Baby Stomach Flu Treatment

Commonly called "stomach flu," viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States, according to the National Institute of Health. This virus affects people of all ages and is highly contagious, as it is transmitted easily through contact with infected people, food and surfaces. Symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration---a primary concern, especially in babies. Antibiotics are no help against a virus, but it should resolve on its own, even in babies, as long as the lost fluids are replaced.

Symptoms

• Viral gastroenteritis attacks the cells that line the wall of the small intestine, causing watery diarrhea and vomiting---which can lead to dehydration, especially in babies. Symptoms of dehydration in infants and babies include any or all of the following: decreased tears, little to no urine (for six hours or more) or dark-yellow urine, cool hands and feet, a sunken soft spot, excessive sleepiness or fussiness, extreme thirst (sometimes exhibited by dry lips) and fever. According to the NIH, rotavirus is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in young children and infants and, unlike other viruses that cause this illness, it can be detected in stool. Thus, to make a diagnosis, a doctor may opt to test a child's stool sample in addition to performing a physical exam on the young patient. In babies, acute symptoms due to rotavirus infection can last anywhere from three to eight days.

Treatment of Symptoms

• Although there is no cure for gastroenteritis, you can relieve your baby's symptoms by keeping him/her hydrated. Your baby may not tolerate breast milk or formula while he/she is suffering acute symptoms of the virus, so opt for electrolyte-replacement drinks like Pedialyte, Rehydralyte or Enfalyte until the baby can eat again. It is important to note that, while drinking fluids can cure mild dehydration, severe dehydration requires hospitalization and the administering of IV fluids.