How to Recognize Gastroenteritis 2016/11/10

Gastroenteritis or stomach flu is the inflammation of the stomach and/or intestine caused by a multitude of viruses.

Gastroenteritis happens after 4 to 48 hours from contact with the infected person or from eating contaminated food. In this case it must not be confused with indigestion!

The symptoms are the classic discomfort, nausea, fever, gurgle in the abdomen, cramps and even vomit and diarrhea. Followed by loss of appetite and weight. It is required to be careful with dehydration: thirst, dry skin or uncomfortable feeling on the eyes due to dryness being a symptom of excessive liquid loss.

Drinking and eating with gastroenteritis in course is practically impossible, it is even better that the stomach and intestine remain empty. However intake of liquid in small sips is recommended throughout the day, preferably liquids based of mineral salts and fermented lactic.

If the child is hungry, it is better to offer them food that is easy to digest and astringent like toast, sponge cake, salty crackers or bread crust, rice, potatoes, bananas, white meat. Lemonade is excellent because of the properties of the lemon, but not hot.

Generally stomach flu is resolved after a few days, but it is always recommended to consult your doctor.

Gastroenteritis can aggravate if fever does not go down, if you find traces of blood in the diarrhea/vomit or if your child seems confused.

Run to the pediatrician!

General rule for EVERYONE, whether it is adults and/or children: rest, lots of rest!

Prevention is not easy, since washing the hands well and deep-cleaning foods that are eaten raw is not enough.

Ventilate the room as many times as you can, sanitize surfaces with specific products and “protect” the rest of the family taking fermented lactic.

This is just information of general character, it does not, in any way, replace the opinion of your pediatrician.