Community Voices for Health

By: Kathy Trainor

We are battling the stomach bug!

It all started when Pat-man went down. When I went to wake him up Wednesday I discovered that he had thrown up all over his bed and pillows. He found the one spot that was not dirty and slept there rest of the night. Talk about major mommy guilt for not hearing it!

Next was my husband. He came home for work and totally defiled my bathroom on Thursday night.  Lucky, he was sort of able to take care of himself. I’ve learned that adults handle the stomach bug much better than children.

Then last night, on our way home from grocery shopping for the other two, my older son, John, announced (a block from our house!) that he was going to be sick.  We made it home in time, but there was no doubt that he had also fallen victim to the stomach bug.

We have officially hit DEFCON 5 in my house, with three of my guys coming down with the stomach bug.  This got me thinking about some of the tips and tricks I use to help deal with the stomach bug. I’ve put together a list of stomach bug treatments we use in our house.

We all know about ginger ale, crackers, soap, and extra sheets, but what about the other things? You know, those things you often over look, until it’s 3 a.m and you suddenly realize you need them! The stomach bug is bad enough, don’t make it worse by not having the right things in your house.

Top 10 stomach bug treatments and tips you can do at home

1.  Shower Curtains- These little dollar store gems help in so many ways. Say your little one is resting on the couch. Just put one of the shower curtains under them and your couch is saved, not to mention it also makes clean up really easy.  They work great as a mattresses protector and rug guard for small toddlers who don’t know to throw up in a bucket or bowl. This is a hidden jewel to stomach bug treatments in our house.

2. Bleach Wipes- From the toilet to the floor, and the wall and the door, you need bleach wipes! Do yourself a favor and just get a big roll and hold on to them. The last thing you want is for these germs to spread.

3.  Sports Drinks- Some kids can’t handle or don’t like ginger ale and getting down pedia-lite is very hard. A sports drink can help mix up the fluid intake. The last thing you want is for your child to get dehydrated.

4.   Coloring Books- I have found this to be a soothing activity to distract people in times of stress or nerves. I always keep a few stashed away, with a fresh set of crayons, for them to pull out for something new to do while they feel blue.

5. BRAT- Items from the BRAT diet- Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Tea or Toast. These bland items, which also includes oatmeal, can be a great starter meal for anyone who has lost their lunch.  Most doctors will suggest this diet for stomach bug treatments.

6. “Bucketie”- That one bowl or bucket you keep ONLY for when people get sick. We have silver bowl and we keep it under the kitchen sink just for times like these. I would call this another hidden jewel of  stomach bug treatments. It also helps kids know where to get sick if they can’t make the bathroom in the middle of the night.

7.  Air Freshener-  I think this is pretty self explanatory. I don’t think I need to tell you how bad the smells are in the house when the stomach bug is in full force.  Pick something strong to mask the odor, but make sure it isn’t so bad that you gag on the smell.

8. Coffee- This is for the care takers. Late night loads of laundry or early morning puke patrol are bad enough, but I couldn’t imagine tackling those without coffee.

9.  Movie-  I suggest something that no one has seen yet. Although they might not feel great, an impromptu new movie can help lift their spirits while they try and keep down some toast. Also, On Demand or Netflix would help you with that long night or afternoon of wooziness.

10. Extra Pillows- This is not only for the sick one that threw up on their pillows, but for the mom or dad who is sleeping upright against the wall to keep an eye on their sick child. Parents need to keep comfy, too.

Do you have anything else you would add to help you though the stomach bug or flu? Do you have any  stomach bug treatments your family uses? Feel free to share below!