Can A Stomach Virus Be Prevented Or Avoided
A flu shot will not prevent a stomach virus. The flu shot only prevent the influenza virus. That is a respiratory illness.
The norovirus can change over time. Therefore, vaccines are still being studied. A rotavirus vaccine is available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children get a rotavirus vaccine. Two different vaccines exist. They require 2 to 3 doses. Children should receive the full vaccine prior to 8 months of age.
You can help prevent or avoid a stomach virus by doing these things:
- Wash your hands often.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects in your home, office, and classroom.
- Use hand sanitizer after being in public.
- Stay away from people who have the virus.
If you have stomach virus, be responsible. Do not expose others to it. This includes babies, older people, and people with a low immune system. Do not go to school, work, or public places.
What Is Stomach Flu
Also known as Viral Gastroenteritis, Stomach Flu is a short-term illness that can last for up to 1-week maximum. Some people will even get better without drinking any medicine. People who have Stomach Flu often experience severe pain and cramps around the stomach area. Some may even experience vomiting and feeling nauseous. Aside from that, people with Stomach Flu may also have watery diarrhea. Others can even feel feverish whenever they have stomach flu.
Stomach Flu is caused by viruses that affect your intestines. These Viruses invade your healthy cells. Although its commonly known as stomach flu, this term is medically incorrect. Flu means its caused by an influenza virus. However, stomach flu isnt caused by these viruses. Aside from that, its also not on your stomach but in your intestines.
Although Stomach Flu mostly lasts for a short time, it can still be dangerous. Since some of its symptoms are having watery-diarrhea and vomiting, you can easily get dehydrated, which is dangerous.
You can use Cinnamon for Stomach Flu as your stomach flu remedy at home.
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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Home Remedies For Gastroenteritis : Natural Ways To Help You Feel Better
Gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, is a condition in which the stomach and the small intestine become inflamed. Gastroenteritis is primarily caused by viral or bacterial infections. The infections are typically caused by contaminated water and spoiled food.
Acute gastroenteritis is a common cause of clinic visits and hospitalizations in the USA. Approximately 179 million cases of acute gastroenteritis occur each year. This results in millions of clinic visits, almost 500,000 hospitalizations, and more than 5,000 deaths per year.
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Natural Remedies For Stomach Flu
The stomach fluyou know, that queasy, rolling in the gut that sneaks up on you and makes you run for that little room. We have all suffered from it before and probably will again. So do you run for the Pepto? Well, maybe not.
Over-the-counter remedies will not address the root problem, as they only treat the symptoms. Yes, this makes you feel better for the moment, but it lengthens your recovery time, often by days!
When it comes to treating stomach flu and mild cases of food poisoning, old-fashioned, folk remedies are great. They will start soothing symptoms, but they also work to heal the cause.
Flu symptoms may not be the flu at all. The virus that causes colds can travel to your stomach via your hands, food, or drinks and make you feel like you have the stomach flu, when in fact you have a cold that has settled in your stomach and intestines instead of your nasal passages, bronchial tubes, and lungs.
To prevent this virus from taking a vacation in your gut, and to prevent disease in general, wash your hands and face before eating keep shared items clean and boost immune response with a well-balanced diet, exercise, daily multi-vitamins and vitamin C. When you do catch a bug, taking time to treat yourself properly will markedly lessen its impact and prevent it from spreading to others.
Home Remedies:
So, skip the Pepto and ask grandma what she recommends for your stomach symptoms. And as always, consult your healthcare practitioner before starting any treatment.
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How Do Doctors Treat Viral Gastroenteritis
Your doctor may prescribe medicine to control severe vomiting. Doctors dont prescribe antibiotics to treat viral gastroenteritis. Antibiotics dont work for viral infections.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend probiotics. Probiotics are live microbes, most often bacteria, that are like the ones you normally have in your digestive tract. Studies suggest that some probiotics may help shorten a case of diarrhea. Researchers are still studying the use of probiotics to treat viral gastroenteritis. For safety reasons, talk with your doctor before using probiotics or any other complementary or alternative medicines or practices.
Anyone with signs or symptoms of dehydration should see a doctor right away. Doctors may need to treat people with severe dehydration in a hospital.
Bananas Rice Applesauce And Toast
Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast are the foundation of the BRAT diet.
Health professionals commonly recommend these bland foods for stomach complaints, as theyre gentle on your stomach.
Keep in mind that the BRAT diet alone will not provide your body with all the nutrients it needs.
In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children return to their usual age-appropriate diets as soon as they are rehydrated .
Nonetheless, bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast are safe options to start with when queasy from the stomach flu.
