Category Archives: dehydration

Stomach virus season

Yes, we’re starting to see some fall/winter viruses that cause gastrointestinal (GI) problems. By the end of winter, Rotavirus will have been our most common offender, but now that kids are back in school, lots of viruses are happy. Families who get the viruses… not so much.

GI viruses like school, daycare and home settings because these places have children who haven’t always learned good hygiene practices. Prevention is always the best action against these diseases, so don’t forget to CLEAN door handles, toilet seats, other bathroom surfaces, television remotes. Also be sure to wash hands before cooking, serving and eating food.

Another way to hinder a virus is to keep your child home when she’s sick, preventing the spread to other children and adults. That may have been where she came into contact with the virus. Let’s not spread the “love.”

When can you send him back to school or daycare? Make sure he has been fever free for 24 hours (without a fever reducer), is able to tolerate small amounts of bland foods, has gone at least 12 hours since his last episode of vomiting and has had no more than 3 episodes of diarrhea in 8 hours.

Contact our office if diarrhea and vomiting don’t subside within three days or if diarrhea is bloody, if there’s been no urine output for 10 hours, or if the fever is high or doesn’t subside. We have a nurse available for advice on the phone, and we often can call in prescriptions for nausea for older children, unless we think they need to be seen in the office first.

More information? See our blog from last spring which includes a link to the American Academy of Pediatrics article on Rotavirus. Also, our blog regarding when to be concerned about a fever.

Stay healthy this winter!

© 2014, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved

I’m thirsty!

School is almost out and warmer weather is on its way. Hydration is always important, but never more so than when you’re active in warm temperatures. What are the best things to give your kids to drink, and are there drinks they should avoid?

First, drinks to avoid completely:

Energy drinks. Make sure you know the difference between sports drinks and energy drinks. Energy drinks contain stimulants like caffeine and are not appropriate for children and teens. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics: “Caffeine… has been linked to a number of harmful health effects in children, including effects on the developing neurologic and cardiovascular systems.” Caffeine is a drug, and is addictive.
Caffeinated soft drinks. (See bullet point above about the ill effects of caffeine on children and teens.)

Drinks that are okay for occasional use:

Sports drinks. These replace electrolytes and calories lost from prolonged exercise.
Non-caffeinated soft drinks. They are okay on special occasions, but only for older children. Sodas are acidic and therefore are harmful for teeth. Add sugar to that equation and you could be creating some real dental health problems.
Sugary drinks, carbonated or not. These have been linked to childhood obesity in children as young as 4. As with soft drinks, all sugary drinks can cause tooth decay.
Fruit juices. Better options than carbonated drinks, and often a good source of vitamins, they are still calorie rich and shouldn’t be overused.

Drinks that are best:

Water. Always the best way to hydrate, water can be a great part of the healthy child’s diet throughout the day, even when they’re not thirsty. Your kid doesn’t like water? Check out the flavor packets and squirts that add flavors to water.
Low fat milk. If your child or teen can tolerate milk, it is an indispensable source of calcium. If she is unable to drink milk, talk to the pediatrician about alternate sources of calcium.

Finally, a note about very young children.

Nothing but breast milk or formula should go in a baby’s bottle. Even fruit juice is too sugary and can lead to tooth decay. Read here about beverages for the very young.
Children can start learning to use a cup at about 6 months. Still, limit juice to 4-6 ounces per day until the age of 2.
Wean completely from bottles at about 12-15 months of age.

What we drink becomes habit, and starting good drinking habits in childhood is an excellent way to build healthy bodies and teeth for a lifetime.

© 2014, MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved

Stomach virus recovery

“Stomach bugs” are making their rounds right now. Rotavirus, in particular, is quite contagious and may have even made the rounds through every member of your household. It causes diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, etc. Sound a little too familiar?

What to do?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, usually, the virus goes away on its own. Watch, though, for dehydration and high fever. Dehydration can be serious in a small number of cases. Give small amounts of fluids until the vomiting ceases. Water is fine, but fluids like Gatorade can add electrolytes. Stay clear of acidy drinks (like orange juice) and milk.

Be watchful regarding dehydration. Pay attention to the frequency of urination. The urine will become more concentrated and less frequent, but child should still be urinating.

While your child is sick, give a very bland diet: avoid dairy, fried foods, fast foods, hot dogs, etc. Some good foods are bananas, rice, applesauce and toast (BRAT).

However, it’s recommended that as soon as the stomach is settled, you should return to a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and protein (meat, yogurt).

Call the pediatrician if diarrhea and vomiting don’t subside within three days, if there’s been no urine output for 10 hours, or if the fever is high or doesn’t subside. See our blog about when to be concerned about a fever.

As always, stay healthy!

© 2014 MBS Writing Services, all rights reserved