Causes & Risk Factors
H. pylori causes are not many. Mainly, you can get H. pylori from person-to-person transmission by way of direct contact with the saliva, vomit or fecal matter of an infected individual. So, kissing and sharing utensils are two common ways the bacteria spreads. You can also contract H. pylori from consumption of contaminated water or food.
Childhood is actually when youre most at risk for getting H. pylori, especially under circumstances like these:
- Living with someone, like a parent, who already has H. pylori.
- A crowded living situation with many people.
- A lack of clean and reliable water.
- Your home is in a developing country where unsanitary and crowded living situations are more prevalent.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine is a condition that may affect a person for years without causing obvious symptoms. The condition is associated with chronic digestive problems such as gas and bloating. It can also cause diarrhea or constipation. People may be told they have irritable bowel syndrome instead of bacterial overgrowth.
The most common way of getting rid of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine is to:
- Treat the underlying medical condition
- Eliminate the bacteria
- Improve any nutritional deficiencies.
This article will discuss bacterial overgrowth and natural ways to treat it. Keep reading to also learn what causes bacterial overgrowth as well as the symptoms you may experience.
Urgent Advice: Get Advice From 111 Now If:
- you’re worried about a baby under 12 months
- your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re ill
- a child under 5 years has signs of dehydration such as fewer wet nappies
- you or your child still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets
- you or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down
- you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom
- you or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.
Go to 111.nhs.uk or .
Get an urgent GP appointment
A GP may be able to help you.
Ask your GP practice for an urgent appointment.
Check with the GP surgery before going in. A GP may speak to you on the phone.
What Causes A Stomach Bug
A stomach bug is usually caused by viruses, including:
- Enteric adenovirus
- Astrovirus
Viral gastroenteritis peaks in the winter and spring when these viruses are most actively spreading in the community.
The viruses that cause stomach bugs are spread from person to person by:
- Touching an infected person
- Touching a surface with the virus on it
- Consuming foods or drinks with the virus in them
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The Dangers Of Dehydration
The most damaging consequence of the stomach flu is dehydration, states Dr. Jeffrey Ho, CHOC pediatric gastroenterologist. Babies and young children in particular can become dehydrated very easily. Call your childs doctor straight away if you notice any signs of dehydration.Parents should observe for signs of dehydration which include decreased urine output, dry skin, dizziness, thirst, and dark-colored urine. In children, signs of dehydration are:
- Dry diapers .
- The spot at the top of a babys head.
When To Go To The Doctor

Take your child to the doctor, if:
- the child is under 6 months old
- the diarrhea or vomiting is nonstop
- theres blood in the childs feces
- the child is tired and limp
- the diarrhea continues for more than 3 days
- the childs weight goes down
- there is a high fever with the diarrhea
- the disease was caught while on a holiday to the south
Mehiläinens pediatricians as well as general practitioners can treat and help children suffering from a stomach flu. If you need instructions or want to book an appointment for your child, call 010 414 0414 or book a time online. We offer help through the phone every day from 6am to 22pm. Also, remember, that you can get help from the Digital Clinic in the OmaMehiläinen app as well as in the web service around the clock!
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Stomach Bug Symptoms In Children
Common symptoms of a stomach virus in children include:
- Vomiting
- Low-grade fever
- Weight loss
Symptoms may last for five to seven days or longer. Giardiasis can be acute or it can become chronic . Its possible for children to show no symptoms initially. Parasitic infections usually occur seven to 14 days after exposure and have long-lasting symptoms without treatment. Vomiting is rare with parasitic infections.
Garlic On How To Treat Bacterial Infection
You can lay your belief in garlic because it is also another natural home remedy with antibacterial properties. Garlic is available in every kitchen and it is the excellent home remedy to treat different fungal and bacterial infections. An effective way on how to treat bacterial infection is eating 4-5 cloves of garlic per day. You can chew and swallow it. Another way is taking garlic in the form of capsules. However, this way may be less effective than chewing garlic freshly. If you cannot stay with fresh garlic cloves, you can think of its capsules but we still recommend you eating it raw. Besides, garlic tea is another solution that is also considered as the herbal remedy on how to treat bacterial infection. You should add some cloves in the boiling water and steep for a few minutes before sipping the garlic tea. It is easy to have a cup of garlic tea so that you are supposed to spend a little effort and time on it. Garlic tea will be a useful treatment.
To know other benefits of garlic, you can view at Benefits Of Garlic
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Preventing The Stomach Flu
You might not be able to stop your child from catching the stomach flu but you can try. You can at least prevent it from happening as often.
