Throwing up or vomiting is not a sign of danger and a cause to worry when it comes to toddlers. Kids tend to vomit if they are too full, if they are down with cold, or are having a stomach upset. However, toddlers may have stomach virus. This condition is called as viral gastroenteritis.
Commonly known as stomach flu, viral gastroenteritis leads to an illness that lasts for two to ten days, depending on the severity of the problem. Children who are infected with this health issue tend to vomit almost anything that they eat and may also have diarrhea. The infection generally begins with a moderate fever.
This is not a serious problem if it is addressed properly and at the right time. But it may be serious if the child is vomiting blood. This calls for urgent medical treatment.
Treating Stomach Flu
Remember the child’s stomach is very tender at this point of time. Be careful while you give food to your child. Your child may have a tendency to throw up whatever you give him or her. Call the doctor if your child keeps vomiting continuously for over 12 hours and is between the ages of one to three years.
If your child asks for water, do not give more than two to three sips in every ten to fifteen minutes. It is important to keep your child hydrated; however, too much water can aggravate the situation. Do not worry if your child is weak and exhausted. Let your child rest as it will bring down the fatigue levels.
When the vomiting frequency comes down to two to four times a day, you can try to introduce soft food to your child. Try to give bland foods like a broth, soup, or plain toast as the stomach hasn’t fully recovered yet. If your child throws up the food, do not panic. Discontinue the food till the vomiting stops completely.
Contact a pediatrician to avoid any complications. Seek proper medical advice to ensure that your child recovers quickly.
Look out for signs of dehydration like dry mouth, little or no urination, crying without any tears, little or no response from the child, sleeping unusually, and so on. If you notice any of these signs make sure that you seek a doctor’s help immediately without much delay.
Lastly, make sure the surroundings of the child are clean and you observe cleanliness to the maximum to avoid more infections.
Submitted by P T on April 19, 2010 at 05:08