Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pang Yu Xian (M.B.B.S., Singapore)
When your child begins vomiting, it can trigger a whirlwind of concerns. In the current landscape, many parents immediately worry whether their child’s vomiting could be a sign of COVID-19 or something more familiar, like the stomach flu. While both illnesses can cause similar symptoms, understanding their differences is crucial to determining the right course of action.
This article will help you navigate these uncertainties by exploring the symptoms, causes, and recommended treatments for both COVID-19 and the stomach flu, particularly when it comes to children vomiting.
Understanding the Stomach Flu: Viral Gastroenteritis
The stomach flu, medically known as viral gastroenteritis, is a common and usually mild illness that affects the digestive system. It is caused by a variety of viruses, the most common being norovirus and rotavirus. These viruses spread easily through close contact, contaminated food, and surfaces, and are often passed around in crowded places like schools and daycares.
One of the hallmarks of viral gastroenteritis is sudden-onset vomiting, which can be severe and frequent. In addition to vomiting, children with the stomach flu often experience watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and occasionally a mild fever. While uncomfortable, the stomach flu typically runs its course within a few days, and most children recover fully with proper care and hydration.
In children, viral gastroenteritis can quickly lead to dehydration due to fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhea. As a parent, it’s important to watch for signs of dehydration, such as a decrease in urination, dry mouth, dizziness, or lethargy, and take steps to rehydrate your child with small, frequent sips of water, electrolyte solutions, or clear broths.
What Exactly is COVID-19?
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, initially presented as a primarily respiratory illness. However, as new strains of the virus have emerged, symptoms have expanded beyond the respiratory tract. In children, gastrointestinal symptoms—including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea—have become more common, sometimes even occurring without the classic COVID-19 respiratory symptoms like cough or shortness of breath.
One of the complexities of COVID-19 in children is that their symptoms can vary widely. Some children experience mild, flu-like symptoms, while others develop more serious conditions, such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but severe complication. With COVID-19, children vomiting may also have a high fever, fatigue, and body aches—symptoms that can overlap with other viral infections, making diagnosis more challenging without proper testing.
Symptom Overlap: Comparing Stomach Flu and COVID-19
Vomiting and Gastrointestinal Distress
Children vomiting is a core symptom of both the stomach flu and COVID-19. With viral gastroenteritis, vomiting is often one of the first signs, followed by diarrhea and stomach cramps. These symptoms tend to come on suddenly, sometimes within hours of exposure to the virus, and are usually severe for the first day or two. In most cases, symptoms resolve within a few days, although some children may continue to experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort for up to a week.
In contrast, vomiting related to COVID-19 may be less intense or occur alongside other systemic symptoms, such as fever, cough, or a sore throat. COVID-19 gastrointestinal symptoms can sometimes develop gradually, rather than as a sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea. Moreover, COVID-19 symptoms may persist longer than the typical duration of viral gastroenteritis, with some children continuing to feel unwell for weeks, especially if they suffer from fatigue or loss of appetite.
Fever
Both illnesses can cause a fever in children, but the nature of the fever differs. COVID-19 fevers tend to be higher and last longer, often accompanied by chills, body aches, and headaches. The fever in viral gastroenteritis is typically lower and more short-lived, resolving as the child’s vomiting and diarrhea improve.
However, fever alone is not enough to differentiate between COVID-19 and the stomach flu, so it’s important to consider other symptoms, especially respiratory ones, to determine the likely cause.
Respiratory Symptoms
One of the most significant distinguishing factors between COVID-19 and the stomach flu is the presence of respiratory symptoms. If your child is vomiting and also has respiratory issues, such as a persistent cough, congestion, or difficulty breathing, this strongly suggests COVID-19 as the cause. Gastroenteritis rarely affects the respiratory system, so a combination of vomiting and respiratory symptoms is a red flag for potential COVID-19 infection.
Loss of Taste or Smell
A unique symptom of COVID-19, particularly in older children and adults, is the loss of taste or smell. While not as common in younger children, this symptom is a telltale sign of COVID-19 and is not associated with viral gastroenteritis. If your child is vomiting and reports a loss of taste or smell, it’s important to get them tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible.
When to Test for COVID-19
Given the overlap in symptoms, testing is often the best way to determine whether your child’s vomiting is due to COVID-19 or the stomach flu. If your child has been exposed to COVID-19 or if they are showing signs of respiratory illness alongside their gastrointestinal symptoms, it’s recommended to get them tested. This is particularly important if your child attends school or daycare, as early detection can help prevent the spread of the virus to others.
At-home COVID-19 tests are widely available and can provide quick results, but if you’re uncertain or if your child’s symptoms worsen, consult with a healthcare provider for further guidance. Rapid testing at a medical facility may also be available and could provide a more reliable diagnosis.
Treating a Vomiting Child
Whether your child’s vomiting is due to COVID-19 or the stomach flu, the most important thing is to ensure they stay hydrated. Dehydration is a common complication of both illnesses, especially when vomiting is frequent and severe. Encourage your child to drink fluids frequently throughout the day, even if it’s just a few sips at a time. Oral rehydration solutions, such as Pedialyte, are especially effective in replenishing lost electrolytes.
Additionally, allow your child to rest as much as needed. Both COVID-19 and the stomach flu can leave children feeling weak and fatigued, so providing a calm and comfortable environment will help them recover more quickly. Offer bland, easy-to-digest foods like toast, bananas, and applesauce once their vomiting subsides, and avoid giving them rich, spicy, or fatty foods that could further upset their stomach.
When to Seek Medical Attention
In some cases, vomiting in children requires more than home care. Seek immediate medical help if your child is unable to keep any fluids down for more than 24 hours, shows signs of dehydration (such as dry lips, dark urine, or a rapid heartbeat), or if they are excessively lethargic or unresponsive. These could indicate a more severe illness, particularly if they are also experiencing high fever, trouble breathing, or severe abdominal pain.
For COVID-19, be especially vigilant if your child has underlying health conditions or if their symptoms are worsening instead of improving. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but serious condition linked to COVID-19 that requires prompt medical attention.
Get Expert Care for Your Vomiting Child Today at Keystone Medical
It can be difficult to determine whether your child’s vomiting is due to COVID-19 or the stomach flu, as their symptoms often overlap. Testing, particularly if your child has been exposed to COVID-19 or is showing additional symptoms like a persistent cough or loss of taste or smell, can help clarify the diagnosis.
Ensuring that your child stays hydrated, rests, and receives appropriate care is crucial, regardless of the illness.
If you’re unsure of how to manage your child’s symptoms or need professional medical guidance, visit Keystone Medical. Our team of experts can provide the support and care your child needs to recover safely and comfortably.
References
Parents.com. 2023. Does My Child Have COVID-19 or the Stomach Flu?. https://www.parents.com/health/covid-19-or-stomach-flu/
Health.unl.edu. Nausea and Diarrhea? How to Tell if it’s COVID, the Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning. https://health.unl.edu/nausea-and-diarrhea-how-tell-if-it%E2%80%99s-covid-stomach-flu-or-food-poisoning
Health.com. COVID-19 or Stomach Flu? How to Tell the Difference?. https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/stomach-flu-vs-covid-19
Healthline.com. 2022. Is This Food Poisoning, Stomach Flu, or COVID-19?. https://www.healthline.com/health/food-safety/food-poisoning-or-covid