Kids don’t get sick on a schedule. If sniffles turn into something more after hours, we have virtual and same-day appointments available.
Stomach flu is different from influenza. Stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, is an infection of the digestive system that causes fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.It usually lasts a few days, and most kids and teens recover at home with rest and plenty of fluids.
Stomach flu and food poisoning can have very similar symptoms. If your child recently ate with others who got sick around the same time, the source could be germs in contaminated food.
Stomach flu is a common illness often caused by norovirus, a highly contagious virus that can be spread by taking care of someone with norovirus or sharing food, utensils or food handled by someone who is infected. Touching contaminated surfaces, then putting unwashed fingers in the mouth is another way it can spread.
Kids and teens are most likely to spread stomach flu germs while they have symptoms. Although they typically begin feeling better in a few days, they can spread norovirus for two weeks, depending on the germ that caused the infection.
Washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food, helps prevent the spread. Hand sanitizer doesn’t work well against many of these viruses.
Because of the vomiting and diarrhea, children with stomach flu are losing fluids, salts and minerals and are at risk of dehydration.
Offer your child plenty of fluids from the time they start feeling ill to help prevent dehydration. Undiluted juice and sport drinks are high in sugar and can make symptoms worse.
To replenish fluids in a child with mild dehydration, gradually give small amounts of an oral rehydration solution such as Pedialyte, Enfalyte or a generic. These have the right amounts of water, sugar and salt to rehydrate the body.
Use a syringe or medicine cup to give your child the fluid every 5 minutes or so over a few hours in the following amounts:
Plain water doesn’t have the right nutrients for infants who are dehydrated.
You can freeze oral rehydration solution into popsicles for older children.
Check with your medical provider before giving your child medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever or pain. Don’t give ibuprofen to babies younger than 6 months and don’t give aspirin to a child or teen. It’s linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness.
Severe dehydration may require hospitalization. If you child is showing these signs of severe dehydration, seek medical help right away:
In kids and teens, viruses are the most common cause of stomach flu. There is a vaccine that can help prevent stomach flu caused by rotavirus.
If stomach flu is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help. Gastroenteritis is less frequently caused by bacteria such as salmonella or E. coli. Bacterial gastroenteritis tends to be more severe with symptoms such as a high fever, severe stomach cramps and, sometimes, bloody diarrhea. Parasites can be another cause of gastroenteritis.
Your medical provider will be able to diagnose stomach flu based on the symptoms and typically won’t need to perform any tests. Stool, urine or blood tests might be necessary if your child is very sick or has blood or mucus in their stool.
Get medical care if your child: