It often begins with a sudden wave of nausea or an unexpected dash to the toilet. Next thing you know, you’re changing sheets, taking temperatures and offering tiny sips of water every other hour. Viral gastroenteritis — or stomach flu — can feel like it flips the whole household upside down.

This isn’t a clinical overview — just a collection of gentle, practical tips many parents have come to rely on. If you’re reading this mid-cleanup or bleary-eyed from a rough night, know this: it’s tough, but you’re not alone.

What is stomach flu?

Viral gastroenteritis is an infection that inflames the stomach and intestines. It’s usually caused by viruses like norovirus or rotavirus, and spreads easily among children — especially in group settings like preschools or playgroups.

Common symptoms include:

• Vomiting
• Loose stools
• Cramps or tummy aches
• Mild fever
• General tiredness or clinginess

It usually comes on quickly and passes in a few days, but those days can feel long.

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Please keep your child home

Once your child has been diagnosed with viral gastroenteritis by the doctor, it’s important to keep him or her at home to rest and recover. Most doctors will issue a medical certificate (MC) for around 3 to 5 days — this is the typical contagious period, even if your child seems to be feeling better or exhibit no obvious symptoms after a couple of days.

Do also inform your IFC, preschool or childcare centre. They’ll appreciate the heads-up to notify other parents and schedule a thorough cleaning of shared spaces and toys, which helps contain the spread.

We understand that staying home for a week can be especially challenging for working parents, especially without extra help. But stomach flu spreads very quickly, and isolation during this period really does make a difference — for your child’s health, and for others in the community too.

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What helps (and what to expect)

Fluids before food

It’s completely normal if your child isn’t eating much right now — their tummy needs time, and eating might feel uncomfortable or even painful.

For now the priority isn’t solid food — it’s hydration. Each vomit or bout of diarrhoea means fluid loss, and the goal is to replace it gradually.

Try:

• Small spoonfuls or sips of water
• Oral rehydration solutions (from the pharmacy)
• Clear, homemade broths
• Barley or rice water
• Very diluted juices (apple tends to go down easiest)

If plain water is hard to tolerate, chilled drinks or sucking on a frozen treat can sometimes be easier. A reusable straw or medicine dropper can also make it feel less overwhelming.

Watch out for signs your child may need more help staying hydrated:
dry tongue, fewer wet diapers, sunken eyes or listlessness.

When they ask for food…

Take it slow and keep things plain. Even if your child suddenly seems hungry again, their digestive system is still delicate and needs time to adjust.

You can start with the BRAT diet — a simple way to ease back into eating. It stands for:

• Banana: Soft, sweet, and gentle on the stomach. Some parents add a tiny pinch of salt to help restore electrolytes.
• Rice: Plain steamed rice, or even better, watery porridge. In many Chinese homes, the porridge water on top — also known as “um” in Hokkien — is served on its own. Mild, starchy, and warm, it can be surprisingly soothing when nothing else works.
• Applesauce: Smooth and easy to digest, especially helpful if your child still has some diarrhoea.
• Toast: Soft white bread or plain crackers can be comforting and non-irritating. What worked for us was plain Hup Seng or Meiji crackers.

Other gentle ideas you can try:

• Boiled carrots, pumpkin or potatoes
• Peeled apple or a bit of steamed pear
• Plain crackers or soft bread
• Silken tofu or plain scrambled egg (if tolerated)

Avoid dairy, juice, fried food or anything spicy for now — those can be too harsh for a healing stomach.

And if your child isn’t quite ready to eat? That’s okay too. Their appetite usually returns once they’ve had enough rest, so focus on giving them that. Give them space to nap, curl up with a book or let them watch a movie if you allow screen-time.

Hygiene is everything

Viral gastroenteritis is very contagious — it can linger on hands, surfaces, and bathroom fixtures.

As tiring as it is, daily cleaning of key areas makes a difference. Think: flush buttons, taps, light switches, bedrails, high chair trays, and shared toys.

Use a disinfectant safe for kids or a bleach solution for hard surfaces (1 part bleach to 10 parts water). Any clothing or linens soiled by vomit or diarrhoea should be washed in hot water.

It’s not about deep-cleaning your entire home — just prioritising shared and high-touch spots.

Limiting the spread at home

If you have more than one child, this part gets tricky. It’s not always possible to keep siblings apart, but there are still ways to reduce cross-infection.

Use separate towels, cups and eating utensils for the sick child. If your child is old enough, encourage hand-washing after every bathroom visit and before eating. For younger ones, you’ll be doing most of the reminding — and that’s okay.

If possible, have your child (or the sick family member) use a separate bathroom to help prevent the stomach bug from spreading.

Easing back into routine

Most schools and preschools have a policy that kids should be symptom-free for at least 48 hours before returning. That means no vomiting or diarrhoea — not just feeling “a bit better.”

It may be tempting to get back to normal quickly, especially if you’re managing work and care duties. But giving your child a full recovery window means fewer relapses and less chance of spreading it around.

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Hang in there

There’s no easy way around stomach flu. It can leave everyone tired, cranky and reaching for that laundry pod at 2am. But it does pass — often more quickly than it feels when you’re in the thick of it. Your child will bounce back, the laundry will eventually be done, and your home will feel less like a battlefield. In the meantime, go gently — with your child, and with yourself.

DISCLAIMER:

This post is written from one parent to another, based on lived experiences. It’s meant to offer comfort and support — but not to replace medical advice. If you’re unsure about your child’s symptoms or care, please consult your doctor or a healthcare professional you trust.