The best way to prevent the stomach flu is wash your hands and wash them again. Teach your child how to wash their hands properly and to wash them often. Use warm water and soap. Set a timer or have your child sing as song so that they scrub their hands for at least 20 seconds.
Here are more ways to help prevent your child from catching and spreading the virus:
- Keep your sick child home and away from other children.
- Teach your child to wash their hands properly several times a day, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
- Show your child how they can cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or the inner side of their elbow when sneezing and coughing.
- Tell your child not to share drink boxes, bottles, spoons, and other eating utensils.
- Clean hard surfaces like counters and nightstands with a mixture of detergent, vinegar, and water. Some viruses can survive for up to 24 hours on hard surfaces and even on clothing.
- Wash your childs toys in warm soapy water regularly, especially if the stomach flu or other viruses are going around.
- Use separate bathroom towels for each family member.
Home Remedies For Stomach Bacterial Infection
- 20-07-2018
Stomach Bacterial Infection is also known as bacterial gastroenteritis, during which the bacteria infects your gut. This can cause inflammation in the intestines and the stomach. Few many experience symptoms like diarrhea, cramps in the abdomen and vomiting. While there are a number of home remedies for stomach bacterial infection, it is always recommended to visit your doctor to check its severity.
Bacterial gastroenteritis is often referred to âFood Poisoningâ as well and this can occur due to lack of hygiene, or due to contact with animals, contaminated food or water. Some of the common symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis are nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, pain or cramps in the abdomen and fever.
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Stomach Viruses: When To Worry
If you’re wondering how to determine whether your little ones symptoms are simply unpleasant or a cause for concern, look for the following, says Dr. Kondis:
- High fever. This can be indicative of a bacterial infection.
- Visible blood in diarrhea or vomit. This can also indicate a bacterial infection.
- Bright green-colored vomit. This can occur with excessive vomiting, but can also be indicative of a bowel obstruction.
- Vomiting with no diarrhea. This could indicate a different gastrointestinal illness, like appendicitis.
- Lack of urination/wet diapers. This could indicate your child is becoming dehydrated, which is one of the most common concerns about the stomach virus.
How Do You Hydrate A Child With Stomach Flu
In many cases, dehydration can occur with gastroenteritis due to the amount of liquid lost during vomiting or diarrhea, Udeshi says. So more important than having kids consume solid foods, parents and caregivers should make sure they drink plenty of non-caffeinated liquids to stay hydrated. Udeshi also recommends hydrating kids slowly when theyre sick with the stomach flu think sips, not gulps.
For young infants, Tan recommends breast milk or formula to keep them hydrated. Water or Pedialyte can work for toddlers and younger kids while older children can also drink Gatorade or Powerade, which are electrolyte-replacing fluids.
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Viral Gastroenteritis In Children
Viral gastroenteritis is often called stomach flu. But itâs not really related to the flu or influenza. Itâs irritation of the stomach and intestines due to infection with a virus. Most children with viral gastroenteritis get better in a few days without a healthcare providers treatment. Because a child with gastroenteritis may have trouble keeping fluids down, he or she is at risk for fluid loss and should be watched closely.
A Pharmacist Can Help With Diarrhoea And Vomiting

Speak to a pharmacist if:
- you or your child have signs of dehydration such as dark, smelly pee or peeing less than usual
- you need to stop diarrhoea for a few hours
They may recommend:
- oral rehydration sachets you mix with water to make a drink
- medicine to stop diarrhoea for a few hours not suitable for children under 12
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Treatment For Diarrhoea And Vomiting
You can usually treat yourself or your child at home. You dont need to take anti-diarrhoea medicine unless you need to shorten the length of time your diarrhoea lasts.
Children should not take anti-diarrhoea medicine. Anti-vomiting medication is sometimes helpful. Ask your pharmacist or GP for advice.
The most important thing is to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions available in your pharmacy can be useful to treat diarrhoea.
Older children may not like the taste of oral rehydration solutions. Clear, flat lemonade type drinks can be given to them to help avoid dehydration.
Expect The Stinger Of Vomiting
Sometimes, however, a kid on the mend will eat before his gut is healthy enough to handle it. I cant tell you how many times I get this phone call:
My child vomited for a day or two and then seemed fine, but then threw up again two days later! The stomach bug isnt getting better!
This is so common, in fact, that I make a point to warn parents about it when I first diagnose their child with a stomach bug .
Whats happening here is that the childs gut has started to heal enough that his appetite is coming backbut not healed enough to handle the type or amount of food he just ate.
