

Click to Tweet

Thank you!

You are now subscribed to the Children’s Health Family Newsletter.

Children’s Health will not sell, share or rent your information to third parties.
Please read our privacy policy.

Children’s Health Family Newsletter

Get health tips and parenting advice from Children’s Health experts sent straight to your inbox twice a month.

Please enter a valid email address

Pediatric Appendicitis

The appendix is a narrow tube of intestine that extends from the cecum. Appendicitis means the appendix is infected and inflamed. Acute appendicitis can cause abdominal pain and is the most common childhood surgical emergency.

What is Pediatric Appendicitis?

Annually, thousands of cases of pediatric appendicitis occur in the U. S, and it occurs in all ages of children.

The inflammation and infection of the appendix triggers obstructions of drainage and blood flow, leading to destruction of the appendix. Without intervention, infection can spread beyond the appendix, potentially resulting in peritonitis – a serious condition.

What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Appendicitis?

The most common symptom is abdominal pain, which may start in the area around the belly button and move to the lower right-hand side of the abdomen. Other symptoms include low-grade fever and vomiting. Symptoms might not show up in children. Delayed diagnosis increases the risk of rupture and its serious complications.

How is Pediatric Appendicitis treated?

The pediatric surgeons at Children’s Health typically remove the appendix using a minimally invasive method called laparoscopy. This procedure uses three small incisions and a camera called a laparoscope to look inside the abdomen during the operation.

A child whose appendix ruptured will have to stay in the hospital longer than the child whose appendix was removed before it ruptured. Some children will need to take oral antibiotics for a period of time specified by the physician after they go home.

Pediatric Appendicitis Doctors and Providers

• Adam Alder, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

• Nathalie Brewer, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

• Natasha Corbitt, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

• Diana Diesen, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

• Lauren Gillory, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

• Erik Hansen, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

• Barry Hicks, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

• Stephen Megison, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

• Joseph Murphy, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

• Samir Pandya, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

• Faisal Qureshi, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

• Mark Ryan, MD

  Pediatric Surgeon

A CHILD HAS A STOMACH

How often do we hear from our children, “Oh, my stomach hurts!”. Children complain in the morning when they are going to kindergarten or school, and in the evening when they go to bed, and during meals with the words “I don’t want to anymore.” At the same time, parents react differently: who runs to call an ambulance, and someone brushes it off, “you always come up with something.” How not to be mistaken, what to do if the child complained about the tummy.

Children rarely lie just like that. Sometimes a child may say that his stomach hurts in order to attract his mother, without even experiencing discomfort in his stomach, but this is still an alarming bell, because he did not complain about his leg, head or something else, which means he periodically experiences pain or discomfort in his stomach!

Children of preschool and primary school age will complain of pain not only when they experience real pain, but also with flatulence (increased gas formation) and nausea and rumbling in the stomach and discomfort in the stomach. When a child says “I can’t do it any more, my stomach hurts” while eating, do not rush to scold him. He cannot say “I have a feeling of early satiety”, but most likely he has this particular pathological symptom, which occurs with gastritis, functional dyspepsia and other diseases.

If your child complains of abdominal pain in the morning, it may not be due to a desire to stay at home, but he or she has so-called “fasting pains”, one of the signs of gastroduodenitis, peptic ulcer. Or maybe he just doesn’t want to have breakfast, and not because he’s stubborn, but because his enzymes haven’t “woken up” yet. Feeding such children a “full” breakfast is not possible, and it is not necessary. Let the child eat a portion of yogurt with tea, and in kindergarten or at school (i.e. 2 hours after waking up) he will have a second breakfast.

The child may complain about the stomach when he wants to go to the toilet. More often this happens with constipation, when the process of emptying the intestines is painful. It may be that at present defecation in such children is already painless, but earlier, the stool was accompanied by severe pain and the child REMEMBERED this! Now the little (but not necessarily the little) little man has a fear – “it will hurt now. ”

What is abdominal pain and when does it appear. The sensation of pain is the body’s response to irritation of pain receptors located in the walls of internal organs (stomach, intestines) or a capsule covering an organ, such as the liver. When stretching the wall, capsule, inflammation, we experience pain. With spasm of the muscular organs, with pain in the abdomen, it is primarily the intestines, the receptors are also irritated and we feel pain. Abdominal pain may be due to irritation of the peritoneum – a sheet of tissue covering the internal organs of the abdomen. This is more often observed in acute surgical pathology, such as appendicitis.

The pain can be acute, when a person feels a “prick”, such pain is often compared with a “dagger pain” or dull – aching pain, of moderate intensity.

Pain can be chronic, when a person complains day after day, but not necessarily all the time. The pain can let go and return again, while the degree of intensity can be different from acute cramping to dull, barely distinguishable.

By localization, the pain can be diffuse – when the pain is the whole abdomen and localized, when you can specify the painful point.

Pain may be associated not with a disease of the internal organ, but with damage to the nervous system, both central and peripheral. With a tumor in the brain, pain can be in different places, incl. and in the abdomen, with pain often accompanied by vomiting. With autonomic dysfunction, abdominal pain may be accompanied by pallor of the skin, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweat.

