How Is It Treated
The most important thing to do is to rest the stomach and intestine. You can do this by not eating solid food for a while and drinking only clear liquids. As your symptoms go away, you can start eating soft bland foods that are easy to digest.
If you have been vomiting a lot, it is best to have only small, frequent sips of liquids. Drinking too much at once, even an ounce or two, may cause more vomiting.
Your choice of liquids is important. If water is the only liquid you can drink without vomiting, that is OK. However, if you have been vomiting often or for a long time, you must replace the minerals, sodium and potassium, that are lost when you vomit. Ask your healthcare provider what sport drinks or other rehydration drinks could help you replace these minerals.
Other clear liquids you can drink are weak tea and apple juice. You may also drink soft drinks without caffeine after letting them go flat . It may be easier to keep down liquids that are cold. Avoid liquids that are acidic or caffeinated or have a lot of carbonation. Do not drink milk until you no longer have diarrhea.
Sometimes treatment includes prescription medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting or diarrhea.
Nonprescription medicine is available for the treatment of diarrhea and can be very effective. If you use it, make sure you use only the dose recommended on the package. If you have chronic health problems, always check with your healthcare provider before you use any medicine for diarrhea.
Dont Lie Down Too Early After Food
When you lie down, you increase the chances of acids in the stomach to travel backward and upward which can cause heartburn.
If you already looking to get rid of upset stomach and diarrhea, you should not lie down until it has relieved you.
If you must, then prop your head and neck at about an angle of 30 degrees.
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Causes Of Stomach Flu
The stomach flu is an infection that attacks your intestines. Its most often caused by viruses like norovirus in adults or rotavirus in children. But it can also be triggered by other viruses, bacteria, parasites, or toxins.
While other illnesses are transmitted through the air, the stomach flu is transmitted via:
- Contaminated food or drink
- Touching a surface that’s been infected
- Person-to-person contact with someone who has the infection
- Contact with the vomit or stools of someone who has the infection
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How Can Stomach Flu Be Prevented
Since stomach flu can be caused by multiple factors, getting the flu vaccination alone isnt enough to protect you from gastroenteritis. Children should follow the standard vaccination schedule and get the rotavirus vaccination when indicated. This vaccination can protect your child from getting sick from the rotovirus but not all children can receive this oral vaccination, so please check with your pediatrician before doing so.
You can take other steps to reduce your risk of getting stomach flu:
Practice good handwashing
When youre sick, the virus spreads from anything that comes in contact with virus-infected feces. Good handwashing is vital in stopping the spread. Viruses left on hands can easily spread to surfaces, food and people you touch. Its important to wash your hands well after you go to the bathroom, change a diaper, touch any bathroom surfaces and before you handle food.
Be careful with food
You can catch stomach flu from contaminated food or water, or pass it on to someone else. To keep viruses out of your food:
Clean sick areas
Clean anything that you may have touched while you were sick with stomach flu. Wash laundry with hot water and dry with high heat. Be sure to use a disinfectant to clean areas where a sick person vomited or had diarrhea.
Can A Stomach Bug Cause Only Diarrhea
stomach flugastroenteritisGastroenteritiscausingdiarrheadiarrhea
. Correspondingly, can you have a stomach bug with just diarrhea?
Most individuals with gastroenteritis will experience both diarrhea and vomiting, but some experience only one of these symptoms. Persistent diarrhea and vomiting can lead to abdominal pain, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, and dehydration.
One may also ask, is there a stomach virus going around 2019? Norovirus. Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus.
In this regard, can you have a stomach virus without vomiting or diarrhea?
Common symptoms of norovirus infection include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. The infected person may feel very sick and vomit often, sometimes without warning, many times a day. Sometimes people infected with norovirus have no symptoms at all, but can still pass the virus to others.
How long does stomach bug last?
Stomach flu is an infection in the intestines. It has an incubation period of 1 to 3 days, during which no symptoms occur. Once symptoms appear, they usually last for 1 to 2 days, although symptoms may linger for as long as 10 days. This can be especially true for older people.
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A Pharmacist Can Help With Diarrhoea And Vomiting
Speak to a pharmacist if:
- you or your child have signs of dehydration such as dark, smelly pee or peeing less than usual
- you need to stop diarrhoea for a few hours
They may recommend:
- oral rehydration sachets you mix with water to make a drink
- medicine to stop diarrhoea for a few hours not suitable for children under 12
Take A Look At Your Medications
Certain over the counter medicines like ibuprofen can cause stomach pain, especially if you take them on a regular basis. Always read the recommended dosage on over the counter pill bottles to ensure you can safely use them.
Prescription medication can also be a problem. Often, your prescription will come with instructions for the time of day to take a pill. If you are instructed to take your medicine before, during, or after a meal, make sure you follow those directions to avoid stomach problems.
Sometimes combining multiple prescriptions can be the origin of your abdominal pain or nausea. If you just started a new prescription and its causing you to feel sick or throw up, you should contact your doctor so they can help you come up with a solution.
