Was your latest bout of the stomach flu really the stomach flu or was it some other virus that found its way into your intestines? What about your kids? They get sick and throw up all the time is it always the stomach flu? Actually, probably not. It turns out that what most of us think of as the stomach flu is really something else entirely, a gastrointestinal virus actually. The thing is that a flu is actually a respiratory illness but since everyone considers the stomach flu that horrible sickly diarrhea sickness even some doctors have started calling it the flu just so people know what they are talking about.

If you have children then you know how much this "stomach flu" can affect the way they are feeling and the way they are acting. Many kids will act up more when they are not feeling too good and in most cases the actual name of the virus they have is not the stomach flu but Rotavirus. At least in small children. This is not the only kind of stomach flu that can cause vomiting and diarrhea though, your child could be sick due to some nasty bacteria that found its way in or even some parasites. If your child is very ill for more than a couple of days or is running a fever it is always better to be safe than sorry and take your child to the doctor at once.

A lot of times parents don't want to call the doctor about the latest bout of stomach flu running through the house but it is okay to if you are worried. That is what doctors are there for, they are there to support you and let you know what is gong on so that you don't have to worry about it any more.

And that silly notion that the stomach flu is only supposed to last a day or so is totally off the mark. Most people stay sick with the stomach flu for days even a week, it all depends on which kind of stomach flu that you or your child gets because some are just stronger and ickier than others.

Whatever you do or don't do when your child has the stomach flu you need to keep him or her hydrated. Lots and lots of water is going to make the stomach flu go away that much sooner and it is going to keep your child feeling better than they would with out the fluids. This is even more important if your child has diarrhea, in this cases it can get downright dangerous if your son or daughter is not getting enough water. You might want to look into getting some Pediasure, this will help with the hydration issue.