Summary
Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast are safe foods to try while sick with the stomach flu.
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How To Treat Stomach Flu Effectively
Sylvia Zakusilov, NP on July 13, 2021
When you get the stomach flu, you know it. Unlike the regular flu, which is challenging enough, the stomach flu includes vicious symptoms that can keep you between your bed and the bathroom for days. When the stomach flu strikes, it typically begins with symptoms that are at least manageable.
However, they soon transition into symptoms that will wilt even the toughest of persons. To make matters worse, there isnt a cure for the stomach flu! So, what are your options? Fortunately, there are some helpful treatments that you can employ to make a bout with the stomach flu at least somewhat tolerable.
Even if youre not currently sick, its a good idea to keep this guide bookmarked and handy. If youre unfortunate enough to get hit with the stomach flu, you can refer back here for a helping hand.
Get Stomach Flu Treatment Online
If youre experiencing diarrhea, dehydration, fever, or any other uncomfortable symptoms, its important to contact your doctor to find out how to get rid of the stomach flu. Scheduling a doctors appointment can also help you determine whether youre suffering from stomach flu or food poisoning.
With PlushCare, you can schedule a phone or video appointment with a trusted doctor from the comfort of your own home. Your PlushCare doctor can diagnose your stomach flu and help you determine the best treatment options for your infection.
to book an appointment with one of our doctors today.
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Home Remedies For Stomach Flu
In addition to rest, hydration, and easily digestible foods, there are many home remedies for the stomach flu. The effectiveness of home remedies may vary from person to person, but all offer low-cost methods of treating gastroenteritis at home.
Popular at-home the stomach flu remedies include:
- Ginger As mentioned earlier, ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, reduces the symptoms of nausea, and helps digestion. Ginger is found in most grocery stores as lozenges, or you can find it fresh in the produce section.
- Peppermint Peppermint leaves are a natural pain reliever and can be consumed as mints or infused in tea to relieve stomach aches and pains.
- Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar is found in most grocery stores and can be diluted in water . Apple cider vinegar should be consumed 1 tablespoon at a time. The bacteria promote a healthy gut, making apple cider vinegar an effective preventive measure against the stomach flu.
For Starters: Its Not Really The Flu
Confusingly, stomach flu isnt actually the flu. Influenza virus is a respiratory infection, whereas the stomach flu is viral gastroenteritis.
That means that your flu shot definitely wont prevent the stomach flu and that regular influenza shouldnt be sending you on emergency trips to the bathroom.
The most common form of viral gastroenteritis in the US is the norovirus. According to the CDC, there are 19 to 21 million acute cases of norovirus causing gastroenteritis every year. Though you can get the illness in any season, it tends strike November April.
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How The Stomach Flu Is Treated
In most cases, viral gastroenteritis doesnt need to be treated by a healthcare provider. Home remedies, like getting plenty of fluids and eating a bland diet, can treat symptoms until the illness passes. For people who have a digestive disease or another serious illness, however, seeking advice from a healthcare provider might be needed to avoid complications.
Diarrhea or vomiting that lasts more than a few days, contains blood or mucus, is black or looks like coffee grounds, or causes severe pain, is a reason to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
How Long Does The Stomach Flu Last
Most cases of viral gastroenteritis resolve on their own. A norovirus infection typically lasts one to three days, but rotavirus gastroenteritis can take up to a week to clear. Viral gastroenteritis caused by adenovirus or astrovirus holds on longer, typically taking five to 12 days to resolve. Gastroenteritis that lasts longer than two weeks, or chronic gastroenteritis, is usually due to a bacterial or parasite infection.
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Ginger Tea As A Stomach Pain Remedy
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of ginger neutralize excess acids that cause stomach pain.
Drinking ginger tea may help to stimulate proper digestion by promoting the production of digestive juices while fighting harmful free radicals that cause disease.
Drink two to three cups of ginger tea daily.
- Cut one medium-sized ginger root into thin slices.
- Add the ginger to one cup of boiling water and boil for three minutes.
- Lower heat and simmer for five minutes.
- Strain and add honey for flavor.
Causes Of The Stomach Flu
The stomach flu is usually caused by any number of different viruses that can attack your gastrointestinal system. Its not caused by the influenza virus, which gives you the seasonal flu.
Less often, bacteria can cause it, typically due to contaminated water or food that was prepared inadequately or in an unhygienic environment.
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Getting Medical Advice For Your Child
You don’t usually need to see your GP if you think your child has gastroenteritis, as it should get better on its own, and taking them to a GP surgery can put others at risk.
