Living With The Flu
by aearthurAt some point or another your child is bound to succumb to the flu.
There are many types of flu your child can catch. For this article we’ll focus on the stomach flu, since that seems to be so common and so rampant among young children.
Just in case you are not familiar, the stomach flu is more commonly characterized by the following:
If your son or daugher exhibits one or more of these symptoms there is a strong chance they may have the stomach flu.
Causes of the Stomach Flu
There are many different causes of stomach flu, though more commonly stomach flu is caused by bacteria and other viruses.
At times your child may demonstrate symptoms of the stomach flu resulting from food poisoning.
Treating The Stomach Flu
If your child demonstrates symptoms of the flu you should do your best to make sure you provide your child with plenty of rehydrating fluids.
Electrolyte replacement formulas, apple juice and plain water all all good substitutes. If your child is not able to keep fluids down, he or she may lose too much fluid and you may need to take them to the hospital so they can receive IV care.
Most of the time the stomach flu resolves itself in 24 hours or less. Sometimes it may last as long as 48 hours. If your child is demonstrating symptoms longer than this you should seek the advice of your healthcare provider.
Don’t give your child any medicines for the stomach flu without first consulting your pediatrician. Some over the counter medications for stomach upset are dangerous when given to children.
You should also call your doctor if your child’s fever persists for more than 24 hours or if your child has a high temperature. Other causes for concern include blood in the stool or vomit. Lack of urination may also be a sign your child is dehydrated.
Be sure you contact your health care providers office for more information about treating the stomach flu. Fortuantely most kids recover quickly from the stomach flu and are back to their usual selves within a day or so!
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