How to Avoid Getting the Stomach Flu

Let's chat about stomach bugs.  If it isn't going around in your area yet, chances are it will be, especially if you have kiddos in school or day care.

Sometimes kids can get stomach aches from eating too fast, having too much candy, sugar, or junk food, running or playing too soon after eating, etc.  Stomach aches are no fun, but even worse is a bug I want to talk about today.

The Norovirus.  Have you head of it?  It is known as the stomach bug or the stomach flu.  This virus causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines.  It spreads very easily and therefore it is very contagious.  It is absolutely no fun for anyone and comes with symptoms that last 1-3 days such as vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps or pains.  For most adults and children, this virus will pass and one will recover and recoup, but for babies, young children, immunocompromised, and the elderly, this virus can lead to severe dehydration and cause a boat load of more severe problems.

Let's really dive into this bug because I want this blog to be information that you WANT to share and spread to as many other parents and caregiver's out there.  Why?  So you can help prevent the spread because no busy Mom has time for this bug!

The first few tips are on prevention -

• Stay hydrated so your body can eliminate toxins.
• Wash hands!  This one is huge because hand sanitizers do not kill the Norovirus.
• Disinfect surfaces as this virus can live from days to weeks on different surfaces.
• Eat a well balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies for much needed fiber to keep the digestive system functioning, able to absorb nutrients needed to stay healthy and well, and to eliminate waste from the body.  Be sure to wash all your fruits and veggies well.
• Drink fresh squeezed organic lemon juice in warm water to help cleanse the digestive tract, balance ph, and for much needed nutrients and vitamin C to keep immunity up.
• Drink herbal tea's such as peppermint, chamomile, lavender, and so forth to improve the health of the digestive tract by calming the nerves and stomach muscle tension, improving digestion, and relaxing the mind which in turn relaxes the body.  
• Take probiotics.

Next, let's cover a few tips in case you do catch the this stomach bug -

• The biggest concern is dehydration.  Some symptoms of dehydration include headache, fatigue, decreased urination, darker yellow urine, and dizziness.  It is so incredibly important to try to stay hydrated.  You can do this by adding an electrolyte powder or liquid to your child's water or juice.  You can also add in a few lemon wedges if they will allow it.  (Always check proper dosing with your health care provider).
• Depending on the child's age for safe use of essential oils, you can properly dilute essential oils into a lotion or carrier oil such as lavender, lemon, spearmint, orange, or ginger and add to their stomach to help alleviate nausea and stomach discomfort, help a kiddo get some rest, and because it never hurts to topically add any blend with antiviral properties (depending on the essential oils used) in hopes to help one recover more quickly.
• Stick with bland foods such as mashed potatoes (make with chicken bone broth to amp nutrient intake, not milk, and use ghee instead of butter), bananas, or plain toast or crackers.  Eat small amounts as able to.
• Diffuse essential oils that help with nausea such as orange and ginger or spearmint (again, check safety precautions prior to use for those in your family).
• Continue to do all of the preventative measures listed above to prevent the spread to others in the family.

Lastly, here are some tips to recover if you caught this horrid flu -

• Continue for the next few weeks doing all the preventative tips above, as this virus can be tricky to rid from your home.  Even though it can be tiresome and a hassle, it could help prevent you or one of your sweet kids from catching this awful bug.
• Continue with the next set of tips - Stay hydrated, continue to eat plenty of healthy foods, fruits, and veggies, and take prebiotics and probiotics to help the digestive tract rebuild and rehouse some of the good microbes.
• Add herbs into your diet or spruce up a regular meal by really thinking about what your can swap for ingredients or what you can add to your meal that will amp up your digestive system health and your immunity.

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