What to do if your child complains of abdominal pain. Firstly, do not panic, talk to the child about how it hurts, where, while not forgetting that young children cannot localize the pain and will often point to the navel, even if they have pain under the ribs. Do not demonstratively neglect the complaint, even if you think that this is an invention of the baby. Talk to him, promise to give a pill, go to the doctor, do an examination. Never frighten a child with a visit to a doctor or any examination, in the future the child may be afraid of medical institutions and will hide complaints from you, which will lead to late diagnosis of the disease.

If the child complains of abdominal pain, ask when the child last pooped, maybe he is constipated. Parents should daily monitor the defecation of the child, not only for a preschooler, but also for a younger student, and at an older age, they should regularly ask their child if he had stool today, what consistency, if there were any impurities (blood, mucus, undigested food). Often parents do not pay attention to such an IMPORTANT physiological process as defecation, but given the frequency, consistency of stool, the presence of impurities, the doctor will be able to prescribe NECESSARY examinations (and not all that are in the arsenal of modern medicine), which will allow you to quickly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Of the drugs on your own without a doctor’s prescription, with the first pain syndrome, you can only enveloping agents and sorbents. If you give your child painkillers, an antibacterial drug or an antispasmodic (no-shpu), then you can blur the picture, and the doctor will not be able to make a diagnosis, which is very dangerous, for example, with appendicitis. It is better to call a doctor, let him look at the child, if necessary, prescribe tests and examinations.

In conclusion, I will emphasize once again. The child’s complaints of pain are always an alarming symptom. Consult a doctor, undergo an examination and you will not have to think that this is “inflammation of the abdomen or tricks”. Be healthy!

Cape Town’s Sneaker Culture is Unlike Anywhere Else in the World

A child has a stomach ache: why and what to do?

Parents often hear complaints from children about pain in the abdomen. Pain can be acute, chronic or recurrent (regularly recurring). During a certain period, the organs of the digestive system in children grow and develop especially intensively, namely during the first year of life, from 5 to 6 years and at 9-12 years of age. During this period, the formation of gastroenterological diseases often occurs. Functional disorders may occur, manifested by increased gas formation, spasms in the intestines, untimely bowel movements. Such pain manifestations are not dangerous. If negative factors affect the body, this can cause the progression of disorders and transformation into a pathology of a chronic course.

Factors provoking the appearance of pain in the abdomen

In children, the stomach may hurt on the background of:

• Worm-parasitic invasion. In addition to painful manifestations in the abdomen, nausea, loss of appetite, changes in stool, and a rash may occur.
• Gastroesophageal reflux. In a child at an early age, such a disease manifests itself in the form of frequent profuse (fountain-like) regurgitation. In babies older than one year of age, it is accompanied by cough, otolaryngological diseases, damage to the enamel coating on the teeth, refusal to eat, hiccups and other signs.
• Helicobacter pylori infections. Pain in the abdomen is accompanied by symptoms such as belching, heaviness in the stomach, nausea.
• Constipation.
• Carbohydrate intolerance (usually lactose).
• Problems with bile ducts. In this case, the child complains of aching pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, bitterness in the oral cavity and other manifestations.
• Intestinal infections, food intoxication.
• Intestinal pathologies of inflammatory nature.
• Gynecological diseases – adnexitis, ovarian cysts, etc. Usually these causes appear in girls in adolescence.
• Diseases of the chest organs – pneumonia, pleurisy.
• Diseases of the urinary system of an infectious nature. Accompanied by a violation of the urinary function, an increase in body temperature.

In addition, the stomach can hurt with chronic stress. The cause of stress lies in the following factors:

• increased school and extracurricular workload;
• increasing flow of received information;
• violation of the order of food consumption.

If your stomach hurts, you need to reduce the amount of food consumed, and food can only be boiled, stewed or baked. Fast food, marinades, smoked meats, soda, fatty, fried, spicy and salty foods will have to be abandoned.

If a child has acute abdominal pain, the first requirement is the exclusion of a number of diseases that are united under the concept of “acute abdomen”. This includes an acute disease of the peritoneal organs, which requires emergency care.

You should immediately seek specialist help:

• in case of acute painful manifestations that bother the child for more than 2 hours;
• for cramping pains lasting more than 12 hours;
• when vomiting occurs, including discharge mixed with blood and bile;
• when blood is found in the stool;
• when refusing food, and also if the baby does not allow touching the stomach;
• with localization of pain in the right side of the abdomen from below;
• if the pain appeared after an injury;
• if the child wakes up at night due to pain and cannot sleep;
• for abdominal pain accompanied by difficult or painful urination;
• with severe pallor of the skin, the appearance of cold sweat, fever, rashes, drowsiness and lethargy;
• for prolonged constipation, loose stools, absence of gas;
• with sharp pains that occur during eating or immediately after it.

Prohibited actions for abdominal pain in children

If a child has a stomachache, it is forbidden:

• to heat the pain area with a heating pad;
• give your baby a drink of painkillers, antipyretics and antispasmodics until you consult a doctor. In the case of primary pain in the abdomen, you can give the child enveloping medicines and sorbents.

Preventive measures

To prevent the occurrence of abdominal pain in a child, initially it is necessary to normalize the diet and eating schedule. To improve the digestive process, fermented milk products must be present in the children’s menu. In addition, you need to take care of getting the child’s body all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Moreover, the food for the child should be of high quality. It is necessary to exclude the use of sweet juice, soda and starchy foods in excessive quantities.

To maintain the health of the digestive tract, it is important to control the child’s diet and adherence to hygiene measures.