November 22, 2024

Things to Do for a Child’s Stomach Bug

Carroll Milne December 28, 2021

The stomach flu in children is a dreadful experience for parents everywhere. This common illness can happen to adults and children, but kids may catch it relatively easily than grown-ups. Due to the severity, parents often dig their heads in research about toddler stomach bug long does it last to get the remedies that could help their little ones.

Kids are adventurous and curious about their environment. As they grow, they get the knack to explore the world more and more. Despite your efforts, you can not stop them from touching surfaces, sharing food, and washing their hands often. Exposure to germs from such things can easily cause a stomach bug. However, it can be managed, and most kids with viral gastroenteritis or stomach bug do not need to see a doctor as it can clear up on its own. Unfortunately, the viruses that cause the stomach flu get around quickly, so if you or anyone in your home have this, you need to stay home until you get better.

Symptoms of Stomach Flu

Most of the time, stomach flu causes two things in adults and children: vomiting and diarrhea. Usually, this virus looks a lot worse than it is. Your child may have cycles of vomiting and diarrhea for about 24 hours at different intervals. Following hard-to-miss symptoms can tell you if your child has the stomach flu:

  • Watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea
  • Stomach pain and cramps
  • Mild fever
  • Chills and nausea
  • Frequent vomiting
  • Poor to none appetite
  • Constant headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Frozen joints
  • Lethargy
  • Sleepiness

If your child has the stomach flu, it will cry more than usual and be irritable. Moreover, babies with the stomach flu are less likely to have a fever. Rest assured that this common bug goes away quickly by itself with proper rest and some precautions.

Treatment for Stomach Flu

For parents who search about toddler stomach bugs how long does it last, several remedies can benefit your child if followed properly. Most of the time, babies and kids would not need medical treatment for their stomach flu. There is no specified treatment for viruses, but you can give antidiarrheal medicines with the doctor’s recommendation. However, vomiting can be good as it is getting rid of the virus inside your child’s stomach. Your physician can recommend OTC pain relievers to make your child comfortable in such situations. You have to follow the dosage advised by the doctor as too much pain killer can also make your child ill. Babies over 6 months can be given pain medications like ibuprofen if their doctor allows it. Make sure that you never give aspirin to babies and children as it can lead to a condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Home Remedies for Stomach Flu

Several home remedies can help make your baby, child, and you more comfortable dealing with the stomach flu. You can practice the following remedies for treating the stomach flu in your child:

  • You should let the stomach settle. Avoid feeding your baby or child any solid food for a couple of hours.
  • You should give older children frozen juice treats like popsicles or ice chips. It will help to prevent dehydration.
  • If your baby is vomiting, wait for 15 to 20 minutes before you give them any liquids. You should also try nursing your baby if they want to feed. Drinking milk can help to keep your baby hydrated. It is fine if they throw up some or all of the milk right after.
  • You should try using a syringe to give babies small amounts of liquids if they do not want to nurse or bottle-feed.
  • You should give toddlers and older kids small sips of water and preferably clear drinks like ginger ale. Clear broths and oral rehydration solutions for babies and small children are also encouraged. You can easily get these from your local pharmacy without a prescription.
  • You should try giving your child light, bland foods as they will be easy on the stomach. Foods like crackers, Jell-O, bananas, toast, or rice are suitable for this purpose. However, do not insist that your child eat if they do not feel like to.
  • Make sure your child rests plentiful. You can pop in their favorite movies, get some new toys to entertain them, and re-read their favorite storybooks to keep them at ease.

Stomach flu does not typically last longer than 24 to 48 hours. You have to stay strong for your child and help them through their tough time. Once the virus completely flushes from their stomach, they will be normal and at ease again.

These are some of the remedies for a child’s stomach bug. However, you can always contact a child specialist  through Marham for more information.