If you have kids, chances are you have experienced it. One minute everyone is fine, and the next someone is throwing up at 2 a.m.The stomach flu can move through a household quickly, especially when kids are in school, preschool, daycare, or sports. And while most cases get better with time, keeping kids hydrated and knowing when symptoms need medical attention can make those few miserable days a little easier.
“The biggest thing I tell parents with a stomach bug is to focus on hydration,” says Robert Walker, MD, Medical Director at Marque Urgent Care. “Kids may not want to eat much when they are sick, and that is usually okay for a short period of time. What we really want to pay attention to is whether they can drink and stay hydrated.”
First, What Is the Stomach Flu?
Despite the name, the stomach flu is not actually influenza.
What people commonly call the stomach flu is usually viral gastroenteritis, an infection that affects the stomach and intestines. Several different viruses can cause it, including norovirus.
Symptoms can include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain or cramping
- Nausea
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Loss of appetite
Some kids may have only vomiting or diarrhea, while others seem to get the whole package.
Symptoms can also come on quickly, which is why a child who seemed perfectly fine earlier in the day may suddenly become sick that evening.
Hydration Is the Priority
When your child is vomiting or having diarrhea, they are losing both fluids and electrolytes. Younger children can become dehydrated more quickly than adults, so hydration should be your main focus. The tricky part is that giving a child a large glass of water immediately after they have been vomiting may send you right back to square one. Instead, start small. Offer frequent small sips of fluid rather than asking them to drink a lot at once. An oral rehydration solution can be particularly helpful because it contains a balance of fluids and electrolytes.
If your child vomits after drinking, give their stomach a little time to settle and then try again with small amounts. “Parents understandably want their child to drink a full cup of water after they have been vomiting, but sometimes that is simply too much for an upset stomach,” says Dr. Walker. “Small amounts more frequently can be much easier for a child to tolerate.”
What Should My Child Eat?
Do not panic if your child does not have much of an appetite. When kids are sick, eating may be the last thing they want to do. Focus first on fluids. Once vomiting begins to settle and your child is interested in food, you can gradually offer foods they normally eat and tolerate. Simple options such as crackers, toast, rice, bananas, applesauce, soup, or other bland foods may feel easier on an upset stomach. There is also no need to force food. If your child wants to eat, let them start slowly. If they do not, continue focusing on hydration and try food again later.
How Can I Tell if My Child Is Dehydrated?
This is one of the most important things for parents to watch. Signs of dehydration in children can include:
- Urinating less frequently than usual
- Dark urine
- Dry mouth or lips
- Few or no tears when crying
- Unusual sleepiness
- Irritability
- Dizziness
- Sunken eyes
- Being unable or unwilling to drink
With babies and toddlers, fewer wet diapers than normal can also be an important clue.
“If your child is not keeping fluids down and you are starting to notice signs of dehydration, that is when I would want them evaluated,” says Dr. Walker. “You do not necessarily need to wait until a child looks severely dehydrated before asking for help.”
How Long Does the Stomach Flu Last?
It depends on what is causing the illness, but many viral stomach bugs improve within a few days. Vomiting may settle first while diarrhea can sometimes hang around longer. Pay attention to the overall trend. A child who is slowly drinking more, becoming more interested in food, and starting to act like themselves again is generally moving in the right direction. If symptoms are getting worse rather than better, or something simply does not seem right, it is worth checking in with a healthcare provider.
How Do I Keep Everyone Else From Getting It?
This is where things can get challenging. Stomach bugs can spread easily, especially within families. Once one child is sick, prevention becomes very important. Handwashing is one of your best defenses. Have everyone wash thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the bathroom, changing diapers, cleaning up vomit, and before preparing or eating food.
Give frequently touched surfaces some extra attention too. Clean and disinfect bathroom surfaces, toilet handles, faucets, doorknobs, light switches and other areas everyone touches. Do not share cups, utensils, towels or food with someone who is sick. If there has been vomiting or diarrhea, clean the area carefully and wash any soiled clothing, towels or bedding promptly.
And as tempting as it may be to send your child back the moment they start feeling better, give them appropriate time at home. Some stomach viruses can still spread after symptoms improve, so follow your school or daycare’s illness policy before sending them back.
When Should I Bring My Child to Urgent Care?
Many stomach bugs can be managed at home with rest and plenty of fluids, but there are times when your child should be evaluated. Come in if your child cannot keep fluids down, is showing signs of dehydration, has persistent vomiting or diarrhea, has significant abdominal pain, has a concerning fever, or simply is not improving as expected. You should also pay attention to your child’s behavior.
Parents know what “normal sick” looks like for their child. If they are unusually difficult to wake, extremely weak, confused, having trouble breathing, or experiencing another severe or rapidly worsening symptom, seek immediate medical attention. Severe or life-threatening symptoms require emergency care. Blood in vomit or stool, green vomit, severe or worsening abdominal pain, and significant dehydration are also reasons to seek prompt medical evaluation.
The Bottom Line for Parents
The stomach flu is not fun for anyone, but most kids recover with time, rest, and plenty of fluids.
Your biggest job is to keep an eye on hydration, encourage small amounts of fluid frequently, let your child rest, and watch how their symptoms progress. And maybe keep a few extra towels nearby. Just in case.
“When parents are unsure, I would always rather have them ask,” says Dr. Walker. “Sometimes reassurance is all they need, and sometimes an evaluation tells us a child needs a little more help getting through the illness.”
If your child develops vomiting, diarrhea, or other stomach flu symptoms and you are concerned about dehydration or how they are feeling, Marque Urgent Care is here seven days a week to evaluate children of all ages and help your family determine the best next steps for care.
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