Phone the 111 service or your GP if you’re concerned about your child, or they:
- have symptoms of dehydration, such as passing less urine than normal, being unusually irritable or unresponsive, pale or mottled skin, or cold hands and feet
- have blood in their poo or green vomit
- are vomiting constantly and are unable to keep down any fluids or feeds
- have had diarrhoea for more than a week
- have been vomiting for three days or more
- have signs of a more serious illness, such as a high fever , shortness of breath, rapid breathing, a stiff neck, a rash that doesn’t fade when you roll a glass over it or a bulging fontanelle
- have a serious underlying condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease or a weak immune system, and have diarrhoea and vomiting
Your GP may suggest sending off a sample of your child’s poo to a laboratory to confirm what’s causing their symptoms. Antibiotics may be prescribed if this shows they have a bacterial infection.
How Do I Get Rid Of The Stomach Flu
The medical treatment for stomach flu is based on maintaining adequate hydration and body sodium–potassium levels. The treatment for stomach flu initially consists of self-care measures such as
- You should drink plenty of liquids, clear broths, soups or noncaffeinated drinks taking small frequent sips.
- Gradually, you should begin to eat bland, easy-to-digest foods like bananas, rice and chicken.
- You should avoid certain foods and substances until you feel better like dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, fatty or spicy food.
- You should get plenty of rest because the illness can cause weakness.
- Painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can make your stomach more upset therefore, you should be cautious about the medication. You will get mild anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen from your doctor.
- You should avoid antibiotics because they fight bacteria not viruses. Antibiotic overuse can encourage the development of an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria.
- Dehydrationin stomach flu can lead to serious problems. In severe dehydration, you may require hospitalization and your doctor may inject fluids through your veins.
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Eat Or Drink Your Probiotics
Live culture foods help populate your digestive tract with healthy bacteria and other friendly beasties. This can help your body crowd out the troublemakers and speed your recovery.
Yogurt, milk kefir, water kefir, kombucha, and lacto-fermented foods all contain bacteria that promotes a healthy immune system. You can, of course, purchase these items from the store or buy the little capsules, but it’s really easy to make you own at home.
Again, use small servings, especially with the kombucha, which can have a detox effect. No more than 2-4 ounces per day of kombucha tea. Yogurt and kefir are gentler and safer in larger amounts .
Is The Stomach Flu Worse In Some People
In general, most people recover quickly from the stomach flu. Symptoms can be worse in babies, young children, older adults or anyone of any age that is immune-compromised. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration within just a short period of time, depending on the circumstances. Signs of dehydration include:
- Extreme thirst.
- General weakness.
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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.
What Causes The Stomach Flu
First off, the stomach flu isn’t really the flu at all. It is caused by viruses, but not the influenza virus. Viral Gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States. It causes millions of cases of diarrhea each year.
Heart Spring breaks down the symptoms and causes of the stomach flu.
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What Causes Stomach Flu
The stomach flu can be caused by the norovirus or rotavirus. According to Cleveland Clinic, Norovirus is often the culprit for adults, while rotavirus is frequently to blame for stomach flu in children, with both viruses infecting the lining of the small intestine.
While the stomach flu usually goes away within a few days, children and elderly people may experience further complications. People taking medication that may weaken their immune systems are more susceptible to viral gastroenteritis.
On a global scale, viral gastroenteritis is a leading cause of death in children under 4 years. Stomach flu is more prevalent in developing countries with little access to clean water or facilities.
What Is The Stomach Flu
Viral gastroenteritis is a viral infection of the stomach and intestines that causes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and abdominal cramping. While most cases resolve in a few days without serious problems, viral gastroenteritis can be a serious and even life-threatening infection in very young children, seniors, or people with immune system problems.
Several different viruses can cause stomach flu, but nine in ten cases are caused by norovirus. Rotavirus is usually the culprit when young children come down with stomach flu, but rotavirus vaccines have drastically reduced the incidence in the United States. Other viruses such as adenovirus , astrovirus, and sapovirus are responsible for a small number of cases, chiefly among infants and children. The influenza virus, however, never causes stomach flu, so a flu shot does not help prevent stomach flu.
Bacteria can also cause gastroenteritis, most commonly Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. Treatment and medications for bacterial gastroenteritis are covered more fully in their own articles.
Norovirus is a particularly contagious, tough, and long-lasting virus. It can survive extreme heat, freezing cold, withstand many disinfectants, and survive on surfaces for up to two weeks. For this reason, norovirus is responsible for over half of all foodborne outbreaks. About 21 million people in the United States get sick and nearly 800 people die from norovirus infection each year.
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