When It’s Time To Call A Doctor
Some symptoms of gastroenteritis are bad enough that you should seek medical attention if you develop them. These include:
- Persistent vomiting/inability to keep down liquids for more than 24 hours
- Persistent diarrhea for 24 hours for children or a couple of days for adults
- Fever 101 degrees F or higher
- Blood in stool, black stool, pus in stool
- Nervous system issues including loss of balance or coordination/numbness
- Severe GI or rectal pain
- CDC: “About Parasites,” “Parasites,” “Travelers’ Diarrhea.”
- CDC Yellow Book: Travelers Diarrhea.
- KidsHealth.org: Dehydration.
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.
Stomach Flu Symptoms 201: Signs Of Virus And How To Treat
Viral gastroenteritis, commonly known as stomach flu, is caused by several viruses, including norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus. Getting in contact with an infected person, consumption of contaminated food or water is often blamed for stomach flu.
Though the intestinal infection can affect people at any time of the year, it is most prevalent during fall and winter in the U.S. Despite the name, the infection actually has nothing to do with influenza. The stomach flu viruses attack the digestive tract leading to inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
The infection is not serious but is troublesome for the person affected by it. Symptoms often last for one to three days in some cases even longer. Dehydration is the main risk factor involved in stomach flu, especially for babies and elderly people.
Symptoms
- Pain in the abdomen, rectum, or stomach
- Belching
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What Causes A Stomach Bug
A stomach bug is usually caused by viruses, including:
- Enteric adenovirus
- Astrovirus
Viral gastroenteritis peaks in the winter and spring when these viruses are most actively spreading in the community.
The viruses that cause stomach bugs are spread from person to person by:
- Touching an infected person
- Touching a surface with the virus on it
- Consuming foods or drinks with the virus in them
How Do You Get Food Poisoning Vs Stomach Flu
Viruses are the most frequent cause of food poisoning in the U.S. The next highest causes are bacteria. Other causes include chemicals, parasites, toxins, and bacteria.
Foods most commonly associated with food poisoning include:
- Eggs
- Unpasteurized milk or other fluids
- Cheese,
- Raw fruits and vegetables (usually unwashed
- Nuts
- Spices
Gastroenteritis or the stomach flu can spread from person to person because of improper hand-washing following a bowel movement or handling a soiled diaper.
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Conventional H Pylori Treatment
In order to diagnose a Helicobacter pylori infection, your doctor will have you take an H. pylori breath test, stool test or blood test.
Treatment for H. pylori usually includes several medications with at least two of thembeing antibiotics to hopefully kill the bacteria. The other medication are usually acid reducers. Why multiple antibiotics? Conventional wisdom says a single antibiotic may not kill the bacteria, so they typically use at least two at the same time.
Conventional H. pylori treatment also typically includes acid reducers like esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole or pantoprazole, especially if the patient has symptoms of an ulcer or heartburn. Bismuth subsalicylate is also commonly recommended. In addition, your doctor may also recommend histamine blocking medications to reduce stomach acid.
So, all together, were talking about possibly consuming 14 or more medications every day for weeks. Around a week or two after finishing your treatment regimen, your doctor will likely retest you to see if the treatment successfully eradicated the H. pylori bacteria.
Sometimes, the bacteria is still there and patients are instructed to take another two weeks of medications. Its approximated that as much as 20 percent of H. pylori sufferers will have a reoccurring infection.
Looking After A Child With Gastroenteritis
You can look after your child at home if they have diarrhoea and vomiting. There’s not usually any specific treatment and your child should start feeling better in a few days.
You don’t normally need to get medical advice unless their symptoms don’t improve or there’s a risk of a more serious problem.
To help ease your child’s symptoms:
- Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids. They need to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea. Water is generally best. Avoid giving them fizzy drinks or fruit juice, as they can make their diarrhoea worse. Babies should continue to feed as usual, either with breast milk or other milk feeds.
- Make sure they get plenty of rest.
- Let your child eat if they’re eating solids and feel hungry. Try small amounts of plain foods, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread.
- Give them paracetamol if they have an uncomfortable fever or aches and pains. Young children may find liquid paracetamol easier to swallow than tablets.
