Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) Overview

Willow has what her pediatrician referred to as the "Stomach Flu". A few days ago, it started with some vomiting followed closely by diarrhea and a slight fever.

We are over the fever and vomiting but the diarrhea is still here so I thought I'd do a quick over view here on Mommy Vomitpants!

I have talked briefly about diarrhea before in the article "The B.R.A.T. Diet for Diarrhea in Children". But that only talked about the B.R.A.T. diet and not really about diarrhea. So, it's time to remedy that!! Let's talk about the stomach flu (diarrhea in particular) and what you can do to make your little one feel better.

First, what exactly is Gastroenteritis??


According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Gastroenteritis means "inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines". Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that results in vomiting or diarrhea. It is often called the "stomach flu," although it is not caused by the influenza viruses.

There are two types of stomach flu, bacterial and viral. The bacterial kind is the one that you need antibiotics for. It's also the less common form of the stomach flu. If you (or your child) have the stomach flu, it's likely the viral type. The viral kind has no cure and has to just run its course since antibiotics have no effect on a virus. Fun, huh?

So, the three things we need to know about this are: 1) How do you get it? 2) Is it contagious? and 3) What can I do about it?

According to the Mayo Clinic, common causes and symptoms include:

Causes

• Viruses.


• Food or water contaminated by bacteria or parasites.


• Reaction to a new food. Young children may develop signs and symptoms for this reason. Infants who are breast-fed may even react to a change in their mothers' diets.


• Side effect from medications.

Symptoms

• Nausea or vomiting


• Diarrhea


• Abdominal cramps


• Bloating

Like most illness that you get in your life, this one is mainly caused by germs (another word for microorganisms). I think that "germs" is a funny word, don't you? But why not have a funny word for something that you can't see?

Anyway, this is all the more reason to make sure that you wash your hands regularly. You also have to wash your food and make sure it's cooked properly. According to the CDC, the viruses that cause gastroenteritis are spread through close contact with infected persons (for example, by sharing food, water, or eating utensils). Individuals may also become infected by eating or drinking contaminated foods or beverages. Even though you always hear about washing your hands people still don't seem to do it enough. If you don't have time to "wash" your hands, you can always carry around a small bottle of Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer. The CDC recommends Purell when soap and water are not available.

Now, what can you do about it? The main thing you should be concerned about with vomiting and diarrhea is dehydration. Both the CDC and the AAP stress driking fluids but you may be surprised to know that they do NOT recommend water!! I know I was!! They recommend using something like Pedialyte to rehydrate your child (or Gatorade for yourself).

Since the diarrhea seems to linger the longest, here is a list of the DO's and DO NOT's from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Most children with mild diarrhea can continue to eat a normal diet including formula or milk. Breastfeeding can continue. If your baby seems bloated or gassy after drinking cow's milk or formula, call your pediatrician to discuss a temporary change in diet. Special fluids for mild illness are not usually necessary.

DO

• Watch for signs of dehydration which occur when a child loses too much fluid and becomes dried out. Symptoms of dehydration include a decrease in urination, no tears when baby cries, high fever, dry mouth, weight loss, extreme thirst, listlessness, and sunken eyes.


• Keep your pediatrician informed if there is any significant change in how your child is behaving.


• Report if your child has blood in his stool.


• Report if your child develops a high fever (more than 102°F or 39°C).


• Continue to feed your child if she is not vomiting. You may have to give your child smaller amounts of food than normal or give your child foods that do not further upset his or her stomach.


• Use diarrhea replacement fluids that are specifically made for diarrhea if your child is thirsty.

DO NOT

• Try to make special salt and fluid combinations at home unless your pediatrician instructs you and you have the proper instruments.


• Prevent the child from eating if she is hungry.


• Use boiled milk or other salty broth and soups.


• Use "anti-diarrhea" medicines unless prescribed by your pediatrician.

One of the things I have been concerned about with Willow is giving her milk, especially since her pediatrician said to avoid dairy. But according to the Parenting (ans the AAP above) , that is a myth.

"Children recover faster and lose less weight when they're fed their normal diet, says Kenneth Wible, M.D., chief of general pediatrics at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO. What's more, the beneficial bacteria in yogurt and the fat in cheese speed intestinal healing. As long as there's no vomiting, continue with breast milk or formula for babies.

"Older kids can stick to their usual meals. Diarrhea can last for three or fours days and loose stools for up to a week; call your doctor if you're worried or if there's vomiting, a high fever, lethargy, or signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth or very little urination."

So, it can be hard to know what to do. Here are some tips from Dr. Sears on what to feed your child who is suffering from diarrhea:

What to feed your child. Rule of thumb for G.I. upsets: Feed half as much twice as often. Offer food and fluids more frequently but in smaller amounts. Try sips and chips: frequent sipping and ice chips or white grape juice, or Popsicles made with oral electrolyte solution. Let your child suck on these all day long.

Mild diarrhea – defined as 2 – 4 loose stools in a 24-hour period.

1. BRATY diet – this is an age old, time-tested diet.


• Bananas


• Rice or rice cereal


• Apple sauce


• Toast, unbuttered


• Yogurt (See Intestinal Healing Properties of)Yogurt


2. Breastmilk or formula


3. White grape juice or oral electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte. Popsicles also work well.

Moderate diarrhea – defined as 4 – 8 loose or watery stools per day, but child is generally not acting sick.

1. BRATY diet, but only very small amounts


2. Breastmilk or half-strength formula (formula mixed half and half with an oral electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte)


3. White grape juice, oral electrolyte solution or popsicles.

Severe diarrhea – defined as 10 or looser, watery, foul stools and child is acting sick. Consult your pediatrician.

1. BRATY diet, but only very small amounts


2. Breastmilk. Do not give formula until child improves or as directed by your pediatrician.


3. White grape juice, oral electrolyte solution or popsicles.

Well, I hope this has helped you!! It has helped me to know that it's okay to give Willow milk!! I think she will be excited!!