The dreaded stomach bug just went through our house. We got a text from our boys\u2019 school this past week \u201cjust a head\u2019s up, we have seen a tummy bug going around.\u201d So, this weekend we were bracing for it, but nothing can truly prepare you to witness your toddler projectile vomit unexpectedly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I thought this would be a good time to share some information about the \u201cstomach bug.\u201d What is it? How contagious are we talking? And how the heck do you manage it? Even with my medical background, I still feel like it\u2019s anxiety inducing to manage this – especially in young kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
People sometimes refer to this as the \u201cstomach flu.\u201d This is not the same flu that we talk about when we recommend flu vaccines. Those vaccines protect against respiratory illnesses caused by Influenza viruses. The stomach \u201cflu\u201d is not caused by Influenza viruses. Your flu shot does not prevent these illnesses. Just wanted to clear that up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The medical term for a stomach bug is gastroenteritis. Most often the cause of this is a virus. We talk about rotavirus – that can severely affect babies – 6 months to 2 years old generally (that is why the oral vaccine is given to infants – it protects against rotavirus). Norovirus is another culprit – this is one you often hear of causing cruise ship outbreaks. Yikes. Astrovirus, sapovirus and enteric adenovirus are other common causes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It doesn\u2019t change our management to know what virus is causing your child\u2019s symptoms. There isn\u2019t a routine test we order in the office to say \u201cyup, this is sapovirus.\u201d Now, I will say if symptoms last longer than expected or there are other red flag symptoms then further testing may be indicated. We can talk more about that later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately these viruses can be highly contagious. So how do they spread? The formal description is \u201cfecal-oral\u201d transmission. I\u2019ve always hated that description – it sounds so gross. But, essentially, kids go to the bathroom, probably have poor hand washing, then they share a toy or item with another kid. That kid then inevitably puts their hand in their mouth and there you have it, a \u201ctummy bug\u201d preschool outbreak. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hard thing about these bugs is they can spread in patients who are asymptomatic. The window from exposure to symptoms can be anywhere from 12 hours to 10 days! Once symptoms develop, they can be expected to last anywhere from 3 to 9 days. General rule of thumb, once you observe symptoms – your child should be kept away from other kids until they have been without symptoms for 48 hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diarrhea \/ Loose stool (at least 2-3 stools daily)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vomiting<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abdominal Pain<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fevers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Headaches<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cranky – sure that’s a medical term <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n