February with stomach-sick children - when is it time to stay home from work?

Sara

Leg. Doctor

Vabruari with stomach-sick children

February is here, and with it comes not only snow and sleet, but also the annual tradition that many parents know all too well – Vabruary. In February, many of us seem to be most vulnerable to various types of viruses, not least the dreaded stomach virus. Stomach illness in children is not only difficult for the little ones, but can also cause it for the whole family and lead to many days of vab. But when is it really time to stay home from work? How long should a stomach-sick child be home from preschool? And what can be done to reduce the risk of the rest of the family becoming infected? Here we go through everything about nursing sick children.

When the stomach bug strikes - the risk of infection in the home

Stomach illness is one of our most contagious diseases and once someone has fallen ill, the virus spreads quickly, not least among children at preschools and schools. A child who gets a stomach bug often has symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach ache and fever – not pleasant experiences for a small body.

When your child gets a stomach bug, it is very difficult to completely avoid the spread of infection within the family, but there are some preventive measures that can significantly reduce the risk. Good hand hygiene is essential: wash your hands carefully and often, especially after using the toilet and before cooking. It may also be wise to regularly clean frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, taps and toilet seats, with disinfectants. Use separate towels and try to keep the sick family member as isolated from the rest of the household as possible. If you have two toilets, it might be good to let the person with a stomach ache have one to themselves.

When should children be home from preschool?

Children with stomach flu should stay at home until they are fit again. They can go back to preschool when they are eating normally and have not had any symptoms such as vomiting or watery diarrhea for at least two days. For school children, the rule applies that they should stay at home for one to two days after they become symptom-free.

My child has a stomach bug, am I contagious?

If someone in the household has a stomach bug, there is a high risk that more people will be affected. But that doesn't mean that everyone in the family has to stay at home as a precaution. As long as you are healthy, it is fine to go to work or school. However, it is important to be careful with hygiene even outside the household and to go home immediately if you develop symptoms. The symptoms of stomach flu in adults may differ from those in children. Read more about stomach upset in adults here.

If a major outbreak of stomach illness occurs, it may be wise to temporarily keep healthy siblings at home, especially if they attend the same preschool as the sick child. In this way, you can limit the infection and avoid more children becoming ill.

Good food for sick children

The first and most important step when your child has a stomach bug is to ensure that the child is getting enough fluids. Stomach upset can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, so making sure they drink properly is very important. Give the child some fluids often, too large amounts can cause the child to vomit again. If the child vomits a lot or has severe diarrhoea, you may need to give them fluid replacement, which helps to restore the body's fluid balance. Fluid replacement for children is available without a prescription at pharmacies.

Children who are sick to their stomachs usually do not want to eat, but the intestine recovers faster if the child can also take in food in addition to the liquid. When the child wants to start eating again, you can therefore start offering small amounts of food at a time. Feel free to start with easy-to-digest food that is gentle on the stomach. Here are some tips for good food after a stomach ache:

• Blueberry soup
• Carrot soup
• Boiled potatoes or rice
• White bread

Avoid fiber-rich foods and fruit until the child is completely well again, this can worsen symptoms such as diarrhoea.

Things to think about when babysitting a sick child

• The incubation period for stomach flu can vary, but it is common for symptoms to appear within one to two days of exposure to the virus. Pay attention to how siblings and other family members are doing.
• Stomach disease is highly contagious. Avoid close contact with the sick person as much as possible and be thorough with cleaning the home. It is especially important to keep the toilet seat clean to reduce the risk of spreading infection. If you as a parent become ill, it is equally important to take the same measures to protect other family members.
• It is very important to think about fluid intake when you have a stomach bug. Drinking small amounts of water or fluid replacement can often help prevent dehydration, especially in children. Seek emergency care if your child shows signs of dehydration, such as dry lips, decreased urination, or extreme tiredness.