When Should I See My Doctor
See a doctor immediately if your child cannot keep down a sip of liquid or has dehydration . Babies under 6 months should always be seen by a doctor if they have gastro.
Adults and older children should seek medical advice if their symptoms include a fever, severe abdominal pain, blood in their diarrhoea or signs of dehydration, such as thirst and decreased urination, lethargy, dry mouth, sunken eyes or feeling faint when standing.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
In September 2012, a new type of coronavirus was identified, initially called Novel Coronavirus 2012, and now officially named Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus . The World Health Organization issued a global alert soon after. The WHO update on 28 September 2012 said the virus did not seem to pass easily from person to person. However, on 12 May 2013, a case of human-to-human transmission in France was confirmed by the French Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. In addition, cases of human-to-human transmission were reported by the Ministry of Health in Tunisia. Two confirmed cases involved people who seemed to have caught the disease from their late father, who became ill after a visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Despite this, it appears the virus had trouble spreading from human to human, as most individuals who are infected do not transmit the virus. By 30 October 2013, there were 124 cases and 52 deaths in Saudi Arabia.
After the Dutch Erasmus Medical Centre sequenced the virus, the virus was given a new name, Human CoronavirusErasmus Medical Centre . The final name for the virus is Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus . The only U.S. cases were recorded in May 2014.
When To Call Your Doctor
Food poisoning and viral gastroenteritis can become severe enough to require medical attention. However, Dr. Thomas says, in most cases, people can effectively manage either condition with proper rest, hydration and at-home medical treatment. But call your doctor if youre unsure whats causing your symptoms or if youre having high or persistent fevers.
Also keep in mind that other health issues can mimic the symptoms of viral gastroenteritis or food poisoning. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen or if you experience any of the following:
- Bloody stool or bloody vomit
- Inability to keep any fluids down
- Diarrhea lasting more than three days
- Fever above 104 degrees
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How Is The Stomach Flu Diagnosed
Stomach flu is primarily diagnosed through a physical examination and a patient medical history. Most cases will be diagnosed and treated by a general practitioner.
Symptoms are the best guide for diagnosis. The defining symptom of stomach flu is loose or watery diarrhea, but other symptoms might include.
- Nausea
- Low-grade fever
Loss of appetite, involuntary weight loss, and bloating might also be experienced.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis usually start suddenly , coming on in one or two hours. In addition to how quickly symptoms started, a healthcare provider will want to know:
- How long have you had symptoms?
- Do other people you know have similar complaints?
- Did you eat anything unusual recently, such as raw foods?
- Did you travel recently, especially outside the country?
A physical examination will help the healthcare professional rule out other conditions. The healthcare provider will carefully look for signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, limpness, dry mucous membranes , loose skin, or drowsiness.
Blood or stool tests are not necessary to diagnose a viral gastroenteritis, but a healthcare provider will use them to rule out other causes, such as a bacterial infection, parasite infection, or other intestinal problems. Blood or urine tests may be necessary if there are signs of dehydration.
Other Remedies For The Stomach Flu
There are also other natural stomach flu remedies such as turmeric, fennel seed tea, rooibos tea, thyme tea, Celtic sea salt, asafetida, basil, marshmallow root, slippery elm, L-glutamine, N-acetyl-glucosamine, betaine HCl, pepsin, and elderberry extract. The vitamin C in lemon juice can also help kill pathogens related to diarrhea, and baking soda is considered a natural antacid that can help decrease diarrhea and vomiting.
It is also a good idea to avoid dairy products, coffee, spicy foods, and high-fat foods. They will make you feel worse by increasing dehydration in the body. People with a stomach virus should always stick with homemade meals, and it is best to have several small meals during the day to avoid putting stress on the digestive system.
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Urgent Advice: Get Advice From 111 Now If:
- you’re worried about a baby under 12 months
- your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re ill
- a child under 5 years has signs of dehydration such as fewer wet nappies
- you or your child still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets
- you or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down
- you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom
- you or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.
Go to 111.nhs.uk or .
Get an urgent GP appointment
A GP may be able to help you.
Ask your GP practice for an urgent appointment.
Check with the GP surgery before going in. A GP may speak to you on the phone.
Your Beverage Of Choice Is Bubbly
Champagne, soda, and seltzer water might seem like three very different drinks, but the carbonation in a bubbly beverage has the same effect on your stomach. Bubbles expand in your gut and could lead to a slightly bulging belly, says Dr. Sam. Stick to straight water if youre feeling bloated. Check out these other daily habits that reduce belly bloat.
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What Are The Differences Between Stomach Flu And Food Poisoning
My condition is desperate, but I do not know if I have contracted a virus or eaten not fresh food.
How do I know?
Food poisoning is sudden and manifests itself a few hours after ingesting spoiled food.
