2 Year Old with the Flu

That does not sound like the flu. Flu symptoms are generally fever, aches, chills, tiredness, and perhaps runny nose or coughing. Sometimes children will throw up or have diarrhea, but that is not common with influenza. What you are describing sounds more like a stomach virus or food poisoning. There is not much a doctor can do for a stomach virus, but it may be worth a call to your doctor to be on the safe side. Clear liquids are your best friend with this sort of thing. My doctor always says drink whatever you think your body can handle... just drink! The important thing is to stay hydrated. Definitely call or go to the doctor if she spikes a high fever or shows any signs of dehydration. Most of the time this stuff just has to run its course.

That's not the flu aka influenza. That's a stomach/intestinal virus causing digestive upset. As long as there's vomiting don't give her anything that would cause her to vomit. No food or drink until she's been vomit-free for a few hours, and has had a chance to sleep. When you reintroduce food, start with an ounce of liquid every hour for as long as she can tolerate it. If she only takes a few sips and pushes it away then don't force her. If she vomits it up then she's not ready and you'll have to start over again.

You don't have to go the electrolyte route, but if you have them on hand you can try them. Avoid the ones with dyes in them because the dyes, especially the ones with red in them, can aggravate the stomach even worse. They have them in popsicle form if she handles that better. If she doesn't like those, regular popsicles are fine.

I even relax my no-soda rule and allow ginger ale as long as it's a natural one with real ginger and no HFCS in it. Yes, they exist, and they're a little spendy but worth it if they'll take a couple ounces. The ginger can help settle an upset stomach and is a natural relaxant. By the same token if you have ginger tea, sip some of that with a little bit of honey to sweeten and she can have some of that. If you have green tea, especially caffeine free, she can have that to help settle the stomach.

Saltine crackers are good once she can handle solid foods. Cream of Wheat. Things with wheat (if she's not gluten intolerant) are good for settling the stomach.

You don't feed anything during the throwing up phase. You need to wait one hour after throwing up for the stomach to settle then give a flat Coke or Ginger Ale....slowly or it will come right back up. Popsicles are good too. JUst stay home and keep your germs to yourselves. It will pass.

Boo! It is no fun when little ones are throwing up. Do not feed her anything. Most pediatricians will tell you to not give any solid food for 24 hours AFTER the vomiting stops. The stomach needs to rest. Only clear liquids. Call your pediatrician for their recommendation on how much Pedialyte to give. My pediatrician says 1 tsp every ten minutes, then gradually increase after a couple hours of keeping it down. Sleep is also one of the best things. Good luck and I hope you both feel much better soon! Hang in there!

Ginger ale and pretzels or saltines, when she's able to keep them down. Popsicles are another idea.

Unless it lasts days, it's unlikely she'll need an electrolyte drink. And my daughter wouldn't drink them.

Do not automatically assume its the flu. If she's throwing up its usually a stomach virus of some sort in which case the doctor will just say clear liquids and wait it out. I usually give my kids electrolyte drinks and flat ginger ale. When she starts feeling a bit better then she can have bland food like tast with a little jelly. if she starts with the diarrhea then she needs even more liquids. Good luck and I hope you both feel better real soon in time for the holiddays!