- Use special rehydration drinks made from sachets bought from pharmacies if they’re dehydrated. Your GP or pharmacist can advise on how much to give your child. Don’t give them antidiarrhoeal and anti-vomiting medication, unless advised to by your GP or pharmacist.
Make sure you and your child wash your hands regularly while your child is ill and keep them away from school or nursery until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have cleared .
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Norovirus Outbreak In Kids: What Are The Symptoms And How Do You Treat Ityour Browser Indicates If You’ve Visited This Link
An outbreak of Norovirus in a childcare facility at the end of October saw 33 people fall ill from the highly contagious bug. The contagious virus usually peaks in the winter with many cases reported in the last month across Ireland according to figures released by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre .
DublinLive on MSN.com
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.
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How Long Does Stomach Flu Last
How long does a stomach virus last? Fortunately, its typically a short-lived illness. However, some people experience lingering symptoms even after the infection is resolved.
While the stomach flu can cause some very uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms, these symptoms dont usually hang around for long. Most people only have symptoms for a day or two. Sometimes, the stomach flu can last for up to 10 days.
In the weeks or months after the infection goes away, some people notice lingering gastrointestinal symptoms. This is called post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome. The cause of this condition isnt known, but one theory is that the stomach flu alters your normal bowel bacteria. The good news is that post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome tends to get better over time.
What Causes A Stomach Virus
Several things can cause a stomach virus:
- Norovirus: This is the main cause. This represents a family of viruses.
- Rotavirus: This is a viral infection. This is common in babies and young kids.
Viral stomach infections are contagious. It is easy to get and give a stomach virus. It is spread by contact with an infected person, surface, or object. Stomach viruses are likely to spread at places with a lot of people. This includes schools, daycares, nursing homes, airplanes, cruise ships, and hospitals. Stomach viruses are common in cold weather months.
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Symptoms Of Bacterial Infection In Stomach
Most people suffer from stomach problems, like indigestion and constipation, which are common types of digestive disease. Stomach problems can be caused by a number of factors, but bacterial infections seem to be one of the most common stomach ailments. Infections in the stomach will cause pain or tenderness in the upper abdominal area or right below your breastbone. Many people often confuse bacteria with viral infections because both have similar symptoms. However, there is a simple way to tell if you have contracted a bacterial infection: it hurts when you press on your abdomen and causes a fever.
Bacterial Infection In Stomach The most common symptoms of gastrointestinal infection are abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. An infectious disease is an illness that results from the presence of pathogenic microorganisms or other infectious agents in an individual host organism. It can also refer to a syndrome caused by an infectious agent. A germ is a small infectious agent that causes diseases such as acute respiratory infections, foodborne illness, some forms of cancer. Some germs manage to cause disease even though they do not live inside their hosts these are called prions.
Southern Cross Medical Library
The purpose of the Southern Cross Medical Library is to provide information of a general nature to help you better understand certain medical conditions. Always seek specific medical advice for treatment appropriate to you. This information is not intended to relate specifically to insurance or healthcare services provided by Southern Cross. For more articles go to the Medical Library index page.
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Medicine For Stomach Virus
There are no medications to cure stomach viruses, since usually they will just run their course and resolve on their own. In some instances, you may become severely dehydrated, in which case you may need stomach flu treatment such as IV fluid therapy under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Some people who continue to have diarrhea may choose to take over-the-counter stomach flu medications, such as:
- Imodium
- Pepto-Bismol
- Oral rehydration solutions
If you have diarrhea for more than 2 days without improvement, you should seek medical attention. Otherwise, common home remedies are used to treat stomach viruses.
Treatment For The Stomach Flu
Most babies and kids wont need treatment for the stomach flu. Theres no specific treatment for the viruses that cause it.
Unless your doctor recommends it, dont give your child antidiarrheal and anti-nausea medications. Although it doesnt seem like it, some diarrhea and throwing up can be good because its part of getting rid of the virus.
Your doctor might recommend over-the-counter pain relievers to make your child more comfortable.
You can give babies over the age of 6 months pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Ask your pediatrician about the exact dosage. Too much pain relief medication can make babies ill.
Never give aspirin to babies and children. Aspirin and children dont mix. It can lead to a condition called Reyes syndrome.
Several home remedies can help make your baby or child more comfortable while dealing with the stomach flu.
