Gastroenteritis (stomach flu) is an inflammation disease affecting the digestive tract which can cause vomiting, and diarrhea. The other related symptoms may include fever, nausea, muscle pain and abdominal cramp. It can be caused by virus, bacteria and parasites. Viral gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus, norovirus (Norwalk and Norwalk-like virus), adenovirus, sapovirus and astrovirus , is highly contagious and it is the second most common disease in the US. Outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis may occur in daycares, schools, households, and cruise ship. Severe vomiting and watery diarrhea occur 1-2 days after viral infection and the symptom can last from one to ten days.
Rotavirus infection is the most common causes of infectious diarrhea in young children. Rotavirus vaccine is available for infants and young children. There are no vaccines available for other types of viral gastroenteritis.
No special treatment is required for most cases of gastroenteritis. In children, vomiting and diarrhea are harmful because they lead dehydration. Make sure drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Pedialyte, or Infalyte provides not only fluids but also electrolytes. Apple juice is good to provide both fluid and energy. Although younger children drink a lot of milk but milk and other dairy food make diarrhea and vomiting worse. They are on the top of the forbidden food list.
- Milk or dairy food
- Orange juice
- Fatty foods
- Things hard to digest such as Onion, beans, cabbage, peas, broccoli and cauliflower
- Candy
- Banana
- White rice, mashed potatoes
- Apple
- Toast, crackers
- Oatmeal
Because it is so contagious, some daycare will allow children return to school only after 24 hours free of diarrhea or vomiting. Parents need to have temporary arrangement to care for the little ones. At the meantime, wash hands with soaps; clean the massy throw-up with bleach detergent, and try to prevent spreads of viral infection.
