Abdominal pain and fever in children

Abdominal pain and fever are common symptoms of stomach flu (gastroenteritis). They may occur with other symptoms, such as diarrhea or vomiting. Your child may feel very ill with a stomach flu, but his or her symptoms will usually start to improve within 12 to 24 hours, and by 48 hours symptoms are usually mild. Home treatment is usually all that is needed.

Other infections, such as urinary tract infections or pneumonia, can also cause a fever and abdominal pain. A fever of 101° (38°) or higher that lasts longer than 24 hours or that starts 48 hours after other symptoms began may be caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms that may indicate a more serious infection include shaking chills and fainting.

Travel outside your native country can expose you to other diseases. Abdominal pain with a fever that begins after traveling in other countries needs to be evaluated by your child's doctor.

Fever and abdominal pain increase your child's chances of dehydration by:

• Increasing fluid loss through sweating and rapid breathing to cool the body.
• Interfering with your child's ability to take in fluids.

Severe pain in a young child may indicate a serious problem. A child who has a fever and moderate to severe pain needs immediate medical evaluation.

An evaluation by your child's doctor may be needed if your child has abdominal pain and a fever that do not begin to improve within 12 to 24 hours.