- Let the stomach settle. Avoid feeding your baby or child solid food for a few hours.
- Give older children frozen juice treats or ice chips. This helps to prevent dehydration.
- If your baby is throwing up, wait 15 to 20 minutes before giving them any liquids. Try nursing your baby if they want to feed. Drinking milk may help hydrate your baby its OK if they throw up some or all of it right after.
- Try using as syringe to give babies small amounts of liquids if they dont want to nurse or bottle feed.
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What To Eat With The Stomach Flu
The most commonly recommended diet for when you are able to keep food down again is the “B.R.A.T. diet.” These are the four most easily digested foods that won’t exacerbate the intestinal inflammation associated with gastroenteritis:
- B – bananas
- A – applesauce
- T – toast
If you can’t or prefer not to eat these things, there are plenty of other options for stomach ache foods:
- Saltine crackers
- Oatmeal or Cream of Wheat
- J-ello
- broths
Things to avoid:
- Protein – it’s hard to digest, and when your gut is inflamed, eating meat, eggs or legumes will only further irritate your bowel.
- Sugar/sweetened beverages – sugar will only make diarrhea worse, so avoid candy, fruit juice and sodas .
Is Stomach Flu Contagious
Yes! Usually a virus causes the stomach flu. Symptoms appear one to three days after exposure, so you are contagious before you begin to develop symptoms.
And even after youve recovered from your symptoms, you can remain contagious for up to two weeks. Children can remain contagious for an even longer period afterward.
To decrease the risk of passing it onto others, do not go to work or school with symptoms. If you have a fever, wait until its gone for 24 hours before returning to your routine.
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Stomach Flu And Children
Children can get dehydrated quickly, so if your child has the stomach flu, it’s important that you look for signs that they are very thirsty or has dry skin or a dry mouth. If you have a baby, look for fewer, drier diapers.
Keep children with gastroenteritis out of day care or school until all symptoms are gone. Check with your doctor before giving your child any medicine. Drugs used to control diarrhea and vomiting aren’t usually given to children younger than 5.
To help prevent rotavirus — the most common cause of stomach flu for children — there are two vaccines that can be given to infants. Talk to your doctor about the vaccines.
Foodborne Illness Due To Bacillus Cereus
Bacillus cereus, commonly found in soil, is a gram-positive endospore-forming bacterium that can sometimes cause foodborne illness. B. cereus endospores can survive cooking and produce enterotoxins in food after it has been heated illnesses often occur after eating rice and other prepared foods left at room temperature for too long. The signs and symptoms appear within a few hours of ingestion and include nausea, pain, and abdominal cramps. B. cereus produces two toxins: one causing diarrhea, and the other causing vomiting. More severe signs and symptoms can sometimes develop.
Diagnosis can be accomplished by isolating bacteria from stool samples or vomitus and uneaten infected food. Treatment involves rehydration and supportive therapy. Antibiotics are not typically needed, as the illness is usually relatively mild and is due to toxin activity.
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What Is The Treatment For Food Poisoning Vs Stomach Flu
Food Poisoning Treatment
The primary treatment for food poisoning is with fluids to avoid dehydration, especially in children and the elderly.
Some patients may benefit from medication to reduce nausea and vomiting. The use of medications like loperamide to treat diarrhea is often not advised as it may prolong symptoms or cause additional problems. Patients are advised to check with their doctor before using the medication. Antibiotics are not used to treat viral and most bacterial causes of food poisoning, but may be used in certain circumstances.
Severe bacterial infections and pregnant women with listeriosis will get antibiotics some other pathogens such as certain parasites may be treated with antiparasitic medications. Other relatively rare causes of food poisoning may require special medications.
Home care for mild to moderate bacterial and viral food poisoning is mainly preventing dehydration. Fluid replacement by mouth using a combination of water and electrolyte solutions like Gatorade or Pedialyte is usually enough to avoid dehydration as long is enough is taken to replace the amount lost through diarrhea. A doctor or a specialist should treat infrequent or rare causes of food poisoning moreover, this should be done in severe viral and bacterial food poisonings.
Stomach Flu Treatment
For adults, the doctor may prescribe medications to stop the vomiting such as:
Sometimes these medications are prescribed as a suppository.
Reviewed on 1/17/2020
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.
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