No one enjoys being sick, so when it is your child that’s fallen ill, you’ll do all you can to put them on track to a speedy recovery. While the stomach flu is common in young children, it can be treated. The stomach flu can cause your child to experience chills, fevers, diarrhea, nausea and aches and pains. What exactly is the stomach flu though? The correct term for the stomach flu is gastroenteritis. It is an illness that causes inflammation of the intestines and the stomach. Any adult who’s experienced the stomach flu knows how difficult it can be to bear the aches and pains that accompany the virus, so it must be even more difficult for your child. This is why the quicker it is treated, the better the outcome will be. How will you treat the stomach flu? While there is no fast cure, there are several ways to treat the stomach flu.
Rest
One of the most important remedies of the stomach flu is getting rest. Encourage your child to rest as much as possible, as this is the best way to fight the virus. Try to keep the \r\nactivities to a minimum in order to get the adequate amount of rest that your child’s body will require. That will mean lots of sleep! This will also mean a lot of lying on the couch when your child isn’t actually sleeping. Remember, this will assist in the repairing of damaged cells and the fighting off of the virus.
Fluids
Another method of treating the stomach flu is by drinking a lot of fluids. This is vital in the fight against the illness. This is especially essential when your child is experiencing a fever and/or vomiting. In these cases, lots of fluid is needed in order to prevent them from becoming dehydrated. The best types of fluids for the stomach flu are the clear ones, such as water. If your child is a bit older, sports drinks may be a good choice as well. If your child is having trouble with keeping the fluid down, give him or her small sips at intervals. A bit of tea should also assist in reducing the nausea. Carbonated beverages and sugary drinks may only make the illness worse, so avoid those at all costs.
Medication
While medication is a favorable way to treat the illness, this should be done with some degree of caution. The safest way to use medication to fight the stomach flu is to have a meal before taking it. For aches and pains associated with the stomach flu, Tylenol is usually the way to go. If your child is experiencing nausea or diarrhea, Pepto-Bismol may be the best option. This is very good in fighting off diarrhea in particular. Before treating with over-the-counter medication, however, speak to a healthcare professional.
Getting the stomach flu can be a very miserable time for your child. By utilizing these small treatment methods, the discomfort and misery may be reduced. In order to avoid getting the stomach flu again, encourage your child to get plenty of rest during flu season and to wash their hands on a regular basis.
