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Let's see  how to take care of this stomach bug.
Pharmacist

Usually, the stomach bug will have to run its course. Your goal would be to make life easier for your child.

To accomplish this, you will use  self-care or over-the-counter measures to prevent dehydration, take care of any headaches and try to conserve or gain any lost energy while at it.

With this in mind, see what we recommend below.

 

Girl holding her stomach


Prevent Dehydration

Prevent dehydration from diarrhea and/or nausea. The key word is "Prevent". Start preventive measures with the first bout of diarrhea or nausea. 

Choose any of the measures below that you and your child are comfortable with:

  1. Pedialyte.
  2. In-store ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts). Marketed as electrolyte replacement packets (Find this in the weight loss, nutrition or protein bar aisle of most pharmacies).
  3. Homemade ORS: (6+1/2+1). That is 6 level teaspoonfuls (2 tablespoonfuls) of sugar + 1/2 level teaspoonful of salt + 1 liter (1000ml) of water (regular drinking water).

Have your child drink as often as he or she can especially after a bout of diarrhea. If the child throws up, wait for 5 to 10 minutes and start again. 

 

Pain Relief

If the child has headaches or body aches and pain, give ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen.

Prefer ibuprofen or naproxen if it is mainly body aches.

 

Worth Doing

1. Drinking tea. Ginger (for nausea) or peppermint tea (calms the stomach)

2. Eating BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast (white bread)).

3. Keep yogurt till after diarrhea. It will be hard to digest and can make it worse during diarrhea.

4. Rest. Your child's body is fighting to get rid of the virus. You should make it easier by having him or her rest.

5. Wash hands frequently. Same for the household.

 

Last updated by pharmacist on : 02/17/2016

 

 

Know this about the safe and effective use of this recommendation.
Article photo

Our disclaimer

  • Recommendation is the opinion of a registered US Pharmacist currently practicing as a community pharmacist.
  • Recommendation is not an attempt to discuss all possible self care or treatment approach to this health challenge.
  • The responsibility of the recommending pharmacist is limited to this question:
    "If a patient presents with these symptoms, what will you recommend and why?"
    It is not an attempt to publish an article on the treatment of any condition. Just what would you tell a patient who present with so and so in the usual course of your practice.
  • The pharmacist image presented in this article may or may not be the actual image of the authoring pharmacist.
    Because we insist on using articles written by currently practicing community pharmacists, these pharmacists may choose to remain anonymous especially if they are employed by an employer to avoid being pressured to recommend a particular product to drive sales.
  • Please read the policies and terms of use for self-care OTC, selfcarepharmacist.com and it's affiliates by clicking on the button below.

 

 

 

 

What if your child is currently experiencing the condition listed below?

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