Both COVID-19 and the stomach flu can present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Here's how to tell the difference between them, according to experts.

Your baby looks tired and starts complaining of stomach ache. Or maybe they're nauseous and ask for the dreaded barf bucket. You might have dismissed these symptoms as a stomach bug before, but these days, you might be wondering: Do they really have COVID-19? After all, the coronavirus sometimes presents with gastrointestinal (GI) problems, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Here, experts share how to tell the difference between the stomach flu and covid. Their recommendations can help you determine the best course of action for testing and treating your child's colic problem.

Stomach Flu Symptoms
First, it's important to know that stomach flu is not really the flu. According to the National Library of Medicine, another name is "gastroenteritis," which means inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract.

Gastroenteritis can be caused by several different pathogens, including viruses (usually norovirus), bacteria, and parasites. It is usually spread by drinking contaminated water, eating contaminated food (food poisoning), or coming into contact with an infected person or their feces.

Related: Rotavirus and Stomach Flu: Everything You Need to Know
Whatever the cause, the main symptoms of stomach flu include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache — and yes, most of these symptoms are the same as the coronavirus. That's why many parents feel confused about whether their child has the stomach flu or COVID-19.

Gastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 has a long list of potential symptoms such as sore throat, fever, congestion, headache and fatigue. A December 2021 study published in JAMA found that just over a third of children with Covid-19 also experienced gastrointestinal symptoms. These can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, says Jonathan Maynard, MD, a pediatrician at Providence Mission Hospital in Southern California.

In addition, some children with COVID-19 have only gastrointestinal symptoms, adds Jos� Mayorga, MD, executive director of the UCI Health Family Health Center. He has seen this in his patients and children. "It actually ran in my family," he says. One of my daughters had a classic upper respiratory infection, the other had a stomach problem. Both of them tested positive for covid."

Explain the difference between stomach flu and COVID-19

Not sure how to tell the difference between COVID-19 and the stomach flu? We've gathered some clues that might help you figure out what you're dealing with.

COVID-19 often causes more widespread symptoms. In general, Covid-19 attacks more body systems than a typical pathogen that causes the stomach flu, Dr. Maynard says. "While there may be some similarities between the symptoms of Covid-19 and the stomach flu, the symptoms of Covid-19 are generally more widespread," he says. In children, Covid may lead to flu-like symptoms such as fatigue and joint pain, along with respiratory and digestive problems, Dr. Maynard explains. Children with the stomach flu, on the other hand, usually only experience gastrointestinal symptoms (although muscle aches, headaches, and a low-grade fever can also occur).

Stomach flu may cause food aversions or loss of appetite, while COVID-19 can alter taste. With COVID-19, "your child's appetite may remain stable; however, he may report that he has not tasted his food or milk or juice, that his food or drink 'tastes funny,' or says, 'I "I don't like drinking," says Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, regional clinical director of Carbon Health and Urgent Care, medical director of St. Mary's Hospital.

Fever is more common with COVID-19. Molly O'Shea, a pediatrician who recently served as a guest faculty member for the HHS COVID Preparedness ECHO lecture series, says another way to diagnose covid and stomach flu is the presence of a fever. "Many stomach viruses cause vomiting and diarrhea, and a few cause fever, but Covid is much more likely to cause fever than others," explains Dr. O'Shea.

RELATED: Prolonged covid in children: what happens when corona symptoms last for weeks or months
Stomach flu rarely presents with respiratory symptoms. If your child has vomiting or diarrhea, but also has congestion or a cough, Covid-19 is a more likely cause, says Dr. Oshie. (But also be aware that your child may have another illness with these symptoms, such as the flu, Dr. Oshie reminds. Strep throat is also a possibility, as it can cause a sore throat and vomiting.)

Diarrhea may be the first with covid. With COVID-19, diarrhea often precedes respiratory symptoms—so if your child has diarrhea, monitor him for new symptoms over the next few days.

Should your child be tested for COVID-19?

Because there is so much overlap between symptoms, it can be difficult to tell if your child has Covid-19 or a stomach virus just by looking at them. "Remember that the only way to truly confirm covid-19 or the stomach flu is to get tested for covid," says Dr. Maynard.

That said, not every case of vomiting or diarrhea means you should rush to get tested. Consider when symptoms started and whether you can trace them to something your child ate, says Dr. Carrie Winchell. For example, if your family all enjoys a meal together, and a few hours later feel sick with digestive symptoms, you may be dealing with the stomach flu, says Dr. Carrie Winchell. But if your child is showing gastrointestinal symptoms and you can't trace the cause, it's smart to get tested for Covid-19.

Dr. Mayorga adds that because Covid-19 in children sometimes presents only with gastrointestinal symptoms, it's usually best to get tested if you're not sure. This is especially true during the rise of Covid-19. "When there's a lot of covid circulating, you have to make the mistake of thinking it might be covid, and the best way to know is to get tested," suggests Dr. Mayorga.

How to treat gastrointestinal symptoms in children

Whatever pathogen is causing your child's gastrointestinal symptoms, keep an eye on them and make sure they stay hydrated. "Hydration is the most important thing, especially in young children," says Dr. Mayorga. Children, especially infants, are at high risk of dehydration.

Even small sips of water can help when your child can't keep anything down, says Dr. Maynard. You can also offer fluids containing electrolytes, such as Pedialyte or a store-brand electrolyte drink. An indicator that your child is getting enough fluids is how many times a day he can urinate, says Dr. Maynard.

Other ways to control gastrointestinal symptoms include getting plenty of rest, eating small amounts of bland food (after the vomiting has subsided), and taking over-the-counter pain relievers to relieve any discomfort (such as fever).

If you are concerned about your child's dehydration or other worrisome symptoms, such as severe diarrhea that lasts for several days, blood in the stool, or a high fever, you should not call your pediatrician. . Dr. Oshie adds that severe stomach pain that lasts more than two hours, doubles your child's pain, or is located in the lower right side of the abdomen also warrants a call to the doctor.

If you're not sure what to call your healthcare provider, go with your gut. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

Author and translator: Ali Asghar Alizadeh 

Source of website  www.parents.com