Food Poisoning Symptoms in Kids

You deal with soiled diapers, vomit in the vehicle, and a variety of stomach viruses at daycare and school as a parent. Then there’s the case of food poisoning. Although it only lasts a few days, it is just as cruel to children as it is to adults. Most of the time, the most you can do is provide comfort. There were also a lot of popsicles. Food poisoning is generally caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites — or the poisons that they produce — in food or water.

Anyone can catch it, but children under the age of five have a higher risk since their immune systems aren’t yet up to the task of battling germs. Furthermore, they lack stomach acid, which not only breaks down food but also could destroy viruses.

Kids, like adults, must essentially ride out the symptoms until they improve. However, because children’s bodies are smaller, a lot of diarrhea and vomiting can affect them more rapidly, therefore there are certain things to watch out for.

Symptoms:

• Nausea
• Throwing up
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Upset stomach
• Cramps and pain in the belly
• Feeling weak
• Headache

Your Child’s Treatment:

In most situations, your kid will recover without treatment, but it’s always a good idea to phone your physician if your child is experiencing symptoms of food poisoning so you know what to look for.

If your kid is unable to drink fluids without vomiting or is dehydrated, you may need to take them to the hospital for an IV and therapy to stop the vomiting. This replaces the fluids he’s lost and restores the electrolyte balance.

Electrolytes are minerals like sodium and potassium that aid with everything from maintaining a proper heartbeat to regulating the amount of water in your body.

Antibiotics may be given to your kid if he or she has severe food poisoning caused by specific germs, such as listeria. To establish the therapy course, cultures may be collected and sent to the lab. However, unless your child has a compromised immune system, he or she will not be prescribed antibiotics for most germs. Your kid may also receive medication for parasitic food poisoning, but there is no treatment for viruses.

What Can I Do to Help My Child?

Because children are smaller than adults, they might become dehydrated more rapidly.

Your first responsibility is to ensure that your youngster drinks lots of water. Milk, caffeine, and bubbly or fizzy beverages should be avoided. Instead, try these:

• Give little quantities of whatever your baby regularly consumes, such as breast milk or formula, to babies. You may also give your infant a Pedialyte-type electrolyte drink.
• For the first several hours, avoid eating anything till the stomach calms down.
• Start with modest amounts of bland, non fatty meals such as crackers, dry cereal, toast, and rice when they feel ready.
• Gets a lot of sleep

Even if your doctor gives you the go light, bear in mind that your child may still have diarrhea or loose stool.

You’ll want to make sure that your baby’s diapers can manage it, and older kids may need to be able to get to the restroom quickly.