Gastroenteritis/ Stomach Flu/ Stomach Virus

This is one of the most common diseases of children. And most often this disease gets better without medical attention. Although mismanagement of the disease could lead to serious complications.

What causes Gastroenteritis/stomach flu or stomach virus?

- Bacteria (most common is E.coli)
- Viruses
- Intolerance to milk

When do we say our child has this disease?

- Loose bowel movement
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Fever

What to do when our kids has this disease?

*The first most important thing that parents should do is to provide rehydration for their kids. They should give them rehydration solutions that can be bought from the drugstores like pedialyte. Most of these solutions’ names end with yte.

*And also give them apples, bananas to soothe their stomachs and easy to digest foods like crackers and rice, and chicken soup. Avoid sweet foods and dairy products until their stomach gets better. Also avoid heavily seasoned foods.

*Give your kids also yogurt, and any pro-biotic drinks.

*You could also give your kids natural health products like aloe vera. This is tried and tested. Every time my kids have stomach flu, I give them aloe vera gel, and instantly they are relieved.

*And most of all, your children needs rest, so if possible don’t allow them to play games which need physical activities.


What are the warning signs that your child needs medical help?

*If your child is still a very young baby, 6 months younger, the first sign of a loose bowel movement, especially if it is bloody and has mucus, go to the doctor at once.

*If a sign of dehydration is present, especially babies, go to your pediatrician at once. Signs of dehydration could be lesser urination, sunken eyes, weakness; no tears would come out when they cry, dry lips. For babies, sunken fontanel is a sign of dehydration.

*When your kids passed a bloody stool, visit your doctor at once. Bloody stool is a sign and symptom of acute E.coli infection, and if this is not maintained, properly, kidney problems may arise as complications.

*If your children’s loose bowel movement is more than 4 days, and there’s no sign of your children’s getting better, visit your pediatrician the soonest time possible.

*If loose bowel movement is accompanied by high fever and vomiting, definitely, a doctor’s help is needed, because in this cases, your children will get dehydrated faster than you expect.

*If intake of food or fluids are hampered your children really need a doctor right away.

How to avoid this disease?

!Always wash hands. Not just your kids but you too, or the person who is preparing their food.

!Cook your foods properly. E.coli infection is brought about by eating improperly cooked food.

!If your child is in a public place, have his drinks, or foods covered. Dust has a lot of germs.

!Sanitation is very important. Clean hands, clean clothes, clean environment. Always wash or take a bath after playing outdoors especially if played with soil or sand.

!And most of all strengthen the immune system of your child so that they will have a defense from infections and other diseases. You could do this by ensuring they are eating the right foods, not junks. Encourage them to eat fruits and vegetables. Drink fruit juices and not sodas and those fizzy drinks. Drink milk and prepared pro-biotic foods like yogurt. And make sure they have their daily dose of vitamins.