Vomiting Bug. Yep, this post is all about the 
and the 
.
It’s going around again. The commonest cause for this is a norovirus outbreak (sometimes called the winter vomiting bug). However, it is worth noting that Covid can also cause diarrhoea and vomiting!
Norovirus usually does the rounds Nov- April.
Everyone, please remember to keep your child – and yourself – home from school/creche until they have been symptom-free for 2 days, no matter how good they are feeling or how much the child care is a problem. Your child should not return to a pool for 2 weeks!
Home from school includes: do not visit a hospital, nursing home, or child care facility for the first 2 days after you or your child is symptom free. Out of courtesy, also avoid play groups, indoor play centres, non-urgent trips to GP/hospital out-patients, etc. until your entire home is clear of the virus and symptoms for at least 2 days. Actually, just don’t go anywhere. Seriously. NOBODY wants this. Honestly. It’s pure misery and super-contagious.
What are the symptoms?
12-48 hours after exposure, you may feel sick, vomit, have diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, fever, headache, and muscle aches.
Do you need to go to the doctor?
In most cases, no. There is no treatment for norovirus. You and your family may be miserable, but unless a young or elderly person becomes dehydrated, or you have another condition such as diabetes, it isn’t usually necessary and you should avoid an ED. If you do feel you need medical assistance, ring ahead so they can be prepared to isolate you. For most cases, you can find good advice at: https://undertheweather.ie
How can you prevent it?
Hand washing with soap and water. Alcohol hand-sanitizers aren’t good at killing norovirus.
If you got norovirus before, are you immune?
Sadly, no. Immunity from norovirus lasts an average of only about 14 weeks in people with normal immune systems, which means that you are usually safe once you or your child has had it for the season. Average person gets 5 bouts in their lifetime. Nobody has studied it, but I would guess that childcare workers and healthcare workers far exceed that. Is there a vaccine? Not yet, but there are scientists hoping to develop a vaccine that would build on that natural 14 week immunity.
Busting some urban myths about looking after someone at home with vomiting bug:
Don’t give fizzy or sugary drinks to children with diarrhoea of vomiting. It can make symptoms worse. The best fluids to give a child with vomiting or diarrhoea is diluted apple juice (yes, really, it’s been studied!) Start with sips of only 30-45 mls (about a shot glass full) then let them have a little more if it stays down.
Do not give Coke (even “full fat Coke”) it can make symptoms worse in many children, and the urban myth that the acid can kill germs is just false. I don’t know how this one started. It’s bad advice – and it’s everywhere.
Alternatively, you can give young children “oral rehydration solution,” Ask your chemist/pharmacist to help you choose one if you haven’t bought one before or have any questions. If your child is vomiting, you can try to give your child a few teaspoons of fluid every few minutes. Older children and adults can drink sports drinks. Babies who breastfeed can continue to breastfeed.
Do not give over-the-counter diarrhoea medications to children with diarrhoea from vomiting bug unless advised to do so by your GP.
When fluids stay down, try moving out to BRAT
Tummy Bugs and BRAT recovery diet
Many doctors – and that includes me – advocate the BRAT diet to help a child recover from a tummy bug. These are the next foods to try after your child is keeping some clear fluids down without vomiting them back up:
BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast (or dry, plain crackers). There is science behind why these foods.
After that is tolerated, then progress to lean prote, fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals. Avoid eating foods with a lot of fat or sugar, which can make symptoms worse. Many children and adults temporarily find that dairy is hardest to digest for a day or 2 after bug, so maybe leave yogurts and cheese, etc. until they are feeling better.
Don’t push the food. As I tell my patients: appetite always comes back!
When do you ring GP?
You are very concerned or worried it might be more than usual tummy bug.
●Baby is younger than 3 months
●Has any symptoms of dehydration
●Has diarrhea or vomiting that lasts longer than a few days
●Vomits up blood, has bloody diarrhea, or has severe belly pain
●Hasn’t had anything to drink in a few hours (for children), or in many hours (for adults)
●Hasn’t needed to urinate in the past 6 to 8 hours (during the day), or if your baby or young child hasn’t had a wet diaper for 4 to 6 hours
Urban myth busting: Your vomiting bug doesn’t not need an antibiotic. Doctors do not treat viral gastroenteritis with antibiotics. That’s because antibiotics treat infections that are caused by bacteria – not viruses.
Can viral gastroenteritis be prevented?
Sometimes. To lower the chance of getting or spreading the infection, you can:
Wash your hands! Frequently, and definitely before eating and after toileting. In this season, not bad habit to teach your children to wash hands when arriving home from shops, bus, or play centre. Practice good hand hygiene when out and about with your child.
●Avoid changing your child’s diaper near where you prepare food.
●Make sure your baby gets the rotavirus vaccine. This is one vaccine that does have to be done more or less on time; you can’t get a catch up if you delay too long or miss it. If you are hesitant about the vaccine, talk to your GP or public health nurse.
Urban myth busting: You can’t boost your immune system to prevent it. It’s super contagious and cannot be warded off by supplements, probiotics, or tonics.
0 Comments