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<p>Kids are back in the classroom, and a common back-to-school sickness is viral gastroenteritis, or stomach flu. It's an intestinal infection marked by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever.</p>
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<p>If your child is showing symptoms of a stomach bug, such as vomiting or diarrhea, it's most likely viral gastroenteritis.</p>
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<p>"We really want to make sure we're paying attention to their hydration," says Dr. Tina Ardon, a Mayo Clinic family medicine physician. "Even with a couple hours of vomiting or diarrhea, you can get dehydrated pretty quickly."</p>
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<p>Dr. Ardon explains how parents can tell if their child is dehydrated.</p>
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<p>Dr. Ardon says that you can determine dehydration by "monitoring someone's urine output, so less wet diapers in a baby or maybe less trips to the restroom for an older child," says Dr. Ardon.</p>
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<p>To help improve hydration, without making the stomach more upset, Dr. Ardon suggests taking a sip or two of fluid every five to 10 minutes.</p>
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<p>"When someone is having a lot of vomiting and diarrhea, you're not just losing fluids, you're losing electrolytes, as well. So, actually, oral rehydration solutions or therapies, which are available over-the-counter — there are a number of brand names available that patients can ask their physicians or their pharmacists about — … those are the best options that we can offer to our patients," says Dr. Ardon.</p>
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<p>Another option would be a diluted juice or sports drink. However, Dr. Ardon says <strong>be cautious with the excess sugar content, which can worsen diarrhea.</strong></p>
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<p>Source: <a href="https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-what-to-do-if-your-child-has-a-bellyache/">https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-what-to-do-if-your-child-has-a-bellyache/</a><br><br>Exclusive content from CARE magazine</p>
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