Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a viral infection in the body that affects the lungs and airways. Symptoms can include fever, body aches, coughing, a sore throat and a headache. Some people, especially children, also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps with a condition called viral gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu. Because the flu is a virus, antibiotics will not help you feel better. A prescription antiviral medication might help decrease the severity and duration of the virus, and additional treatments might help curb the vomiting.
Step 1
Stop eating and drinking all foods and beverages to allow time for the stomach to settle down from the virus.
Step 2
Take a small sip of a rehydrating solution, such as a sports drink or a solution made specifically to treat children, in order to help prevent dehydration due to the vomiting. Try a few sips and see if vomiting occurs. If vomiting continues, wait about 30 minutes to an hour longer to try a few more sips, according to FamilyDoctor.org.
Step 3
Increase fluids slowly if no vomiting occurs after several sips. Begin to add clear liquids such as broth or clear sodas. Bland foods, such as saltine crackers, might follow the clear liquids. If vomiting begins again, stop the eating and drinking and wait at least an hour before trying sips of fluids.
Step 4
Call a physician for vomiting that does not stop after several hours. Excessive vomiting can lead to dehydration, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Prescription anti-vomiting medications might help treat the condition. Medications are available in oral and rectal forms, depending on the severity of the vomiting. Follow the instructions given by the physician or pharmacist for individual medications.
Step 5
Treat a fever with a fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Having chills from a high fever can make nausea and vomiting worse.
Step 6
Get plenty of rest to allow your body to help fight the viral infection and stop the vomiting.
References
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Gastrenteritis
- FamilyDoctor: Vomiting and Diarrhea in Children
- University of Maryland Medical Center: When your Young Child has Swine Flu
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Influenza
- MayoClinic.com: Gastroenteritis: First Aid
- MayoClinic.com: Viral Gastroenteritis
