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October 1, 2024
Stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis, is a common illness that affects children, often causing discomfort and concern for parents. While the symptoms can be distressing-ranging from vomiting and diarrhoea to stomach cramps and fever-understanding the condition is key to managing it effectively.
This guide will walk you through the causes, symptoms, treatment, and preventive measures for stomach flu in kids, helping you navigate this illness with confidence and care. Knowing when to seek medical attention can also ensure your child’s quick recovery and peace of mind for the entire family.
Stomach flu, medically known as gastroenteritis is an infection in the intestines and stomach that causes diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting. Pretty common in babies and children, and it is caused by bacteria or viruses in the intestinal tract. These viruses or bacteria enter the intestinal tract when children put their hands in their mouths after touching toys and other objects.
While adults can also suffer from stomach flu, it is more serious in children, especially infants and young children as it can lead to dehydration from diarrhoea and vomiting.
The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis include:
Gastroenteritis typically lasts for one to three days. The most common complication of gastroenteritis is dehydration (a lack of sufficient fluid in the body), which happens when significant fluid is lost through vomiting and diarrhoea. Mildly dehydrated children will feel thirsty, while those who are severely dehydrated may become listless, irritable, or lethargic. Infants are more prone to get dehydrated than older children and may develop more serious side effects. Common signs of infant dehydration are:
If your child shows signs of dehydration, seek medical advice immediately.
The most common causes of gastroenteritis in children are viruses, bacteria and parasites. In rare cases, it can be caused by medication, chemical toxins and illicit drugs. Stomach flu can sometimes also be caused due to a food allergy or other allergic conditions, though this is rare.
Let’s understand the common causes in more detail:
The most common cause of gastroenteritis is the virus. It is caused by four categories of viruses:
In most cases, children contract viral stomach flu from other children who have it or who have been exposed to it. So usually they pick it up from schools, childcare centres and other crowded areas. Viral gastroenteritis is quite contagious and spreads pretty easily from one child to another.
The most common way in which viral stomach flu spreads is faecal-oral transmission, which means the virus in the stool of an infected person is taken into the mouth of a healthy person. Of course, the stool is not ingested directly. In most cases, the caregiver of the infected stool has it on their hands (especially if the hands are not washed properly). When they touch any object such as toys, food or diapers with these uncleaned hands, the infected stool is passed onto the object. When a healthy child puts their hands on these objects and then takes their hands near their mouth, they may get infected. Viral gastroenteritis can also be spread by coughing, sneezing or spitting.
The most common bacteria that cause gastroenteritis are:
The less common bacteria include Listeria, Yersinia and Vibrio. Bacterial gastroenteritis is usually contracted by children by:
Bacteria can grow on certain foods that have not been refrigerated. Picnic food or buffet are prone to bacterial development.
Gastroenteritis can also be caused by parasites such as Cryptosporidium parvum or Giardia intestinalis, which are generally acquired by faecal-oral transmission or drinking contaminated water. A parasite which can cause bloody diarrhoea is Entamoeba histolytica. It is common in areas with inadequate sanitation.
At times, gastroenteritis can be triggered by ingesting chemical toxins such as those found in plants which produce exotic seafood or mushrooms. Children can get stomach flu by eating these substances. Children can also get infected by eating food or drinking water contaminated by chemicals such as lead, arsenic, mercury or cadmium.
Certain medications can also cause gastroenteritis such as antacids or antibiotics.
To diagnose whether your child has gastroenteritis or not, your physician will take your child’s history and conduct a physical examination. As the child is unable to explain the symptoms, your role as a parent is pivotal here. The diagnosis will largely be based on the symptoms that you explain to the doctor.
While the diagnosis of stomach flu can be done based on symptoms, the cause may not be understandable. If other family members are also ill or have been recently ill with similar symptoms or the child has come in contact with certain animals, the cause can be established.
Tracing back whether the child has come in touch with contaminated water or inadequately cooked or contaminated food or spoilt food can help establish the cause.
Most cases do not need diagnostic tests as the flu lasts for a short time. However, if it lasts for more than 48 hours or the symptoms are severe, then the doctor may send the stool samples to a laboratory to test the white blood cells for viruses, bacteria or parasites. The doctor may also order blood tests to look for signs of complications or infection.
The main treatment of gastroenteritis is to keep the child hydrated as dehydration can lead to other complications. Mild dehydration is usually treated with oral rehydration solutions which have the right mix of water, sugar and salt to help with dehydration. These can be bought from drugstores or supermarkets. You can talk to your doctor for recommendations.
Offer your child an oral electrolyte solution as frequently as possible. If they vomit, begin with small sips, around 1 to 2 teaspoons every few minutes. The primary treatment for stomach flu in babies includes breastfeeding or taking formula as long as they don’t throw up repeatedly. Avoid giving babies plain water in place of an oral rehydration solution, as it lacks the necessary nutrients to properly treat dehydration in infants. You can give frozen electrolyte popsicles to older children. Avoid giving undiluted juice, soda or sports drinks as the excessive sugar in them can make diarrhoea worse.
Once your child stops vomiting, give them small amounts of solid foods such as crackers, rice, toast or mashed potatoes, fruits, vegetables and yoghurt. You can also give them lean meat such as chicken.
If the child is not throwing up, you can offer a regular diet, as long as the child feels like eating. However, in many cases, the child may take some time before they eat normally, so do not force them. You can continue dairy products unless they make diarrhoea worse. Avoid fatty food as it can make them feel unwell.
Your child will need a lot of rest to feel better. You can give them medicines for fever or pain, however, consult your doctor before giving any medicines. Do not give your child medication for diarrhoea or vomiting unless advised by a doctor.
Keep your child home from school or childcare until they’ve been free from vomiting and fever for 24 hours, and their diarrhoea has improved. Additionally, your child should avoid swimming pools until all symptoms have completely resolved.
Let’s talk about some prevention measures now. Two vaccines are important for prevention which will be part of your child’s vaccination routines.
Teach your children to wash their hands properly, especially before eating food. They should also be taught to avoid stored foods and water from unknown sources. As a general rule, cold foods should be kept cold and hot foods kept hot. Any food left out for consumption should be eaten within an hour.
Another effective way to prevent gastroenteritis in newborns and infants is breastfeeding. Babies who are breastfed have lower rates of gastroenteritis than formula-fed infants.
Caregivers of children should wash their hands thoroughly, especially before touching items that the children eat from such as feeding bottles. They should also wash their hands thoroughly after changing diapers. Ensure to disinfect the diaper changing area regularly.
Children who have had diarrhoea should not return to school or childcare centres until the symptoms are gone.
Encourage your child to drink fluids frequently in small quantities to prevent dehydration. Avoid letting your child touch reptiles, birds and amphibians as these animals usually carry the Salmonella bacteria. The infection can be more severe in children.
Avoid letting your child swim in public swimming pools. Avoid changing your child’s diaper anywhere near the water. Also, teach your children not to swallow water while swimming.
Gastroenteritis in children should not be taken lightly. Ignoring can make it more acute, leading to severe symptoms.
Contact your doctor if your child shows signs of dehydration, has a high fever, has blood in their poop, is vomiting for more than 24 hours or the diarrhoea is not improving. Proper guidance can help avoid extreme scenarios.
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