The stomach flu in children

What is the stomach flu?

The stomach flu refers to vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal discomfort caused by seasonal viruses. It’s also known as viral gastroenteritis.

Stomach flu symptoms

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping
• Bloating
• Fever
• Discomfort and irritability
• Poor appetite

What causes the stomach flu in children

The stomach flu is most often triggered by seasonal viruses like rotavirus, norovirus, or adenovirus. Less commonly, it can result from bacteria such as salmonella, shigella, campylobacter, E. coli, or C. difficile, as well as parasites like giardia, cryptosporidium, and cyclospora.

Rotavirus

Rotavirus is highly contagious and is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. Most children contract it between 6 and 24 months of age, but it can occasionally occur up until age 5 or older.

Norovirus

Norovirus is another common cause of gastroenteritis and can occur year-round, though it’s more prevalent in the winter. Outbreaks often occur in crowded places like restaurants, cruise ships, resorts, and childcare settings. You can also contract it by consuming contaminated foods like shellfish, frosting, melon, raspberries, and celery.

Is it common for children to get the stomach flu?

It’s common for children to catch the stomach flu as their bodies are still building immunity to various seasonal viruses. Babies, toddlers, and young school-aged kids are more susceptible than older kids, particularly when they start daycare or school, where they’re more likely to be exposed.

How long does the stomach flu last?

Depending on the virus, the stomach flu can last anywhere from three days to a week. It’s also highly contagious and typically spreads through the "fecal-oral route," meaning the germs that cause illness are found in an infected person’s feces and can be transmitted when someone else ingests them. This is why washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing diapers is so important.

Can the stomach flu cause dehydration?

The stomach flu is a common cause of dehydration in children. They lose fluids quickly through vomiting and diarrhea, often faster than they can replace them, especially since their appetite tends to decrease when they’re sick.

Encourage your child to take small, frequent sips of fluids to prevent dehydration. If your baby is breastfeeding, continue nursing as usual. If your baby isn't tolerating regular feedings, offer clear fluids like Pedialyte, diluted apple juice, or popsicles (for babies over six months). If you’re concerned about dehydration, consult your local or Summer Health pediatrician for further guidance.

What can a child eat when they have the stomach flu?

A varied and nutritious diet can improve gut healing when your child can tolerate foods. Offer healthy and age-appropriate foods like complex carbs, lean meats, yogurt, fruits, and veggies.

Preventing the stomach flu

• Good handwashing with soap and warm water
• Proper diaper disposal
• Avoid going to daycare or school when sick
• Rotavirus vaccine, when appropriate

Treating the stomach flu

• For infants six months or older, offer clear fluids like water, diluted juice, and oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte. Consult your local or Summer Health pediatrician for guidance on clear fluids, like Pedialyte, for younger infants.
• Tylenol for a fever, as needed. Always consult a pediatrician if your newborn has a fever.
• Continue breastfeeding or bottle feeding as tolerated.
• Offer probiotics like yogurt or kefir
• Prescribed anti-nausea medications can help if symptoms are severe
• Offer nutritious foods and avoid high-fat foods, sugary fluids, and simple carbs

When to call a pediatrician

Call your local or Summer Health pediatrician if your child has abdominal pain or discomfort, projectile vomiting, blood or bile with vomiting, blood or mucus in stools, lethargy, irritability, poor feeding, decreased wet diapers, or other urgent symptoms. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room for any severe or urgent symptoms.