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.  And chances are also... if your kiddo brings it home, they might not be the only one getting it.  It may be the gift you would rather never have.

Sometimes kids can get stomach aches from eating too fast, having too much candy, sugar, or junk food, or from running or playing too soon after eating.  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 that can land them child in the hospital.

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!

Ways to Prevent Getting the Stomach Flu:

• 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 elevated.
• Drink herbal tea's such as ginger, spearmint, peppermint, chamomile, and or lavender, to improve the health of the digestive tract by calming the nerves and stomach muscle tension, improve digestion, ward off invaders, improve a healthy gut microbiome, and relax the mind - which in turn relaxes the body.  
• Take probiotics per by your health care providers recommendations.

What to Do If You Catch the Stomach Flu?

• The biggest concern is dehydration.  Some symptoms of dehydration include headache, fatigue, decreased urination, darker yellow urine (sometimes orange - which means one is super dehydrated), 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 of electrolytes with your health care provider).
• Depending on the child's age for safe use of essential oils, you can properly dilute kid safe essential oils into a lotion or carrier oil such as Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Lemon (Citrus limon), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Mandarin (Citrus reticulata), Orange (Citrus aurantium), or Ginger (Zingiber officinale), and apply the blend to their stomach to help alleviate nausea, stomach cramps/discomfort, and to help your child feel comfortable enough to get some much needed rest.
• Stick with bland foods such as mashed potatoes (make with chicken bone broth to amp nutrient intake, do not use milk, and use ghee instead of butter if you have some on hand), bananas, or plain toast or crackers (made of REAL whole food ingredients so the little that they eat actually delivers some of what their body needs).  Eat small amounts as they are able to and remember to make the healthiest choices possible.  Their little bodies need nutrients. Overly processed foods can't provide nutrients and can actually disrupt the gut microbiome even more than it already is.  Pro Tip:  Try to keep bone broth on hand at all times and naturally start swapping out overly processed crackers and breads for better brands with better ingredients now, so you always have a better choice to offer.
• Diffuse essential oils that help with nausea such as Orange, Ginger, or Spearmint (again, check safety precautions prior to use for those in your family).  Note: Ginger is very overpowering.  Start with one drop only.  You can also combine Ginger and Orange essential oils or Orange and Spearmint essential oils in the diffuser.  The orange essential oil can really tone done the powerful aroma of the other two mentioned.
• Continue to do all of the preventative measures listed above to prevent the spread to others in the family and be sure to have everyone wash hands with soap often.

How to Recover After the Stomach Flu:

• For the next few weeks, continue 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 to monitor hydration levels to continuously support the immune system, the digestive system, and your body's ability to detox.
• Continue to eat plenty of whole foods, lean proteins (grass fed beef, salmon, pasture raised eggs), healthy fats (ghee, coconut oil, organic olive oil), fruits, and veggies to help restore and rebuild the body's defenses.
• Take prebiotics and probiotics to help the digestive tract rebuild and rehouse some of the good microbes it lost.
• Add herbs into your days by drinking herbal tea after lunch or add herbs like mint or spearmint and lavender in your water.  Don't be shy on adding fresh herbs into your meals either!

Getting the stomach flu is awful for everyone.  Let these tips guide you and your family to prevention.
Healthy and Well Wishes!  Jamie

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Reviewed and Revised by Jamie Michaels, Founder of Children's Wellness Tree, LLC on 1/2025.