In this scenario, your child isnt getting sick again hes on the mend, but needs to go a bit more slowly with the food for a few more days.
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What Should I Do If I Have Diarrhea And Vomiting
This is usually possible to achieve at home by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water. Vomiting and diarrhea can also cause the body to lose essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. Eating soups or broths can replace both fluid and minerals.
The treatment for bacterial infections is usually a course of antibiotics. Doctors may prescribe antiviral medications for certain viral infections, but few antiviral medications exist. There are some illnesses that tend to develop due to either bacteria or viruses.
Home remedies for mild cases. Ginger can help combat infection and make stomach or abdominal pain less severe. Apple cider vinegar and basil can also soothe your stomach as well as strengthen your stomach against future infections. Avoid eating dairy, fruit, or high-fiber foods to keep diarrhea from getting worse.
This is usually possible to achieve at home by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water. Vomiting and diarrhea can also cause the body to lose essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium. Eating soups or broths can replace both fluid and minerals.
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Stomach Flu In Kids: Symptoms Treatment And Home Remedies
More terrifying than the sniffles and more nerve-wracking than an impressively skinned knee, the stomach flu in kids can strike fear in the hearts of the chillest of parents or caregivers. The tummy troubles that accompany it. The loss of appetite. And of course: The barfing! Stomach flu symptoms in kids can be both heartbreaking and, well, hard to stomach. Unfortunately, given kids propensity for touching everything , the stomach flu is fairly common in little ones also, despite its colloquial name, it isnt the flu.
Viral gastroenteritis, which many refer to as the stomach flu is a gastrointestinal infection marked by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and sometimes fever, explains Dr. Rupal Udeshi, director of pediatrics at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center in Olney, Maryland and assistant professor of pediatrics at Georgetown University School of Medicine. It is not caused by the influenza virus that many people are immunized against. Stomach flu is extremely contagious, with the ability to spread both through person-to-person contact or via contaminated water or food.
Whether theres a bout circling at day care or youre smack dab in the middle of it, heres expert advice on surviving the stomach flu.
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Tips For Good Handwashing
Wash your hands often. Always wash them after using the bathroom, playing with pets, and before eating or making food. Clean the whole hand, under your nails, between your fingers, and up the wrists:
-
Wash for at least 20 seconds with clean, warm or cold water. Dont just wipe. Scrub well. Hum the Happy Birthday song twice if you need a timer..
-
Rinse. Let the water run down your fingers, not up your wrists.
-
Dry your hands well. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.
What Stomach Infection Medicine For Kids Will Doctors Recommend
When the situation worsens, doctors will first examine the patient to determine the cause before prescribing a stomach infection medicine for a child or toddler. Do not self-administer antibacterial medications because they will not work on viruses. If it is a virus, there is no targeted treatment and the doctors will prescribe pain relievers to help the child stay comfortable through recovery. Also, avoid any type of anti-nausea or antidiarrheal medication as both vomiting and diarrhoea can help flush out the virus. For certain infections, antibiotics may be prescribed by doctors.
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Home Remedies To Treat Stomach Flu In Children
Stomach flu is very common among children. Children do tend to skip personal hygiene. They put things in their mouth, which they are not supposed to. They also put their unwashed hands in their mouth. These habits allow many bacteria and virus to enter your childs digestive system.
Stomach flu causes tremendous stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. This can lead to further complication in your child. Some children might face stomach ache and a loss of appetite. Some might undergo vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes you child also might suffer from fever. The symptoms can be many and the cures are also plenty. There are many easily available home remedies which can you can adopt in order to make your child, feel better.
What Are The Symptoms Of Bowel Infection

Some common symptoms of bowel infection include:
Some people also get blood in their stools , including in cases of an infection known as dysentery. Blood in stools can be caused bacteria or parasites, but it may be something more serious and you should always see a doctor if you have this symptom.
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Symptoms Of The Stomach Flu
The stomach flu typically causes two other dreaded things for parents : vomiting and diarrhea. In fact, the stomach flu usually looks a lot worse than it is. Your baby or child may have cycles of vomiting and diarrhea for about 24 hours.
If your child has the stomach flu, they may have hard-to-miss signs and symptoms like:
- diarrhea
- stomach pain and cramps
- tiredness
- sleepiness
If your baby has the stomach flu, the may also be crying and irritable and who wouldnt be with these symptoms? Babies with the stomach flu are less likely to have a fever. Rest assured that this common tummy bug typically goes away quickly and by itself.