Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) in Kids and Teens

Also called: Stomach Flu, Stomach Bug, Stomach Virus

Overview

What is Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)?

Gastroenteritis (gass-troh-en-teh-RYE-tis), often called the stomach flu, is a common illness that causes nausea, vomiting, belly cramps, and diarrhea. It usually lasts a few days and isn't serious. Most kids and teens get better at home by resting and drinking plenty of liquids.

The stomach flu is different from the flu (or influenza). Some of the symptoms can be the same, but the flu tends to cause a cough, sore throat, or runny nose.

Top Things to Know

• Gastroenteritis (stomach flu) is an infection of the digestive system.
• Symptoms can include diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to a loss of fluids.
• Most kids recover with rest and fluids. Severe cases may need hospital care.
• Hand washing and avoiding sick people can help prevent gastroenteritis.

Signs & Symptoms

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Stomach Flu?

The most common signs of stomach flu are vomiting and diarrhea. When kids and teens have diarrhea or vomiting, they lose lots of fluid in their poop or vomit. This can lead to dehydration (not having enough water in the body). If that happens, the body can have trouble working as it should.

Other signs and symptoms of stomach flu in kids may include:

• fever
• nausea
• belly cramps
• headache
• muscle aches
• chills

Stomach flu often has the same symptoms as food poisoning (an illness from having foods or drinks that contain germs). If more than one person ate the same thing and got sick around the same time, it could be food poisoning.

Causes & Prevention

What Causes Stomach Flu?

Stomach flu happens when germs (viruses, bacteria, or parasites) infect the stomach or intestines, causing inflammation.

In kids and teens, viruses are the most common cause of stomach flu. Many viruses, like norovirus and rotavirus, can lead to stomach flu. The rotavirus vaccine can help prevent cases caused by that virus.

Is Stomach Flu Contagious?

The germs that cause stomach flu are contagious (spread from person to person). So people can get sick if they:

• Touch something that has germs on it and then touch food or their mouth.
• Share food or drinks with someone who is sick.
• Live with someone who’s infected, even if that person isn’t ill.

Kids and teens are most contagious while they have symptoms, but even after they’re feeling better, they can spread stomach flu to other people days or weeks after getting the illness. It depends on the kind of germ that caused it.

Can Stomach Flu Be Prevented?

The best way to avoid the illness is to keep the germs from spreading:

• Teach all family members to wash their hands well and often. They should wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. This is especially important after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food. Hand sanitizer doesn’t work well against many of these viruses.
• Clean tabletops, doorknobs, and other surfaces that get touched a lot with a cleaner that kills viruses.
• Follow food safety guidelines to prevent bacteria and viruses from getting into food and drinks to avoid food poisoning.
• Make sure your kids get all recommended immunizations (vaccines or shots) on time.

How Is Stomach Flu Diagnosed?

Doctors can often tell if someone has stomach flu by hearing about the symptoms. Usually, no tests are needed. If kids are very sick or have blood or mucus in poop, doctors might order a stool (poop) test, urine (pee) test, or blood test to check for dehydration and see what’s causing the symptoms.

Treatment & Home Care

How Is Stomach Flu Treated?

There’s no specific treatment for stomach flu from viruses, and most kids and teens can be treated at home. Keep your child hydrated by offering plenty of liquids. Kids with more severe dehydration may need treatment in the ER or hospital.

Mild dehydration is treated with oral (by mouth) rehydration. This usually includes giving oral rehydration solution (like Pedialyte, Enfalyte, or a store brand). It has the right amounts of water, sugar, and salt to help with dehydration. You can buy it without a prescription at drugstores, supermarkets, or online. If you can’t get oral rehydration solution, talk to your doctor.

How Can I Care for My Child at Home?

If your child has mild dehydration and your doctor says it’s OK to start treatment at home:

• Give your child small amounts of an oral electrolyte solution often. If your child throws up, start with small sips, about 1 or 2 teaspoons every few minutes.
• Babies can keep breastfeeding or taking formula as long as they’re not throwing up over and over.
• Don’t give babies plain water instead of oral rehydration solution. It doesn't have the right nutrients for infants who are dehydrated.
• Try giving older kids frozen electrolyte popsicles.
• Avoid giving your child undiluted (full-strength) juice, soda, or sports drinks. These have a lot of sugar, which can make diarrhea worse.

How Else Can I Help My Child Feel Better?

Diet. When your child stops vomiting, you can offer small amounts of solid foods, such as toast, crackers, rice, or mashed potatoes. Yogurt, fruits, vegetables, and lean meat (like chicken) are also OK. 

Kids who aren’t throwing up can eat a regular diet, if they feel up to it. It may take time for them to feel like eating. There's no need to avoid dairy unless it makes the vomiting or diarrhea worse. Avoid fatty foods though because they can worsen diarrhea.

Rest. To help kids feel better, let them rest as needed. 

Medicine. If your doctor says it’s OK, you can give medicine for fever or pain, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but don’t give ibuprofen to babies younger than 6 months. Follow the package directions for how much medicine to give and how often. Also, don't give aspirin to your child or teen. It's linked to a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.

Don’t give medicines for diarrhea or vomiting unless your doctor tells you to.

Places to avoid. Keep kids out of school or childcare until it’s been more than 24 hours without vomiting or fever and diarrhea has gotten better. Kids also should stay out of swimming pools until all symptoms have stopped.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call the doctor if your child:

• can’t drink for several hours
• is peeing less often (no pee for more than 4–6 hours for babies and 6–8 hours for older children)
• has signs of dehydration, like crying with few or no tears, having a dry mouth or cracked lips, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, or acting very sleepy or less alert
• has a high fever
• has blood in poop or vomit
• vomits for more than 24 hours or the diarrhea doesn’t get better after several days

Other Common Questions

How Can I Help When My Child Is Deyhdrated?

Sometimes kids lose fluids and salts through fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating. Try these tips to treat or prevent dehydration.

What Can I Do if My Child Is Vomiting?

Vomiting (throwing up) can cause kids to lose fluids, salts, and minerals. Here’s how to help them recover.

When Should I Call the Doctor About Nausea?

Nausea or feeling sick to the stomach often happens before kids throw up. It’s rarely serious, but sometimes it’s best to call your doctor. Learn when to get medical advice.