Technical Names: Gastroenteritis, Enteritis, Gastritis
NickNames: stomach flu, stomach bug, intestinal infection, puking virus
Typical Ages for Illness: all ages
What is it: infection of the gastrointestinal system – can involved the stomach, intestines, or both
Typical Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, +/- fever, abdominal pain/cramps, +/- headache, aches and pains, fatigue, +/- bloody stools
Etiology: viruses and bacteria most commonly – many, many culprits including astroviruses, caliciviruses, enteroviruses, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, Campylobacter, E.Coli, Salmonella, Shigella
Seasonal Issues: year round
How’s It Spread? Person to person by fecal/oral route and oral/oral route – i.e. getting it on hands, not washing hands, sharing of food, water bottles and utensils etc.; sometimes food-borne
Incubation Period? 1 to 4 days for most
Symptom Duration: depends on the etiology but can last 1-2 days to 1-2 weeks
Treatment:
- Hydration at home: electrolyte solutions such as pedialyte and Gatorade. May need to use small frequent amounts and build up in amount if vomiting present.
- Hydration in the ER or Hospital: IV hydration may be needed if a child can not drink enough to compensate for the fluids lost with vomiting and diarrhea.
- Food: none if vomiting is active. Once vomiting subsides, BRAT diet: bread and bananas, rice, apple sauce, toast. Small amounts and increase slowly. Avoid fatty foods and dairy during active symptoms.
Call Your Pediatrician If: Your child can not drink enough to keep up with vomiting and diarrhea, is not urinating, has bloody stools or blood tinged vomit, appears ill, has fever with the symptoms.
Prevention: Good hand washing and toilet hygiene.
School and After school Activity Issues
- No school until fever free for 24hours and vomiting free for 24hours
- No school or activities if diarrhea is present; wait for stools to normalize.
- The child should be able to eat and drink normally and have energy to get through the day; once the symptoms have abated, the child is not contagious.
Internet Resources for Parents
CDC Gastroenteritis Information
Internet Resources for Kids and Teens
KidsHealth Stomach Flu Info For Kids
KidsHealth Teen Info on Gastroenteritis
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