Stomach Flu

When my daughter was having the same symptoms. My NP advised us to use pedialyte popsicles (to avoid dehydration) and to give fluids in 15 min increments, without allowing her to have more that a few ounces at a time. It seemed to help us.

My kids are passing this around this week.

I had two sick with it on Monday but they felt better on Tuesday afternoon and were back in school. Hubby is still sick with it and my 2 1/2 year old has it now.

The main thing my doc recommends is 1tsp of water every 15 minutes. Once they can keep that down, after about 5-6 hours then do some clear liquids and the next day bland foods and the BRAT diet to help with diarrhea.

Other then that, lots of cuddles and I let them veg and watch whatever they want.

My little guy hates Pedialyte and won't touch it so I buy Liquidlites and sugar free popsicles. That really helps him stay hydrated.

A.,

My son just got over this. His doctor said put him on a blan diet. She also gave him a pill to take once a day to stop the throwing up. Its and expensive pill but theres a generic thats a little less expensive. She said its the only real thing that works.

A. S.

The Isomil DF formula is what our pediatrician recommended to help thicken things up. It is the "diarrhea formula," so it is easy on those little tummies. It will help your daughter get some nutrition too.

Our son didn't really care for the formula with his stomach bug, but LOVED popsicles that we'd cut up into bite-sized pieces. He lived on popsicles for a couple of days...

Good luck. This bug is nasty!

Revert to a clear liquid diet until she has not thrown up a few "meals". Then, you can proceed to a the BRAT diet as tolerated: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, & Toast.
Gradually introduce more starchy foods. DON'T overfeed even of she begs for it!! Take it from someone who has been there through 3 weeks of vomiting and throwing up only to have my son develop gastroenteritis (sp?) and be hospitalized for 3 days! You don't want to go there....If the tummy swells at all, take her to the ER and demand she be hydrated and remove her from anything oral. Don't let them give you the "does she have tears" gig. They sent us home the first time i took my son to the ER and we ended up going to a different hospital.

One fun thing to do is a tea party with herbal teas....
Hope she is well soon!! liz

both of my girls are just getting over this - what helped us was doing about 2 tsps. of fluid every 5 minutes as long as she kept it down (if we let her drink to much she would throw up again) - after 4 hours of keeping it down we would give her a little more at a time and some crackers - later we tried a little chicken and rice soup - eventually she kept everything down - the trick for us was just not giving her too much at a time even when she told us she was still thursty - you just have to wait it out - my little girl threw up for a day and a half before we got it under control (it started saturday morning for us and we are still having some diarrhea diapers, but no more fever and she is acting like herself again) - i'm not a doctor or a nurse (we did spend quite a few days at their office though), but this is what we were told and what helped us - good luck - hope your little one feels better soon!

My 15 month old had it about a month ago, and it was horrible because I didn't know how to help him. I just held him and let him sleep on me until he woke up to throw up again. I know it sounds gross, but I just had a paper cup that I would hold in front of him to throw up in. I felt so bad for the angel. He wanted water a few hours into it, and I went ahead and gave it to him because it was the only thing he wanted. Of course, he threw it up not long after, but it soothed him for a while. I hear a lot of people talking about the BRAT diet, but I've never heard of that. I just gave him bland foods the next day. It took him a couple of days to finally start eating. It'll be over soon. I think ours lasted about 7 or 8 hours. Give her lots of hugs and kisses.

hi, A.!
I have also responded to a mom whose child had a rotavirus and won't take anything. Try switching temporarily to soy based milk once she is able to keep something down. We were told by our pediatrician that the child temporarily develops lactose intolerance until the virus is completely gone. Also, try the BRAT diet.
It must have been hard for you and your daughter. Hope she gets well really soon!

R. L

I have 3 teens...and have had lots of experience with tummy aches, flu, and others...my dr. provided me with a surefire aid for these happenings....first...the illness will have to run it's course...sooo here's what to do...provide the B.R.A.T diet.....Bananas, Rice, Apples/Applesauce, Toast....these things are easy on the stomach..and provide all the natural electrolytes we need to recoup. in addition...push the fluids as much as possible...
hope this helps some....

Give her a tablespoon of water or electrolytes several times an hour so she does not get dehydrated. My little girl liked to play in the tub when she was sick with this. Playing in the water distracted her from feeling bad. Wash your hands like crazy so that you don't get it, too!

My 15 mth old daughter had the same thing last week. It lasted about 4-5 days. It was so miserable for me and her!! Everyone recommended the B.R.A.T. Diet (Bananas,Rice,Applesauce,Toast) Which worked out very well once she was able to hold down anything. Try avoiding all dairy and if your child is like mine, she can't stand pedialyte. Try gatorade, its the same thing and less expensive. Try giving a teaspoon every 15 min or so until she's able to tolerate more.Deydration is the main key you need to watch for!! (Less frequent pp diapers, less tears, etc.)Good luck. I was there just last week and this is our 2nd time already this winter! It's very scary and stressful for you both, but hang in there and it will pass pretty fast. If you need anything, just let me know!!

B.

My son has also had the virus since Thursday. He just can't seem to shake it. I've had to be more lenient on him being able to play video games and watch more tv because that's all he has energy to do.

My doctor said no dairy products or sugars, but to push the starchy foods. I'm not sure how that would work with a 19 month old.

Good luck!

This advice won't help your child but it will help you if you happen to contract the virus. There is nothing more miserable than being sick yourself and having to care for a sick infant at the same time!
I'm suprised no one has mentioned this one. This is only for adults and children old enough to take Pepto-Bismol (I think age 12 and up but check the directions to make sure; adhere to warnings on the back as well; don't take acetometiphin drugs while taking Pepto-Bismol ect...).
Have them take 1/2 to 1/4 dose of Pepto-Bismol ever hour until vomiting subsides. Adults can take a full dose each time.
The virus lives in the stomach lining. The Pepto coats the stomach lining and "suffocates" the virus. Essentially cutting off its access to nutrients.
Both my doctor and my DH's doctor told us to use pepto whenever a stomach virus crops up.
It will turn poop an ugly green color, but that means it's working.
Every time my DH or I get a bout of stomach virus we take pepto. It usually stops vomiting in it's tracks so we rarely have to take more than a couple of doses.
RPocia