| Stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is an | | | | over twenty four hours you should seek the |
| infection of the stomach and intestines; affecting | | | | advice of your pediatrician. Keep in mind, fluids like |
| the digestive system. Usually the cause will be | | | | soft drinks, sports drinks, chicken broth or apple |
| from contaminated foods or fluids admitting | | | | juice; though good for your family, are not the |
| parasites, types of bacteria or viruses. Also | | | | correct combination of salts, sugars and waters |
| contact or consumption of toxins that may be | | | | and can cause the condition to worsen. |
| present in plants or seafoods. The use of potent | | | | Symptoms to look for if a child is lacking in proper |
| laxatives for constipation or intake of poisonous | | | | amounts of fluids are as follows: sunken eyes, |
| heavy metal or food. | | | | complaints of dry mouth, always thirsty, less |
| A child will suffer from upset stomach and | | | | frequent urination, and unusual changes in sleep |
| cramps. he or she will become disinterested in | | | | patterns. By all means avoid giving your child fried, |
| eating and feel weak. A child may also experience | | | | spicy or sugary foods during this time of sickness. |
| diarrhea and vomiting; sometimes there will be a | | | | Bedrest is very important, the more the better. |
| fever and dehydration. This infection could last | | | | Complete bed rest is recommended for the |
| about five days. | | | | duration of the diarrhea and vomiting or for |
| Giving your child fluids, on a regular basis, will keep | | | | twenty four hours, which ever lasts the longest. I |
| him or her from dehydrating and it will stop other | | | | f fever is involved with the sickness of the child, |
| symptoms from getting worse. When | | | | take care to check it frequently. Keep a standing |
| experiencing the stomach flu, the loss of water | | | | record of his or her temperature every four |
| and salt in the body is at high risk. Thus, leading to | | | | hours. Again contact your doctor if the fever is |
| dehydration which can be life threatening to the | | | | excessively high and doesn't stop climbing. |
| child. | | | | Take precautions when preparing your child's |
| Water, alone, isn't enough due to the loss of salts | | | | food, always wash your hands. Call your doctor if |
| in the body as well. Parents can purchase specific | | | | vomiting and diarrhea lasts over twenty four |
| drinks, such as pedilite, designed to replenish the | | | | hours and be prepared to visit the emergency |
| body of lost fluid and salts. These drinks can be | | | | room if blood is visible in the vomit or there is |
| found at your local grocery store. There are a | | | | green color substance. |
| number of different flavors to choose from and | | | | The doctor may take stool and blood tests and |
| all are easy to ingest. Do not add sugar or water | | | | most likely prescribe an antibiotic to help your |
| to these drinks, they are designed to rehydrate | | | | child. Sometimes there will be an anti nausea |
| the body with the correct combination of salts, | | | | medicine prescribed to assist in the vomiting and |
| sugars and water. If you add things to the | | | | fluid loss. In severe cases of fluid loss, the child |
| mixture this will delay in the body recovering | | | | may be admitted into the hospital and an IV will |
| properly. | | | | be placed into the child'[s veins. He or she will be |
| If vomiting is involved with the child, you can | | | | monitored regularly and the doctor will be |
| administer these solutions a teaspoon at a time | | | | informed continually; the doctor will also visit the |
| every two minutes. Increase the quantity as the | | | | child to check the progress he or she is making |
| child is able to hold it down. One can also | | | | and if they are responding to treatment. If the |
| incorporate these solutions into ice chips for the | | | | illness continues for days, the doctor will be kept |
| child who is vomiting frequently. This, too, will | | | | informed not only of the temperature, blood |
| supply their body with constant fluids. | | | | oxygen levels and daily weight of the child; but |
| This procedure should be followed until the child is | | | | also make any changes in treatment the doctor |
| over the diarrhea. However, if the condition lasts | | | | may prescribe. |