The Stomach Virus in Small Children

Viral gastroenteritis is an infection that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting. Many types of viruses can be caused by viral gastroenteritis. In children, the culprit is the rotavirus. The rotavirus is a common stomach virus among children, as the virus can easily spread in schools and day care centers. Your child's first bout with rotavirus will be the worst. Any subsequent stomach virus after that will not be as severe. The best method for treating the disease is prevention.

What is Rotavirus

• The rotavirus is one of the largest causes of illnesses in children before they reach the age of 5. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is common for many children to be sick with the rotavirus by the time they turn 3. The virus spreads from hand to mouth contact, when someone who is sick coughs or sneezes near you, or through contaminated food. In many instances, a child can become sick with the virus when he touches a contaminated surface that contains the rotavirus. For example, if a sick child at your child's school doesn't wash his hands after using the restroom, then plays with a toy, the virus is spread onto the toy. When your child picks up this toy, the virus is spread to your child when your child puts her hand into her mouth.

Incubation

• After your child becomes infected with the virus, it will take a few days before symptoms begin to manifest. When symptoms become present, your child will be irritable. Though you may be alarmed, it is common for your child to have projectile vomiting and severe bouts of diarrhea. Your child will develop a fever within the first two days of their illness. The rotavirus can last for up to a week. It is important to seek medical attention if your child has a fever that reaches higher than 102 degrees F.

Hydration

• You will need to ensure that your child takes in fluid during illness. Children can develop severe dehydration due to the amount of vomiting that occurs. Your child may want to gulp down large quantities of fluid at a time. Try to prevent children from doing this, and only allow them to sip water or Gatorade. Taking in too much fluid at one time can actually cause your child to vomit more. You can also have your child suck on Popsicles or Pedialyte pops. According to the Mayo Clinic, if your child begins to complain of being overly thirsty, has a dry mouth (white blobs at the corner of their mouth), barely urinates, becomes weak or dizzy, this may be a sign of dehydration.

Vaccination

• It is important to keep your children's vaccines current. According to the World Health Organization, the rotavirus causes more than 500,000 deaths worldwide. There are two types of vaccines offered for the rotavirus: Rotateq and Rotarix. Infants receive Rotateq, which is given in two month intervals, three times, between 2 to 6 months. Rotarix is for children between 6 months to two years of age.

Other Preventive Measures

• Other than vaccinating your children against the rotavirus, washing your hands and cleaning contaminated surfaces is the only other preventative measure you can take. It is important to clean up surfaces your child vomits on. Feces should also be cleaned up from surfaces, such as changing tables. Using Clorox wipes can easily clean up contaminated surfaces, as well as disinfect. If toys, linens and clothing become soiled, wash in hot water and dry products in the hottest possible setting. Always wash your hands if you come into contact with contaminated surfaces. You can also help prevent other family members from becoming sick, by keeping your child in one localized room during their illness.