How to Prevent and Treat the Stomach Flu
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
It seems like everyone knows someone who’s had the stomach bug recently. “We think of this time of year mainly as the season for respiratory illnesses, but it’s actually high time for the spread of GI viruses,” says Julia Shaklee Sammons, MD, MSCE, Assistant Vice President of the Office of Preparedness, Prevention and Response at CHOP. The main reason: We’re all cooped up inside, keeping us in close contact with one another — and those nasty viruses.
Once the stomach bug hits your family, you never want to get it again. But can you actually avoid a norovirus infection? And if your kid manages to dodge the nasty virus half their classmates get, can your family really get through the spring without getting sick?
We asked Dr. Sammons for her best tips on how to prevent the spread of norovirus. (Newsflash: Your whole family doesn’t have to get it — really!) Plus, she offers advice on caring for a child who does get sick.
First, a few gross facts: “Norovirus, which is by far the most common stomach bug, is spread when stool or vomit from an infected person accidentally gets in your mouth,” says Dr. Sammons. “We shed billions of norovirus particles in our stool and vomit when we’re sick, and it takes less than 100 particles for the virus to infect someone else.” That means touching a surface, object or a piece of food with even a small amount of a virus on it can easily spread if your child touches it and then puts his fingers in his mouth. Yuck!
Proper hand hygiene is key to stopping the spread of stomach bugs. Remind everyone in your family about the two most important times to wash up with soap and water:
Hand sanitizer can be used throughout the day, but it shouldn’t take the place of hand washing before eating or after using the bathroom.
It’s also important to clean surfaces more frequently, especially if someone was recently sick in your home. “Noroviruses can live on surfaces and objects for days to weeks,” warns Dr. Sammons. That means it’s important to clean kitchen counter tops with soap and water and wipe family room surfaces and toys with a disinfecting wipe. “Use a bleach-containing solution when cleaning up vomit and diarrhea, and launder contaminated clothes immediately,” adds Dr. Sammons.
Thankfully, most norovirus infections only last about a day or two (even though caring for a kid who’s constantly throwing up or running to the bathroom can make those two days feel much longer!). Plus, the primary treatment for a child with a GI virus focuses on rehydration, which you can do at home.
While kids are sick, it’s important to:
Wondering when it’s time to take your child in for care? Or whether your child has something other than a stomach virus? Dr. Sammons says to call your pediatrician if:
These symptoms could indicate severe dehydration that needs to be treated with intravenous (IV) fluids, or a bacterial or other GI illness that requires care beyond rehydration.
“Although noroviruses are common this time of year, infection usually does not lead to any long-term effects,” says Dr. Sammons. “However, it’s important to trust your gut — if your child is showing any signs of dehydration or if you have any other concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.”
Contributed by: Julia Shaklee Sammons, MD, MSCE , Lori Handy, MD, MSCE
Categories: Health & Wellness, Parenting
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