Stomach Flu And Dehydration
How can I prevent dehydration?If your baby or child has had several bouts of vomiting or diarrhea, he or she will need to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
If you are breastfeeding, continue to give your baby breastmilk. Breastmilk has fluids and electrolytes needed to prevent dehydration. Your doctor may also want you to give your baby an oral rehydration solution .
If you feed your baby formula, try switching to one that is lactose free while your baby is sick. Lactose can make diarrhea worse. Your doctor may also suggest switching from formula to an ORS for 12 to 24 hours, and then switching back.
For toddlers and young children, use an ORS, which contains the right mix of salt, sugar, potassium and other nutrients to help replace lost body fluids. Children older than 1 year may also have clear soups, clear sodas or juice mixed with water to help prevent dehydration. You should avoid giving your child plain water and dark sodas. Water alone does not contain enough salt and nutrients to help with dehydration. Dark sodas are typically very high in sugar and can irritate your childs stomach.
Signs of dehydration
- Little or lack of urine, or urine that is darker than usual
- Urinating less frequently than usual
- Thirst
- Irritability
- Dry mouth
- No tears when crying
- In babies who are younger than 18 months old, sunken soft spots on the top of their heads
- Skin that isnt as springy or elastic as usual
- Sleepiness
What is an ORS?
Should I feed my child when he or she has diarrhea?
How To Get Rid Of The Stomach Flu: 7 Home Remedies That Can Help
Getting rid of a stomach virus can actually be as simple as waiting 24 to 28 hours for symptoms to subside. If youre looking to feel better faster and recover well from the stomach flu, there are some natural remedies that you can easily do at home that have been known to help boost the recovery process.
1. Hydrate
Do you know what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say about how to get rid of stomach flu caused by the norovirus? According to the CDC:
There is no specific medicine to treat people with norovirus illness. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics because it is a viral infection. If you have norovirus illness, you should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from throwing up and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration.
When you have the stomach flu, youre most likely dealing with diarrhea and/or vomiting. Both of these symptoms mean a lot of water loss for your body and the chance of dehydration which only makes you feel that much worse. To avoid becoming dehydrated from the stomach flu, its really important that you consume a lot of clear liquids like water, coconut water and herbal tea.
2. What To Eat
3. What Not to Eat
You want to know how to get rid of the stomach flu fast? Well, what you dont put into your body can be just as important or helpful as what you do put into your body! If you have the stomach flu, there are certain foods and drinks youll want to avoid until youre feeling better.
4. Rest
7. Probiotics
How Do You Treat A Child’s Stomach Virus
The best ways to treat the stomach flu in kids are hydration and rest. “For hydration, use a rehydration solution that’s available in any store and over the counter,” says Dr. Rojas. “Start with small sips and increase gradually, so they don’t vomit it up.”
Water alone may not be enough to rehydrate kids safely, especially younger children. Kids lose electrolytes when they vomit or have diarrhea. This can lead to low sodium in the blood, a dangerous situation. A rehydration solution, like Pedialyte, replenishes fluids and electrolytes. Broth can also be helpful.
You can also make a rehydration solution at home by combining 4 ¼ cups of water, 6 teaspoons of sugar and a ½ teaspoon of salt.
Dr. Rojas also recommends lots of rest for children. Rest can help the digestive system settle and heal.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Gastroenteritis
The signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis may include:
- Watery diarrhea
- Lightheadedness
- Increased thirst
In infants, you may look for signs of fewer and drier diapers. Thirst and a dry mouth and skin can also be common indications of stomach flu in infants. If you doubt that you or your little one has gastroenteritis, waste no time in seeing a doctor immediately.
You Can Avoid The Stomach Bug
You canât always avoid contact with someone who has the stomach bugâespecially if you live with that person. But that doesnât mean youâre doomed to catch the stomach bug. First off, practice proper handhygieneâmeaning, wash your hands with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before and after handling, preparing, or eating food. Give an extra clean to anything the sick person comes into contact with, like counter tops, changing tables, bed sheets, pillowcases, and clothes.
Sometimes you may not know exactly where you caught the stomach bug. Handling food is one way to spread the symptomsâso if you know the stomach bug is going around your community, consider skipping the all-you-can-eat buffet. When traveling, stick to bottled water and avoid raw and peeled fruit and vegetables.
The stomach bug is no fun. Remember that Pepto Diarrhea has your back. Take Pepto Diarrhea at the first sign of diarrhea from the stomach bug so you can get to the source with its dual action formula and more importantlyâget relief from your diarrhea symptoms.
