Since the beginning of 2026, many individuals have been affected by a 24-hour stomach virus, often referred to as stomach flu. The clinical term for this type of illness is either enteritis or gastroenteritis.

My Grandson’s Stomach Bug (Enteritis) Case Scenario

My daughter recently called about my 4-year-old grandson’s stomach bug (enteritis) symptoms. She said that he vomited during the night and she had given him the homeopathic remedy Arsenicum Album 30c and wanted to know if there was anything else that she should be looking for, or if she needed to select a different homeopathic remedy. She said last night before bed, my grandson said his belly didn’t feel good. She said he seemed fine otherwise, no fever, so she laid down with him in his bed and within a few minutes he fell asleep. Around 2:00 am, he called her saying he didn’t feel good and that’s when he vomited. My daughter said that is when she gave him a dose of Arsenicum and shortly thereafter he went back to sleep. This morning, he tried to eat a small slice of toast for breakfast and insisted on having butter on it, spreading only a very light coat of butter. My grandson vomited it up 30 minutes later. I told her to give him another dose of Arsenicum. I explained to my daughter that since Arsenicum held him for five hours (last night at 2:00 am and this morning at 7:00 am vomited). She will repeat the Arsenicum if he vomits sooner than five hours. I told her to offer only small portions of food (for example, plain toast, oatmeal, or crackers) whenever he asks for something to eat, and to give him small sips of coconut water, plain water, or broth away from meals to help him stay hydrated.

My daughter called me back that evening, saying my grandson did well today, no more vomiting. He did have small amounts of food and drink. The following morning, she called telling me he only ate a little breakfast and he vomited. I told her since he was good all day yesterday with no vomiting until this morning, he needs another dose of Arsenicum.

I called the next day to see how my grandson was doing, she stated he hasn’t vomited since yesterday morning but he’s afraid to eat, because he vomited his breakfast yesterday. I told her to wait and when he wants to eat, feed him something within reason otherwise, to continue with the small sips of liquids to make sure he stays hydrated. She said he seems fine. He’s playing as usual and running around the house today.

That evening, my daughter mentioned that he finally began to eat a bit of food. But it was just tiny portions, and he would say, “he’s full.” She said I can hear his stomach gurgling, so I know he’s hungry. I had her give him a dose of the homeopathic remedy Lycopodium 200c, because I commonly see this occur after having some sort of a stomach bug that the appetite decreases and then once you give a dose of Lycopodium it resets the whole digestive process and the appetite starts to improve as the day goes on.

What is a “Stomach Bug”?

The medical name for a stomach bug or stomach flu is Enteritis. Enteritis is inflammation of your small intestine, which occurs from viral (e.g., Norovirus or Rotavirus), bacteria (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli) or parasite (e.g., Giardia, or food poisoning) infections or from certain medication (i.e., Ibuprofen, cocaine, cancer drugs), along with radiation treatments. The small intestines suddenly become irritated and inflamed and can last for a few days.

Other Common Symptoms of Enteritis:

• Fever
• Body aches
• Stomach swelling, pain and cramping
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea, may have bloody discharge in stool

Inflammatory Enteritis

Another form of enteritis, which is inflammatory enteritis, is caused by various autoimmune diseases that occur in the digestive system such as Celiac disease, Ulcerative enteritis and Crohn’s disease.

Phosphorus Helps a Gastroenteritis Case

My client reached out to me because her daughter wasn’t feeling well. She went on telling me, her daughter woke up in the morning with a stomach ache, and her head felt a little warm. My client said, later this morning, her daughter vomited several times after having something to drink. She stated that her daughter craves cold drinks. I selected the homeopathic remedy Phosphorus 200c, for the desire for cold drinks and vomiting it up a few minutes later, after the drink warms up in the stomach. I asked how often she has been vomiting. My client stated she’s been vomiting every two hours. I had my client give her daughter a dose of Phosphorus and told her she will repeat the Phosphorus if she vomits sooner than two hours. I also had her give her daughter a dose of the homeopathic remedy China Officinalis 30c for dehydration. I explained to my client, craving cold water is a sign of dehydration and a dose of China will help address the dehydration and the Phosphorus will address the vomiting from craving cold drinks.

My client called me the next day saying her daughter only needed two doses of Phosphorus yesterday and today she is back on track with a normal temperature and she hasn’t vomited at all so far this morning, and the last time she vomited was 3:00 pm yesterday. Though, her appetite has decreased a little. She’s eating a little bit of crackers, and some dried cereal. I told my client it sounds like the gastroenteritis is gone and suggested that she continue giving her small amounts of food throughout the day other than greasy food and anything that’s too rich for the stomach. I said if she does start to vomit, repeat a dose of Phosphorus as needed.

What is Gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is also called the “Stomach flu” and affects your stomach and large intestine, by suddenly causing watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and cramps. Gastroenteritis has the same symptoms as enteritis although enteritis affects your small intestine. Just as enteritis, gastroenteritis also occurs from viral, bacterial, parasite infections or from chemicals (i.e., heavy metals, medication). Gastroenteritis can also last a couple of days, just like enteritis.

The Difference Between Enteritis and Gastroenteritis?

Enteritis symptoms are commonly called gastroenteritis. Enteritis infection can spread from your small intestines to your large intestines causing gastroenteritis. The real difference between enteritis and gastroenteritis is gastroenteritis is more apt to have vomiting and diarrhea simultaneously.

Homeopathic Remedies for Enteritis and Gastroenteritis

There are over 80 homeopathic remedies for enteritis and gastroenteritis. A homeopathic remedy is selected according to the physical symptoms you are experiencing, along with what makes your symptoms feel better or worse. Such as, does your vomiting feel better or worse with movement, do you have gas and bloating, does your anus burn from diarrhea and so on.

The Greatest Concern of Having Gastroenteritis and Enteritis

The greatest concern of having gastroenteritis and enteritis is you becoming dehydrated from the vomiting and diarrhea that commonly occurs. When you have enteritis or gastroenteritis you want to make sure you take small sips of liquids every 30-60 minutes away from food, to help with not vomiting. You want to be drinking water and electrolyte drinks (i.e., coconut water, broth) to help prevent dehydration from occurring.

Homeopathic Remedies for Peritonitis

There are over 300 homeopathic remedies for Peritonitis. However, you can sometimes need the same homeopathic remedies selected for enteritis and gastroenteritis for peritonitis. In some severe cases, you may need homeopathic remedies that address sepsis such as Baptisia Tinctoria and Pyrogenium.

Peritonitis Symptoms:

• Sudden sharp pain in your abdomen
• Fever
• Rapid heart rate
• Low blood pressure

Peritonitis and enteritis are both inflammatory conditions that affect your abdomen. However, they involve different tissues; enteritis affects your small intestine, and peritonitis affects the lining of your abdominal cavity and organs. Enteritis can lead to peritonitis when the inflammation is so severe that it tears or perforates your intestinal wall and the intestinal bacteria leaks into your peritoneal cavity.

Lastly, homeopathy provides personalized care that is safe, gentle, and free from side effects, making it a viable option for individuals seeking a holistic approach to gut pain management. By consulting with a qualified homeopathic consultant, individuals can experience relief from symptoms and improve their overall well-being.