{"id":28061,"date":"2021-04-21T09:30:03","date_gmt":"2021-04-21T13:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=28061"},"modified":"2025-04-01T18:06:03","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T22:06:03","slug":"stomach-bug-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/stomach-bug-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"The parent\u2019s guide to stomach bugs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Endless coughs and sneezes, runny noses, and unexplained itchy bumps\u2014kids seem to be a magnet for germs. In our parent\u2019s guide to childhood illnesses, we talk about the symptoms and treatments for the most common conditions. Read the full series <\/span><\/i>here<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every parent knows that look\u2014the look a kid gets right before throwing up. If you are lucky, you\u2019ll have a moment to grab something to contain the yuck. If not, you\u2019ll be doing laundry that night for sure (and maybe some carpet cleaning). Stomach bugs in children are gross, but they are common and usually kids recover quickly and fully.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a stomach bug?<\/h2>\n

Although it is frequently called the stomach flu, stomach bugs have nothing to do with the<\/span> seasonal influenza virus<\/span><\/a> (aka the flu), which is a respiratory illness. Stomach bugs are usually viral illnesses that may affect both the stomach and the intestines.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA stomach bug is a gastroenteritis, which means inflammation of the stomach or intestine, says<\/span> Aymin Delgado-Borrego<\/span>, MD, a triple-board certified doctor in pediatrics, pediatric gastroenterology and pediatric hepatology at KIDZ Medical Services in Florida. \u201cThis inflammation can be the result of either a viral or bacterial infection.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gastroenteritis is common. It is responsible for approximately<\/span> 1.5 million office visits, and 200,000 hospitalizations<\/span><\/a> each year in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

While <\/span>90% of<\/span><\/a> children in the United States will have a mild case that does not require medical treatment, there are risks of complications, particularly of dehydration. Approximately 300 children die each year of gastroenteritis in the United States. This number is higher in developing countries, particularly where sanitation and access to clean water and medical care are limited.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes stomach bugs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The causes of gastroenteritis fall into three main categories: viral, bacterial, or parasitic.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Viral<\/span><\/h3>\n

Viral infections are the most common cause of gastroenteritis in American children and are commonly spread in daycare, classrooms, cruise ships, and other crowded environments. These infections are typically caused by one of the following viruses:<\/span><\/p>\n