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Pepto Diarrhea Can Treat Diarrhea At The Source
The stomach bug will passâbut thereâs no need to suffer through it or simply control the symptoms. Aside from staying hydrated, the best thing you can do for the stomach bug is treat the diarrhea symptoms. Pepto Diarrheahas you covered. Its dual action coats your stomach and kills the common bacterial causes of diarrhea. You can count on fast, calming, and effective diarrhearelief with Pepto Diarrhea. Even better? In addition to the traditional liquid form, Pepto Diarrhea also comes in liquicaps and caplets for on-the-go-relief. As always checking with your healthcare provider is a great step to confirm whatâs causing your symptoms in the first place.
Diy Ideal Rehydration Drink Formula
So whats another strategy you can use? Well, here is what I often suggest to folks: Using a 16-ounce cup, fill about a third of it with orange juice and the rest of it with water. Then add a little less than a quarter of a teaspoon of salt or baking soda. Its not quite enough sodium to match the WHO criteria, but it doesnt taste like youre drinking a sweaty orange and its a whole lot cheaper.
I hope this is useful information. For more videos, check us out at sentinelprimarycare.com. Im Dr. Patrick OConnell.
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What Regions Are Seeing Flu Activity
Though the flu is generally low across the country, certain regions New Mexico, Georgia, and Rhode Island have seen more flu activity in recent weeks.
Southern regions are seeing the greatest flu activity. This is consistent with trends reported over the last couple flu seasons, according to Dr. Kevin Ban, the chief medical officer at Walgreens.
flu surveillance data from the CDC, influenza has recently been very active in kids under 5 years of age.
Likely, this age group may not be vaccinated yet or may not be as good about masking. Also, school is a big factor, as all viruses spread more in this age group, said Dr. Purvi Parikh, an immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network.
Everyone ages 6 months and over are advised to get the flu shot each year.
Lynnette Brammer , MPH, the team lead for the Domestic Influenza Surveillance team in the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch of CDCs Influenza Division, said the flu is also very active among those ages 5 to 24.
Young adults and children are common drivers of community spread of flu, and the activity we are seeing now is not unusual, Brammer said.
The CDC has also reported several large outbreaks at urban centers, like colleges and universities, Brammer said.
The CDC is investigating a flu outbreak at the University of Michigan, where 528 people since October 6 have been diagnosed with the flu 77 percent of whom were unvaccinated.
Both are treated very similarly, but A can be more severe, Parikh said.
How Long Do The Effects Last
Stomach flu rarely lasts longer than 1 to 3 days. However, it may be 1 to 2 weeks before your bowel habits are completely back to normal.
Dehydration is a potentially serious complication of stomach flu. It can happen if your body loses too much fluid because you keep vomiting or having diarrhea. If you are severely dehydrated, you may need to be given fluids intravenously . In children and older adults, dehydration can quickly become life threatening.
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What To Eat After Stomach Flu Or Food Poisoning
After experiencing the stomach flu or food poisoning, it might be hard to think about eating. However, the right foods, combined with drinking lots of fluids, can actually help speed up your bodys recovery. In most cases, the best way to recuperate from the stomach flu or food poisoning is to prevent dehydration and replace the fluids and electrolytes that your body has lost. Its important to understand when you can and should start eating again and what to eat after food poisoning or the stomach flu. Ill share what foods and liquids are best for your sensitive stomach, and what foods to avoid.
Getting Medical Advice For Your Child
You don’t usually need to see your GP if you think your child has gastroenteritis, as it should get better on its own, and taking them to a GP surgery can put others at risk.
Phone the 111 service or your GP if you’re concerned about your child, or they:
- have symptoms of dehydration, such as passing less urine than normal, being unusually irritable or unresponsive, pale or mottled skin, or cold hands and feet
- have blood in their poo or green vomit
- are vomiting constantly and are unable to keep down any fluids or feeds
- have had diarrhoea for more than a week
- have been vomiting for three days or more
- have signs of a more serious illness, such as a high fever , shortness of breath, rapid breathing, a stiff neck, a rash that doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it or a bulging fontanelle
- have a serious underlying condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease or a weak immune system, and have diarrhoea and vomiting
Your GP may suggest sending off a sample of your child’s poo to a laboratory to confirm what’s causing their symptoms. Antibiotics may be prescribed if this shows they have a bacterial infection.
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For Starters: Its Not Really The Flu
Confusingly, stomach flu isnt actually the flu. Influenza virus is a respiratory infection, whereas the stomach flu is viral gastroenteritis.
That means that your flu shot definitely wont prevent the stomach flu and that regular influenza shouldnt be sending you on emergency trips to the bathroom.
The most common form of viral gastroenteritis in the US is the norovirus. According to the CDC, there are 19 to 21 million acute cases of norovirus causing gastroenteritis every year. Though you can get the illness in any season, it tends strike November April.
How Long Does The Stomach Flu Last In Kids
A stomach flu usually lasts between one and three days. Vomiting typically lasts for less than 24 hours.
