Stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is a common illness that affects children and toddlers. It is caused by viruses that cause inflammation of the stomach and intestines, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. If your child or toddler has been diagnosed with stomach flu, there are a few things you can do to help manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the illness.
Here are eight helpful tips for urgent care for kids when suffering from stomach flu:
How To Treat The Stomach Flu
1. Make Sure to Keep Your Child Hydrated
Dehydration is a common side effect of stomach flu, and it is essential to ensure your child is drinking plenty of fluids. Offer your child small amounts of liquids such as water, electrolyte, or sports drinks to replace lost fluids. If your child cannot drink due to vomiting, you may need to give them an IV fluid.
2. Give Your Child Bland Foods
Bland foods such as toast, crackers, rice, applesauce, and bananas are easy on the stomach and help settle nausea. Avoid giving your child greasy, spicy, or acidic foods, as these can irritate the stomach.
3. Control the Fever
Fever is a common symptom of stomach flu and is usually not a cause for worry. You can reduce the fever by giving your child ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle or ask your doctor for specific dosage instructions.
4. Keep Your Child Comfortable
Stomach flu can be an uncomfortable experience for your child. Offer them a warm blanket and comfy pillow to make them more comfortable. You can also use a warm cloth to gently massage their stomach in a clockwise motion to help alleviate the pain.
5. Clean and Sanitize Surfaces
Stomach flu is highly contagious and can spread quickly through contact with contaminated surfaces. Make sure to clean and sanitize surfaces regularly to reduce the risk of illness spreading.
6. Avoid Over-The-Counter Medicine
Most over-the-counter medications for stomach flu are not appropriate for kids or toddlers. If your kid has a fever, you can give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed by your pediatrician.
7. Give Your Child Plenty of Rest
Rest is essential for a speedy recovery, so ensure your child gets plenty of it. Encourage them to take frequent naps and limit their activities.
8. Take Your Child to the Doctor
If your child is showing signs of severe illness, it is vital to take them to the doctor for urgent care for kids. They may need to be tested for other diseases, such as bacterial infections, that could be causing the symptoms.
Causes Of Stomach Flu In Kids And Toddlers
1. Practice Good Hygiene
Parents should also ensure that their kids and toddlers keep their hands away from their faces and mouth, as this can transfer germs from their hands to their mouths.
2. Avoid Contaminated Food and Water
Parents should ensure that their children and toddlers eat only safe and clean food and drink clean and safe water. Food and water contaminated with bacteria or viruses can cause stomach flu.
3. Vaccination
Vaccines can help prevent some types of stomach flu in kids and toddlers. Vaccines such as the rotavirus vaccine, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, and pneumococcal vaccine can help protect kids and toddlers from stomach flu.
4. Regular Cleaning
Parents should regularly clean surfaces and items used by their kids and toddlers to prevent the spread of germs that cause stomach flu. This includes toys, doorknobs, tables, chairs, and other everyday items.
Conclusion
Taking the needed precautions to prevent the spread of stomach flu in kids and toddlers is essential. So, following the proper steps to protect your child from the stomach flu can help reduce the severity of the symptoms and the duration of the illness.
Your Kid’s Urgent Care provides unparalleled and efficient urgent care services for children of all ages. Our experienced and compassionate staff is standing by to help your child with any urgent care needs they may have. If you have any concerns about stomach flu or are in need of urgent care for kids in Tampa, FL, don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule an appointment.
