Signs of the Stomach Flu in Toddlers

If your toddler starts to toss and turn, sometimes in the wee hours of the night, complaining of a stomachache and nausea or vomiting, it may be a sign that the little one has contracted the stomach flu. This malady is quite common on the list of childhood sicknesses and usually disappears within a couple of days.

Abdominal Pain

• When children show signs of stomach flu, or "gastroenteritis" they usually complain about an aggravating abdominal pain. At this stage, it is important to get them to indicate exactly where it hurts. With toddlers, locating the pain is much less difficult than with infants because they can easily indicate where exactly it hurts. Location of the pain is essential to rule out other possible causes such as the liver, the spleen or the appendix.

Vomiting

• Vomiting is a tell-tale sign of stomach flu, as your toddler's system is trying to rid itself of the bug that is causing the stomach flu. Vomiting will usually be mild, but it can lead to dehydration.

Diarrhea

• Making multiple trips to the toilet because of diarrhea is another symptom of this viral invader. Diarrhea, especially if it is chronic, can cause children to lose many vital fluids and nutrients, making it essential to keep them well-hydrated. It these cases it is not a good idea to use anti-diarrhea medication, since that will only cause the virus to remain in the intestine and reproduce.

Dehydration

• According to the Everything Parents Guide to Childhood Illnesses, dehydration occur if your child has stomach flu. The authors emphasize that replacing liquids lost through vomiting and diarrhea is vital for your child's well-being. A significant drop in energy levels, sleepiness and crankiness are all indicators sign that your child might be dehydrated.

Food Poisoning of Stomach Flu?

• Many times food poisoning in the form of Salmonella, for example, will cause the same symptoms as the stomach flu. However, there is one main difference; the stomach flu is a condition that gradually gets worse over a period of days while signs of food poisoning, i.e. intense vomiting, occur within about 12 hours of the time on infection (Young and Lannelli, 2007).

Prevention

• In spelling out the usual causes of stomach flu Young and Lannelli emphasize that the virus in toddler-aged children is usually spread through digital contact. After hours on the playground, children's hands may accidentally touch the contaminated skin of other children or traces of the virus left on toys or the ground. Training children to wash their hands and avoid putting their hands in their mouth will prevent many long hours of suffering for the toddler as well as the parent.