Causes of vomiting in children and the right way to handle it

Vomiting occurs due to inflammation of the digestive tract, causing vomiting and diarrhea. Vomiting in children needs to be aware because children who are afflicted with this disease are prone to dehydration. Therefore, parents need to recognize the symptoms of vomiting and how to handle it. Children, especially children under 5 years old, are more susceptible to vomiting than adults. Some children can even experience it several times a year.

Know the Causes of Vomiting in Children

Some common viruses that cause vomiting in children are rotavirus and norovirus. Not only viruses, several types of bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella; and parasites, such as Giardia and Entamoeba, can also be a cause of children experiencing vomiting. This infection can occur when a child consumes water or food contaminated with feces. This is because generally microorganisms that carry vomiting disease spread through feces. Apart from food, vomiting can also be transmitted from one person to another, especially in conditions of environmental hygiene and sanitation that are not maintained. For example, an infection can occur when a child puts his hand in his mouth, even though he has just shaken hands with a sufferer of vomiting who has not washed his hands after defecating. Although it is less common than infection, vomiting in children can also be caused by toxins or side effects of certain drugs

How to Deal with Muntaber in Children at Home

Children affected by vomiting will experience several symptoms, namely vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and fever. If caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection, children may experience bloody bowel movements. Vomiting caused by viruses generally improves within 2-3 days, although diarrhea can persist for up to 10 days. During vomiting, symptoms that children feel can make them lack a lot of body fluids. This condition can make him dehydrated. For this reason, you need to take a few simple steps:

1. Increase the rest time

Children need to sleep about 10-12 hours every day. When he is sick, he needs more rest time so he can recover quickly. Therefore, try to create a comfortable atmosphere at home so that he can rest well, for example by reading stories or playing songs so that children sleep faster. Ask for permission a few days from school so that the child can rest until he recovers. It is also useful to minimize the risk of transmission to his friends at school.

2. Make sure the child drinks a lot

This treatment step is very important so that the child does not become dehydrated. If the child vomits or feels nauseous, keep giving him to drink little by little. If the child is still given ASI, continue giving it. For older children, give electrolyte drinks every time they vomit and diarrhea.

3. Give the right foods

When you are sick with vomiting, children need to eat regularly so that their bodies are not weak and dehydrated. Give food in small portions but more often. The food chosen should be soft and easy to digest, such as bananas, soft rice or porridge, or soupy foods like soup. Milk and processed products, such as yogurt, can also be given if so far the child has no problem in consuming them. The reason is, some children actually get diarrhea after consuming milk because they have an allergy to milk or suffer from lactose intolerance. Foods high in fat and sugar, such as fast food, fried foods, cakes and ice cream, should not be given during the recovery period for vomiting so that symptoms quickly subside.

4. Avoid giving diarrhea medication

Children with vomiting should not be given diarrhea medicine, especially if they are under 12 years old. To relieve fever and pain, Mother can give paracetamol. In addition, vomiting does not always require antibiotics. Vomiting is most often caused by a viral infection, which will not improve with antibiotics. This medicine is only effective for vomiting caused by a bacterial infection. To ascertain the causes and appropriate treatment steps, including the use of drugs, you should consult a doctor further. As a preventative measure for children with vomiting, parents need to make sure the food and drinks consumed by the child are clean, and to routinely maintain the cleanliness of the environment around the child's residence. Complete the child's immunization schedule, including rotavirus vaccine administration. Get used to also teach children to always wash their hands before and after eating, touching dirty objects, or bowel movements. If the symptoms of vomiting do not get better within two days, the child has diarrhea accompanied by blood or mucus, high fever, or symptoms of dehydration, such as dry lips, sunken eyes, tears do not come out when he cries, the child looks very weak, and rarely pee, immediately check the child to the doctor.