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How do
I treat viral gastroenteritis in my TODDLER/CHILD (Over 12 months old)?
Or is your child as INFANT?
Click here if your child is
less than one year old.
Children over 12 months old (toddlers and children) with
viral gastroenteritis can be treated at home. If you child has vomiting
with no other symptoms but is alert and hydrated the first few hours just
offer your child comfort measures. A cool washcloth and a calm environment
is very helpful. We do not recommend any medicine to stop the vomiting or
to ease the diarrhea. These medicines will sometime prolong an illness
that usually will go away in 1-2 days. Sometimes they can cause bloody
diarrhea or worsening symptoms.
Occasionally Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be used to
lessen pain. Other than acetaminophen, do not use any other medicine to
treat nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea without a physician’s
direction. Ibuprofen products like Motrin or Advil sometimes can make
abdominal pain worse.
Do not force
fluids the first 1-2 hours your child begins to vomit. Usually the
child will vomit everything you force right back. If your child drank/ate
normally up to the first episode of vomiting, your child will not get
dehydrated the first few hours of vomiting. Fluids offered when vomiting
should replace the electrolytes and sugar lost by the body during the
illness. "Clear liquids" are best. "Electrolyte Solutions"
like Pedialyte are best to help your child get better faster. Plain
water with no sugar or electrolytes is not a good idea. Gatorade,
Sprite/7-UP, ginger ale, or even popsicles are considered clear liquids
but often don't provide the best balance of electrolytes and glucose to
offer during a vomiting illness.
After the
first 2-4 hours of vomiting the episodes of vomiting or dry heaving are
less frequent and you can start forcing small amounts of liquid. Most
children are ready to start sipping fluids the first 2-4 hours of a
vomiting illness. For toddlers offer 5-10mL of clear liquids (Pedialyte) every five minutes. As your child is able to tolerate more
liquid you can increase the amount given at one time. As your child is
able to tolerate more liquid you can increase the amount given at one
time. Starting off with this small amount of liquid at a time allows the
esophagus to absorb some of the liquid without overwhelming the stomach
and causing more vomiting. Offering this small amount of fluid frequently
should keep your child hydrated even if they keep vomiting the first 12-24
hours of their illness.
After 4-6
hours your child should be able to tolerate some small amounts of liquid.
This should keep your child hydrated. Some children continue to vomit for
2-3 days, but usually just a few times each day. Watch for signs of
dehydration or worsening symptoms.
Click
here for the signs of dehydration.
Click here for reasons to call the
office.
Once your
child’s vomiting has stopped you may offer a bland diet (crackers, broth,
etc.) If he is able to tolerate this bland food challenge after 6-12 hours
you may offer regular food. If your child vomits as you try to progress
his diet go back to the type of diet he was on before he started vomiting
again. For example if he tolerate crackers and broth but vomits a
hamburger offer him only a bland diet for another 6-12 hours. Usually
within 2-3 days children can return to a normal diet.
Once the
vomiting is completely over most children can return to their normal diet
even if they still have diarrhea. Only a few children out of a hundred
will develop a short term bout of lactose intolerance. If your child seems
to be getting better but has worse diarrhea with regular milk or dairy
products you will want to discuss with our office if a special
lactose-free diet is necessary.
Click here for reasons to call the
office.
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