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Stomach flu and colds: Why they happen and how to treat them

Toddlers still have immature immune systems, so they’re at greater risk from a variety of viruses, including colds and stomach flu. The following is a guide to the causes, symptoms and treatment advice for some of the more common viral illnesses to affect children.

Colds

Toddlers experience this number of colds partly because they’re so interested in exploring the world around them – touching and even putting things in their mouths. However, their immature immune systems are not able to fight the virus off, and they often fall ill when a healthy adult would not.

Your toddler may become sick more often during the winter months because the combination of cold air and indoor heating dry out the sensitive membranes on the inside of her nose. These conditions make it much easier for the cold virus to get a grip.

How can I tell if my toddler has a cold rather than an allergy?

• A child with a cold will have a runny nose with clear mucus that may thicken and turn grey, yellow or green over the next week.
• This may be followed by a cough and congestion or a low-grade fever.
• If it’s an allergy there will be itchy, watery eyes and nose combined with repeated sneezing attacks and itchy skin that can last for weeks or months.
• An allergy will cause the mucus coming out of your child's nose to continue to run clear, rather than thickening and turning yellow or green as it tends to in children with colds.
• Allergies won't cause a fever, and they tend to show up in the spring and summer.

How can I treat a cold?

There are no medicines that can cure the cold virus, but there are some things you can do to make the symptoms less uncomfortable:

• Apply petroleum jelly to the outside of your toddler's nostrils to reduce irritation from all the nose blowing.
• Add a few drops of menthol, eucalyptus, or pine oil to a warm bath to help clear congestion.
• Use a humidifier to moisten the air in her room, as this will make her nasal passages more comfortable.
• To help relieve any form of post-nasal drip, elevate the head of your toddler's mattress by placing a couple of towels between the head of the mattress and the springs of the cot. Never use extra pillows to prop up your toddler’s head as they could cause suffocation.
• Ask the doctor before using any medications to treat your child.

When should I call the doctor?

There are some symptoms that need immediate medical attention:

• Any complaints about ear pain, or pulling and rubbing at it – this could be a sign of an ear infection.
• Very tired or listless.
• A fever that reaches 103° Fahrenheit or over.
• Cold symptoms that seem worse after five to seven days, not better.
• Cold symptoms that last for more than 14 days.
• The cough worsens and they’re wheezing or gasping. These symptoms could indicate more serious problems like asthma or pneumonia.

Can I help to cut down on the number of colds my child picks up?

You can help children to avoid colds by reducing their exposure levels. This means keeping them away from anyone who’s already sick with a cold and making sure that you, and anyone else who takes care of your child, are very careful about washing their hands before preparing food and after using the toilet.

Make sure your child is not exposed to cigarette smoke; children who live with smokers have more colds that last longer than the colds of children who are not living in smoky environments. Keep your toddler generally healthy by making sure she’s drinking plenty of water throughout the day, eating healthy foods and taking regular exercise.

Stomach flu

• Stomach flu is also known as gastroenteritis. It’s a very general term for a whole host of different viruses, bacteria, and parasites that can cause stomach problems.
• The symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, chills, and aching limbs.
• An infection of this kind is typically caused by the presence of faecal matter in the form of microscopic germs on the hands, which are then transported into the mouth.
• The symptoms usually last for a day or two, but in severe cases can continue for up to seven days.
• You’ll be relieved to hear that once your child progresses to school her immune system is normally strong and they contract far fewer bugs.

How can stomach flu be treated?

In most cases there's no medicine to treat viral gastroenteritis. It just needs to be managed carefully while it runs its course through the body. However, there are some things you can do to help alleviate the symptoms:

• You should keep your child at home to rest. She may not eat much, and will be suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Replace the fluids and electrolytes (salt and minerals) that are being lost with plenty of water and re-hydration salts.
• Never give your child an anti-diarrhoea medication. It will prolong the illness and can have serious side effects.
• However, it is advised that you speak to your doctor regarding any case of stomach flu, because all children experience it differently.
• Some may need to avoid dairy products, and your doctor will also advise you on different re-hydration methods that will be specific to the weight and age of your child.