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Signs & Symptoms of Stomach Flu in Infants

The stomach flu is a virus that is caught by coming into direct contain with a virus. The stomach virus multiplies in the small intestines and stomach flu symptoms will appear within a couple of days. Infants put many things in their mouth that could have the stomach flu virus on them, putting them at risk of getting this illness. If a parent suspects their infant has the stomach flu, there are signs and symptoms to look for.

  1. Diarrhea

    • Infants who have the stomach flu will have diarrhea. It is sometimes difficult to tell if an infant has diarrhea because their stools are generally soft to begin with, especially in breastfed babies. If the infant starts passing more stools suddenly and they are very watery, it is most likely diarrhea. When an infant has diarrhea due to the stomach flu, the parent or caregiver should give the infant extra fluid to compensate for the excess fluid that is lost in the stools.

    Vomiting

    • Vomiting is a sign that an infant has the stomach flu. Vomiting in infants when they have the stomach flu usually is harmless. However, if the infant vomits frequently and can not keep fluid down, they may become dehydrated. If the infant develops dehydration, they will be lethargic and have a decreased urine output. Vomiting generally subsides within 24 hours.

    Fever

    • For an infant who has the stomach flu, a fever is a sign that their body is trying to fight the infection. An infant who has a rectal temperature of at least 100.4 has a fever. If the infant is less than three months old and their body temperature reaches at least 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, medical attention needs to be sought. If the infant is over three months old, medical attention should be sought when their temperature reaches 101 degrees. Medical attention does not need to be sought in infants above six months of age until their temperature reaches 103 degrees. Infants who have a high temperature may have a febrile seizure.

    Stomach Pain

    • Infants who have the stomach flu will have stomach pain. Since an infant can not talk, it is difficult for a parent to tell if their child's stomach hurts. Therefore, they will have to look for indicators that their infant is in pain. These indicators include increased fussiness and acting uncomfortable or crying after eating.

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