This is not the case with gastro, which requires a 24 to 48 hours incubation period after being in contact with the infected person and exhibits progressive symptoms when onset.
As for the symptoms, they are quite similar, but food poisoning is often accompanied by fever and blood in the stool.
Another clue, your entourage.
If other offending meal participants are also ill, you are facing food poisoning.
You Can Avoid The Stomach Bug
You canât always avoid contact with someone who has the stomach bugâespecially if you live with that person. But that doesnât mean youâre doomed to catch the stomach bug. First off, practice proper handhygieneâmeaning, wash your hands with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before and after handling, preparing, or eating food. Give an extra clean to anything the sick person comes into contact with, like counter tops, changing tables, bed sheets, pillowcases, and clothes.
Sometimes you may not know exactly where you caught the stomach bug. Handling food is one way to spread the symptomsâso if you know the stomach bug is going around your community, consider skipping the all-you-can-eat buffet. When traveling, stick to bottled water and avoid raw and peeled fruit and vegetables.
The stomach bug is no fun. Remember that Pepto Diarrhea has your back. Take Pepto Diarrhea at the first sign of diarrhea from the stomach bug so you can get to the source with its dual action formula and more importantlyâget relief from your diarrhea symptoms.
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What Do You Feed A Child With The Stomach Flu
Once your child has stopped vomiting, they can start to eat foods again. The best foods after the stomach flu are the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
“These foods are very easy to digest,” says Dr. Rojas. “Children can also have crackers, or grilled or boiled chicken.”
Children should avoid greasy, heavy or spicy foods for a few days after they experience vomiting. Avoiding dairy could also be beneficial due to a transient lactose intolerance after stomach flu, though infants should still breastfeed or have formula if able to tolerate.
Certain drinks, like apple juice or carbonated beverages, can make vomiting or diarrhea worse, so it’s best to stick to rehydration solution or plain water.
If your child has nausea or vomiting again, it’s best to stop the food until their stomach can settle.
What Should I Do If My Stomach Is Bloated And Hard
Home care Drink plenty of water or other clear fluids to help reduce abdominal pain and bloating. Avoid pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs until you know your pain isnt due to an abdominal condition such as a gastric ulcer or an intestinal obstruction.
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Symptoms Of The Stomach Flu
The stomach flu typically causes two other dreaded things for parents : vomiting and diarrhea. In fact, the stomach flu usually looks a lot worse than it is. Your baby or child may have cycles of vomiting and diarrhea for about 24 hours.
If your child has the stomach flu, they may have hard-to-miss signs and symptoms like:
- diarrhea
- stomach pain and cramps
- tiredness
- sleepiness
If your baby has the stomach flu, the may also be crying and irritable and who wouldnt be with these symptoms? Babies with the stomach flu are less likely to have a fever. Rest assured that this common tummy bug typically goes away quickly and by itself.
Start On The Brat Diet
If you or your child is able to handle clear liquids without throwing up, you may be ready to start eating. Don’t do this too quickly, though. Be sure you are able to keep fluids down for eight to 12 hours before trying to eat.
If you feel like you can eat something by then, start with bland, starchy foods. Foods that are heavy, fat, or acidicthink tomatoes or orangesshould be avoided until you are better.
You may have heard of the BRAT diet. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, because these foods are good choices when you are sick. The BRAT guidelines can help you choose the right foods to stop throwing up.
The BRAT diet suggests bland foods that are easy to digest when you have a stomach bug. Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast are not the only foods that you can eat, but they are good examples so you will know where to start.
If you start throwing up again after you try these foods, go back to Step 1.
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How Long Do The Effects Last
Stomach flu rarely lasts longer than 1 to 3 days. However, it may be 1 to 2 weeks before your bowel habits are completely back to normal.
Dehydration is a potentially serious complication of stomach flu. It can happen if your body loses too much fluid because you keep vomiting or having diarrhea. If you are severely dehydrated, you may need to be given fluids intravenously . In children and older adults, dehydration can quickly become life threatening.
Post-infectious IBS is a constellation of symptoms that resemble irritable bowel syndrome, Dr. Kirsh says.
Symptoms are usually lesssevere than the original infection and may include:
- Abdominal cramping.
- Nausea.
- In some cases, constipation.
Overtime people do tend to get better, he says. For most of them, this is notgoing to be lifelong IBS.
The symptoms of post-infectious IBS develop after an infectious GI bug such as viral gastroenteritis or a bacterial infection like E. coli or Salmonella or even C. difficile. Patients may suspect this condition if they had a documented GI infection that resolved, but their digestive function wont go back to normal. That should tip them off that they should seek out help.
How To Prevent Stomach Flu
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Get your child vaccinated against rotavirus.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before eating and after using the loo.
