Vomiting in children – Vomiting is a disease of the digestive system which is also known as stomach flu or gastroenteritis. Vomiting is an infection that is often experienced by children. This condition occurs due to inflammation of the digestive tract, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
Diarrhea in children must be watched out, because children who experience this condition can experience dehydration. Knowing that, it is very important for parents to recognize the symptoms of vomiting so that it can be treated quickly.
Well, to find out more information about vomiting, from the causes, symptoms to how to deal with it, you can see the explanation below.
Causes of vomiting in children
Children experience vomiting more often, because the child’s immune system is not as perfect as adults, so it is not strong enough to fight bacteria and viruses. In addition, the germs that cause vomiting can contaminate children through various things.
As for some viruses that generally cause vomiting in children, namely norovirus and rotavirus. Apart from viruses, several types of bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli, as well as some parasites such as Entamoeba and Giardia can cause vomiting of children.
There are various things that can cause the transmission of germs that cause vomiting in children, as follows. (Also read: Causes of Constipation )
Through Vomiting Fluid
When a member of your family has vomiting and vomiting, the virus that causes vomiting can be transmitted through the air. When you or your little one breathes this air, you will likely contract vomiting.
Food and Drink
In addition, viruses and bacteria that cause vomiting can also be transmitted through food and drink because they can easily contaminate. Children have a higher risk of experiencing vomiting if they consume food or drinks that are not hygienic, moreover, these foods and drinks have been contaminated by viruses or bacteria that cause vomiting.
Knowing that, it is very important to always maintain the health and hygiene of your little one’s food, for example, before feeding your little one you have to wash your hands first, especially if you have handled dirty items or processed certain food ingredients, such as raw meat. The virus can move from food to hands, then after that contaminate your little one’s body. If your little one can eat by himself, you also have to make sure your little one’s hands are clean before eating.
Feces of People with vomiting
The vomiting virus can also spread if your child touches the feces of someone with vomiting or touches objects that have been contaminated, such as toilets, sinks or faucets.
Handling Items That Have Been Contaminated
The virus that causes vomiting on objects can last for several days. Items that are prone to being contaminated with germs are milk bottles, children’s toys, door handles and chair handles. If your child holds these objects, then puts his hand in his mouth, the bacteria and viruses can infect the little one’s body.
Apart from being caused by viruses and bacteria, vomiting in children can also be caused by toxins or side effects of certain drugs. Although this is less common when compared to infections.
Symptoms of vomiting in children
The main symptoms of vomiting in children are diarrhea and vomit. In addition, this condition can also be characterized by other symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, decreased appetite and fever. If vomiting is caused by a parasitic or bacterial infection, your little one may experience bloody bowel movements.
Symptoms of vomiting in children can appear 1 to 3 days after the child is infected by a virus or bacteria that causes vomiting. However, symptoms can also appear after 12 to 48 hours. Where the symptoms can be mild or even severe.
How to Treat vomiting in children?
In general, vomiting caused by a virus will improve in 2 to 3 days, although the diarrhea can last up to 10 days. When you have vomiting, the symptoms your child experiences can make him dehydrated. Therefore, you must be able to handle it well. Well, here are some steps you can take to treat vomiting in children.
Give lots of drinking to children
Giving lots of drinking to children is very important to do so that children do not become dehydrated. If the child does not want to drink because of nausea or vomiting, you can give the child something to drink at a time. If the child is still being breastfed, you can continue breastfeeding your little one. Whereas for older children, each child vomits and has diarrhea, you can give electrolyte drinks to your little one.
Increase the child’s rest time
In each day, children need 10 to 12 hours of sleep. In order to recover quickly, children need more rest time when they are sick. Therefore, try to get lots of rest for the child. You can create a calm atmosphere so that your child can rest comfortably. So that your child can rest optimally, you can ask permission for a few days from school until your little one recovers. This is also done to reduce the risk of transmission to friends at school.
Provide Healthy and Proper Food for Children
When vomiting, children should eat properly and regularly to prevent weakness and dehydration. Better not give food in large portions at once. You should feed yourself small, frequent portions. In addition, choose foods that are easy to digest and have a soft texture, such as porridge, bananas or food with soup.
For certain types of food, such as foods that contain sugar and fat, for example fried foods, ready-to-eat food, ice cream and cakes, you should first avoid them so that the symptoms of vomiting that your child experiences can immediately improve.
Consult a Doctor
Children who experience vomiting would be better off not given diarrhea medication, especially if the child is under 12 years of age. To find out the exact cause, as well as the right treatment and what drugs should be given, you can do further consultation with your doctor.
When to See a Doctor?
You should immediately take your child to the doctor if the symptoms of vomiting do not improve within two days, the child has high fever, diarrhea accom
panied by blood, experiences symptoms of dehydration such as sunken eyes, dry lips, weakness, infrequent urination and when cry her tears don’t come out.
Thus it is very important to pay attention to the cleanliness of children to prevent vomiting problems. You have to make sure the drinks and food that your child consumes are clean. In addition, the cleanliness of the house and the neighborhood must also be considered. Teach children to wash their hands properly before and after eating, after touching dirty items and after defecating.
