Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) in Children

Stomach Flu in Kids: What Ontario Parents Need to Know

When your child has both vomiting and diarrhea, it's usually gastroenteritis (stomach flu), and while it feels awful for everyone involved, most kids recover completely at home within a few days.

What's going on?

Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually caused by a virus like norovirus or rotavirus. Sometimes bacteria or parasites are the culprit, but viruses are most common in children.

Your child likely picked this up from another sick person, contaminated food, or touching surfaces where germs were lurking. It's incredibly contagious, which is why it spreads so quickly through daycares, schools, and families.

The good news? Most stomach flu episodes in healthy children resolve on their own within 3 to 7 days. Your child's body is working hard to fight off the infection and get back to normal.

What you might notice

- Vomiting that may be sudden and forceful

- Watery diarrhea (sometimes with mucus)

- Stomach cramps and pain

- Low fever (usually under 38.5°C)

- Loss of appetite

- Fatigue and irritability

What helps at home

The most important thing is preventing dehydration. Offer small, frequent sips of clear fluids like water, diluted apple juice, or oral rehydration solutions from the pharmacy. Ice chips or freezies can work well for kids who keep vomiting up liquids.

Hold off on solid foods until vomiting stops for at least 4 hours. When your child feels ready to eat, start with bland foods like toast, crackers, bananas, or rice. Avoid dairy, fatty foods, and anything too sweet until their stomach settles.

Rest is crucial. Keep your child home and comfortable while their body fights the infection. Wash hands frequently and disinfect surfaces to prevent spreading it to the rest of the family.

When to worry

Head to the emergency room if your child shows signs of severe dehydration: no tears when crying, very dry mouth, no urination for 8+ hours, extreme sleepiness, or dizziness when standing.

Contact your doctor or text Arlo if the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, if there's blood in vomit or stool, if fever rises above 38.5°C, or if you're worried about dehydration but it's not an emergency yet.

The takeaway

Stomach flu is miserable but temporary. Focus on keeping your child hydrated and comfortable, and trust that their body knows how to heal. You've got this.

You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!

References

- [Gastroenteritis in children](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/gastroenteritis)

- [Dehydration and your child](https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=776&language=English)

- [Vomiting and diarrhea](https://www.ontario.ca/page/vomiting-and-diarrhea)