Germ Patrol: Remedies for 8 Common Winter Illnesses

Stomach Flu (Viral Gastroenteritis)

Chances your child will catch it: 90 percent of kids will get at least one stomach bug by age 4.

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

Contagious? Extremely. Your child is highly infectious for as long as she has diarrhea, and the virus can live in her stool for several weeks after that.

Rx: Give your child plenty of fluids (such as water and Pedialyte) to prevent dehydration. If she can't hold anything down, have her take small sips through a straw or from a spoon or a dropper. You can also try ice pops and Jell-O -- the sweet taste might make it more fun to eat.

You need to know: Thanks to the relatively new rotavirus oral vaccine (which is safe for babies 2 months and older), 79 percent fewer children now get this serious stomach bug.

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