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When Your Child Gets Stomach Flu
from: Maxx Family LifeStomach flu, or gastroenteritis, is an infection in the digestive system, especially the stomach and intestines. Causes include parasites, bacteria, or virus infections spread by way of contaminated food and fluids. Stomach flu can also be caused by certain toxins present in some plants and seafoods, usage of powerful laxatives in order to cure constipation or from intake of poisonous heavy metal or food.
Problems start with stomach upset and cramps. A child will show disinterest in eating and feel week. Symptoms of stomach flu are diarrhea and vomiting, which take nearly five days to go away. Fever can sometimes accompany along with dehydration.
The child must be given fluids regularly as this will suppress other symptoms from emerging because of loss of water from the body. Loss of water and salt from the body is the biggest risk in stomach flu. Dehydration can not only worsen the condition, but can threaten the life of the child, if it isn't taken care of in the early stages.
Since there is a loss of salts along with the loss of water from the body, plain water won't do much. Oral rehydration solutions which are available at the local grocery or drug store, is a good idea because it has the correct combination of salts, sugar and water which can hydrate the body. These fluids come in different flavors so kids can have their favorite flavor and is easy to consume. The solution shouldn't be added with anything else such as sugar or water.
If your child is vomiting, solution can be administered to him/her using a teaspoon every two minutes. The quantity can be increased gradually. If vomiting is more frequent, the child can suck ice chips in order to supply constant fluid to the body. The solution should be given till diarrhea comes to a halt, but it isn't advisable to continue for more than twenty four hours.
Some of the fluids, such as soft drinks, sports drinks, apple juice, tea, or chicken broth contain the wrong amounts of salt, sugar and water and can make matters worse. Along with fluids, parent shouldn't give any type of medicine without consulting a pediatrician. Fried, spicy and sugary foods are definitely not a good idea. If your child isn't receiving sufficient amounts of fluids he/she will show signs, such as sunken eyes, dry mouth, intense thirst, unusual sleep patterns, and decrease in urine.
The more bed rest your child gets the better. The child should take complete bed rest for at least twenty four hours or till the diarrhea and vomiting stops. If the child has a fever, the temperature should be checked and noted in a log, every four hours. If the temperature is very high and doesn't stop climbing, the doctor should be contacted immediately.
The person who is preparing and serving food to the child should wash his or her hands very carefully before doing so. Also, if the diarrhea and vomiting doesn't stop after twenty four hours, it's a must to get a doctor's appointment. The child should be rushed to emergency if the vomiting contains blood or green color substance.
Your doctor, after doing stool and blood tests, will prescribe antibiotics if an infection is suspected. In addition, anti nausea medicines are also given to stop the throwing up and control fluid loss. If there is considerable loss of fluids from the child's body, the child might be admitted into the hospital and will be administered with fluids such as glucose or IV, through a tube connected to the child's veins.
If your child has fever, their temperature will be checked and the doctor will ask for information about the temperature pattern, for which the parent should be ready. If the illness goes on for days, a log of information about the daily weight should also be given to the doctor.
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