- Do not share personal utensils with an infected person until he/she recovers.
- Avoid drinking chilled water.
- Do not consume raw meat or raw foods like sushi.
- Disinfect all the hard surfaces at your home if any of your family members have gastroenteritis.
- Avoid sending your child to the daycare centre until they recover completely to prevent the infection from spreading.
- Get ample rest and sleep well.
As already discussed, there is no specific medical treatment for gastroenteritis. Rest and hydration, coupled with the remedies mentioned above, can help in speeding up your recovery from gastroenteritis without any further complications.
Infants and older adults who have stomach flu should be given extra care as this infection can prove to be life-threatening, given their compromised immunity.
Contact a doctor immediately if your symptoms worsen, or you develop a high fever , are unable to keep liquids down for more than 24 hours or exhibit signs of dehydration, vomit blood, or have bloody diarrhea.
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Can Gastroenteritis Be Prevented
Germs that cause gastroenteritis are contagious. The best way to avoid the illness is to keep the germs from spreading:
- Teach all family members to wash their hands well and often. They should wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. This is especially important after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food.
- Clean tabletops, doorknobs, and other surfaces that get touched a lot with a cleaner that kills viruses.
- Follow food safety guidelines to prevent bacteria and viruses from getting into food and drinks .
- Make sure your kids get all recommended immunizations on time.
What Are The Symptoms Of Stomach Flu
The main symptom of gastroenteritis is diarrhea. When the GI tract becomes infected during gastroenteritis, multiple activities from the virus brings on diarrhea. Malabsorption occurs because of the destruction of the gut cells called enterocytes. The virus can also disrupt the reasbsorption of water and induce secretory diarrhea, which is responsible for the loose liquidy stools.
- Headache and body aches.
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How Do You Treat A Child’s Stomach Virus
The best ways to treat the stomach flu in kids are hydration and rest. “For hydration, use a rehydration solution that’s available in any store and over the counter,” says Dr. Rojas. “Start with small sips and increase gradually, so they don’t vomit it up.”
Water alone may not be enough to rehydrate kids safely, especially younger children. Kids lose electrolytes when they vomit or have diarrhea. This can lead to low sodium in the blood, a dangerous situation. A rehydration solution, like Pedialyte, replenishes fluids and electrolytes. Broth can also be helpful.
You can also make a rehydration solution at home by combining 4 ¼ cups of water, 6 teaspoons of sugar and a ½ teaspoon of salt.
Dr. Rojas also recommends lots of rest for children. Rest can help the digestive system settle and heal.
Remedies For Little Ones
As terrible as it is to get the stomach flu yourself, it is even harder to watch your child go through it. If your infants symptoms havent subsided in a day or two, take them to the doctor.
Their doctor can make sure your child is on their way to recovery without any complications. They can also check to make sure there are no other causes for their symptoms.
Encouraging children to continue to take sips of water to replace lost fluids is important to prevent dehydration. All infants and toddlers can also drink an electrolyte solution like Pedialyte.
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If The Stomach Flu Has You In A Lot Of Pain As Acute Gastroenteritis Will Dont Be Afraid To Take Pain Killers
Pain killers with acetaminophen, like Tylenol are good because they dont upset your stomach as easily as medicines like ibuprofen, Aleve , and aspirin. If youre having way too much stomach pain, ask your doctor for Oxycodone. Thatll knock the pain out, help you sleep, and make everything really funny before you pass out.
How To Treat Stomach Virus
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Why Drink Coke In Case Of Gastroenteritis
Studies have shown the role of phosphoric acid and sugar present in coke which has an antiemetic action .
It may therefore be wise to consume it quickly to stop nausea, but be careful, it must be degassed and drunk in small quantities.
Note also that the sugar it may contain accelerates diarrhea if not consumed in moderation.
What Is Flurona And How Serious Can It Be
- Flurona is a term thats been coined to describe when a person has both the flu and COVID-19 at the same.
- While its not clear how sick having both viruses could make people, medical experts say at-risk populations should take measures to protect themselves against both the flu and COVID-19.
- Getting the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to reduce your risk of severe complications from both viruses.
This month, a pregnant woman in Israel was diagnosed with both influenza and COVID-19, making hers the first documented case of whats being called flurona.
Last year, experts worried about the possibility of people developing both COVID-19 and influenza at the same time, but theyre even more concerned this year.
Last year, there wasnt very much influenza at all, so there wasnt much opportunity last year to learn about these simultaneous infections, Dr. William Schaffner, professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, told Healthline.
Current Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention data indicates that the country is on track for an influenza season of at least average severity. This severity can be substantial on its own, says Schaffner, but could be detrimental when combined with COVID-19.
With more businesses opening up, less physical distancing, and more children attending in-person school, the flu virus can now circulate more easily.
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