Stomach flu.

One of the worst sights to a parent is their child vomiting uncontrollably. It’s not a pretty picture, but guess what; you’ll probably face it sometime. It’s called Gastroenteritis and symptoms include vomiting and an initial low-grade fever (under 102 deg. F), followed by lingering diarrhea and little appetite. In most cases though, there is no danger and this highly contagious illness requires no more than the right knowledge.

It’s Not the Flu, But a Virus
Although everyone refers to vomiting and diarrhea as stomach flu, these problems are usually caused by a gastrointestinal virus (a true “flu” is influenza, a respiratory infection). Stomach flu usually strikes first between 6 and 24 months, when the immune system has not yet fully build up its defenses. That means the first infection will probably be the most (tongue in cheek) fun. By age three, almost all kids will have had at least one run-in with this contagion.

Many different viruses can cause this condition, including rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses, type 40 or 41, sapoviruses, and astroviruses. (www.cdc.gov) Interestingly, many parents do not know that the virus is passed through saliva or feces. Make sure that sanitary practices are covered thoroughly with children and that they don’t put their mouth on objects (such as shopping cart handles) or put objects in their mouth (such as pens from school). It’s amazing what a breeding ground of unsanitary germs exist at school, birthday parties or other gatherings where children use the bathroom and do not wash their hands.

The “24-Hour Bug” Is a Myth
Some children may feel nauseated for 2-3 days, and then have diarrhea for another week, which sort of throws hot water on the 24 hour theory. This is no reason to panic. How long each bout lasts depends on the particular virus and on how your child’s intestines react to it. But when your child is vomiting, there is a concern about dehydration.

Signs of dehydration in babies can include tearless crying, dark urine and sunken eyes, says William Cochran, vice chairman of pediatrics at the Geisinger Clinic in Danville, Pa. “A small infant with profuse diarrhea and vomiting could become dehydrated in six to 12 hours” without otherwise appearing dramatically ill, he says. “When an infant starts to look really sick, you are late in the game.”

A baby or toddler vomiting green bile should be seen immediately, he adds. And, in anyone, sudden bruising and broken blood vessels (except in the face, where the strain of vomiting may be to blame) could signal a breakdown in blood platelets, seen in infections with the dangerous E. coli 0157:H7 strain. (www.usatoday.com)

But absent of such signs, give babies and toddlers a teaspoonful of electrolyte solution every twenty minutes or so to replace the nutrients they’ve lost. It contains a proper mixture of sugars and minerals to help their delicate intestines absorb liquid. Bigger children should take an ounce of electrolyte solution in the same time period. If that stays down for fifteen minutes, then give another ounce, rehydrating the child over hours. At this point, don’t worry about getting them to eat anything.

If you are still breastfeeding a baby, continue to nurse right through the illness, because mother’s milk has protective antibodies. With bigger children, other liquids can be substituted. (Surprising Facts About Stomach Flu, Sarah McCraw Crow, December 2002 issue of Parents Magazine)

Medication Overreaction
It may be tempting at this point to reach for over-the-counter anti-diarrhea or upset-stomach remedies. I advise against them because they don’t actually cure anything, they just slow things down in the intestines, leading to an overgrowth of harmful gut bacteria.

As well, Pepto-Bismol contains salicylates, an aspirin-like compound that can lead to a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome in younger children.

Antibiotics won’t do much to treat a stomach flu. If anything, they will make it worse because they kill the good bacteria in your intestinal tract, making you more susceptible to severe abdominal cramps.
Relieving Symptoms
The following steps may help relieve the symptoms of Stomach Flu (Viral Gastroenteritis).

Take a high quality probiotic every 30 to 60 minutes until you feel better.
Try adding raw honey (to calm the inflammation) if the symptoms persist more than a few hours after starting the probiotics.
Allow your gastrointestinal tract to settle by not eating for a few hours.
Sip small amounts of clear liquids or suck on ice chips if vomiting is still a problem.
Give infants and children oral rehydration solutions to replace fluids and lost electrolytes.
Gradually reintroduce food, starting with bland, easy-to-digest food, like toast, broth, apples, bananas, and rice.
Avoid dairy products, caffeine, and alcohol until recovery is complete.
Get plenty of rest.