However, if your child’s symptoms continue for more than 5 days, you should call your pediatrician. You should also call your pediatrician if your child has:
- A high fever
- Diarrhea or vomiting with blood
- Signs of dehydration like not urinating, dry skin, no tears or rapid breathing
With the right rest and rehydration, your child should make a full recovery in just a few days. Dr. Rojas says they can even return to school once the diarrhea has stopped and they have not had a fever for 24 hours.
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Stomach Flu Causes And Risk Factors
What are stomach flu causes? A number of different viruses can cause viral gastroenteritis or stomach flu including noroviruses and rotaviruses. First, lets talk about the norovirus, which is said to be the number one cause of viral gastroenteritis in children and adults. If your stomach flu is caused by the norovirus, then the period during which you are contagious starts from the time you start to feel sick up until three days after you are better with some individuals being contagious as long as two weeks following their recovery. The norovirus causes stomach flu symptoms within a day or two of being exposed to the virus. On the plus side, most people who have the stomach flu due to norovirus feel better within 24 to 48 hours.
Another virus, the rotavirus, is the top cause of stomach flu in kids and infants, but it can also affect adults. Symptoms usually begin within one to three days of exposure. However, with this virus at the root, the stomach flu can be caught from someone before symptoms appear and even up to two weeks following recovery! Astrovirus and enteric adenovirus can also cause stomach flu.
How do you catch these viruses and end up with the stomach flu? The stool and vomit of infected individuals contain the viruses that cause stomach flu. The viruses that can cause a case of the stomach flu can easily spread from close contact with infected individuals through the following:
So how do you get rid of the stomach flu?
How Do Doctors Treat Viral Gastroenteritis
Your doctor may prescribe medicine to control severe vomiting. Doctors dont prescribe antibiotics to treat viral gastroenteritis. Antibiotics dont work for viral infections.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend probiotics. Probiotics are live microbes, most often bacteria, that are like the ones you normally have in your digestive tract. Studies suggest that some probiotics may help shorten a case of diarrhea. Researchers are still studying the use of probiotics to treat viral gastroenteritis. For safety reasons, talk with your doctor before using probiotics or any other complementary or alternative medicines or practices.
Anyone with signs or symptoms of dehydration should see a doctor right away. Doctors may need to treat people with severe dehydration in a hospital.
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Best Foods To Eat After Having The Stomach Flu
- Post author Scientific review: Dr Heben’s Team
Gastroenteritis, which commonly known as stomach flu, is an intestinal infection that can lead into several symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps. Although the name of the disease is stomach flu is not influenza at all. This disease often called stomach flu since it will bring you some discomforts like seasonal flu does. But, do you know that there are several foods that would be perfect remedies for you stomach flu? Here are some of the foods that you need to consume after youre having stomach flu.
The best foods to eat after having the stomach flu is cinnamon, The first food that you need to consume after you are suffering from stomach flu is cinnamon. The main reason you must consume cinnamon is because this food contains an antiviral properties, which without a doubt will dimished the virus that cause the stomach flu. Beside that, cinnamon also will provide you some relief from the pain that you feel during the stomach flu since it will bring some warm feeling in the body after you consume it.
You can consume cinnamon as a beverage by following these steps:
You can consume peppermint as a tea by following these steps:
Same as peppermint, you can consume this chamomile flower as a tea by following these steps:
Same as chamomile and peppermint, you can consume this ginger as a tea by following these steps:
What Are Symptoms Of A Stomach Bug
The hallmark symptoms of a stomach bug usually start suddenly, can be severe, and include:
- Dehydration, caused by loss of fluids from diarrhea and/or vomiting
- Severe dehydration can be life-threatening
- Dehydration occurs more frequently in babies, young children, and the elderly
Symptoms of dehydration include:
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Will The Flu Make A Comeback
Its impossible to predict exactly how this years flu season will go down.
Now that behavior is changing across the world and more things are reopening, there is a chance that the flu will return, although it is hard to predict exactly what will happen and when, says Dr. Ellen Foxman, a Yale Medicine laboratory medicine physician, assistant professor, and immunobiologist at Yale School of Medicine.
The Southern Hemisphere just experienced another mild flu season. During their flu season, which runs from April to September, no new, rogue flu strains were detected.
Typically, influenza activity in the Southern Hemisphere gives us an idea of what the Northern Hemispheres flu season will be like, but due to variations in COVID-related safety protocols, that may not be the case this year.
Many areas in the Southern Hemisphere, like Australia, were still adhering to strict interventions, such as masking and physical distancing, throughout their flu season.
Up north, however, many of these precautions have been relaxed in certain areas.
As we loosen those restrictions, we will likely see more flu, Landry said.
Flu activity is currently low, but thats what health experts usually expect to see this time of year.
By and large, October and early November are still pretty quiet with flu. But as every day in November goes on, we get a little bit more flu activity, Schaffner said.
People have vaccine fatigue, and many are tired of hearing about respiratory viruses.