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How To Find Relief
Many of the conditions that cause PD require medical treatment, but these four lifestyle treatments may also ease the condition:
Avoid trigger foods: Certain foods may contribute to PD. If you arent sure what your trigger foods are, keep a food diary. Make note of what you eat and when you experience PD. Look for food commonly associated with PD, such as fatty foods, fiber, and dairy.
Practice food safety: Keep bad bacteria at bay by washing fruits and vegetables before eating them, cooking meat to the proper temperature, and properly refrigerating foods that need to be kept cold.
Eat smaller meals: Eat five to six small meals a day instead of three big ones. This may help your intestines more easily digest food, and that could reduce symptoms of PD.
Reduce stress: Your mind has a lot of power over your gut. When youre stressed or worried, you may make your stomach upset more easily. Learning to manage your stress and anxiety is good not only for your mental health, but also for your digestive health.
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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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Causes Of An Upset Stomach
If your stomach is bothering you, it is most likely due to irritation or inflammation of your stomach lining. There are several different reasons why the lining could get irritated or inflamed.
One of the reasons could be from eating or drinking too much. Sometimes its as simple as that you had too much food during you most recent meal. Instead of having two slices of pizza you ate seven.
Drinking too much of anything can also cause an upset stomach. That includes alcohol, soda, juice, sports drinks, and even water. Although you should drink plenty of water throughout the day, if you drink too much of it too fast it can cause your belly to hurt.
Food allergies are another cause of your problem. If you are unsure about foods you may be allergic to, you can consult with your doctor and get some tests run. Common food allergies include gluten, dairy, fish, or nuts. If certain foods bother your stomach every time you eat them, its best to avoid those and find out if you are allergic.
Its also possible to get sick from food that you are not allergic to. Food poising occurs when bacteria, viruses, or parasites are in the food youre eating. That can happen if your meal is not properly prepared. For example, undercooked meat or chicken can lead to food poisoning.
Indigestion is another common cause of stomach pain. It happens when your body cannot properly process the food you ate. Poor diet choices and dehydration can cause indigestion.
How Long Are You Contagious
Stomach flu can be very contagious. The amount of time youre contagious is determined by the type of virus you have. Norovirus is the most common cause of stomach flu. People with stomach flu caused by norovirus become contagious as soon as they start to have symptoms and remain contagious for several days afterward.
Norovirus can last in stool for two weeks or longer. This makes it possible for caregivers who change diapers to become infected unless they take precautions such as immediate hand washing.
Rotavirus is the leading cause of stomach flu in infants, toddlers, and children. Stomach flu caused by rotavirus is contagious during the incubation period that precedes symptoms.
People infected with this virus continue to be contagious for up to two weeks after theyve recovered.
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Foods To Eat To Stop Diarrhea In Its Tracks
Everyone would probably agree that having diarrhea is the worst. An upset stomach greatly disrupts quality of life until symptoms are resolved. Whether you have got nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, there are a variety of foods that can help ease and even cure diarrhea. No matter your symptoms, choosing the right foods to help ease instead of exacerbate your pain.
Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of things such as a virus, food poisoning, eating or drinking too much, or a food allergy. The main thing to remember any time you are having stomach problems is to stay thoroughly hydrated. This means drinking plenty of clear liquids, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine.
If you are experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, it is best to stick to bland foods. Try to avoid fatty foods or dairy as these can make your symptoms worse. On the other hand, if you are experiencing constipation, try to stick to fibrous foods, while making sure you are drinking plenty of water.
Here are some foods you can stock up on, that address the unpleasant symptoms of diarrhea. Many of these are pantry staples, so they are easy to keep on hand for the next time you are not feeling well.
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What Causes Acute Pd
Some conditions or issues may cause a brief bout of PD. Time may put a stop to the PD symptoms, or medicine may be required. These causes include:
Viral infection: Viral infections, like stomach bugs, can cause temporary PD and make your digestive tract extra sensitive. The PD may last for a few days, even after other symptoms have eased.
Lactose intolerance: People with an allergy to lactose, a type of sugar found in dairy products, may experience PD if they eat foods containing lactose. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea.
Food poisoning: The human body does a good job of knowing it has eaten something it shouldnt. When it detects the bad food, your body will probably try to expel it immediately. That may cause diarrhea or vomiting within a few minutes of eating the contaminated food.
Sugar malabsorption: This condition is very similar to lactose intolerance. Some peoples bodies cant properly absorb sugars like lactose and fructose. When these sugars enter the intestine, they can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues.
Toddlers diarrhea: Toddlers and young children who drink a lot of fruit juice may develop PD. The high amounts of sugar in these drinks can draw water into the bowels, which can cause watery stools and diarrhea.
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Common Symptoms Of Stomach Flu/stomach Bug
Common stomach flu symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Listeria
- Hepatitis A
Theres a good reason why eating raw cookie dough is a big no-noconsuming raw eggs that have been tainted with salmonella or flour contaminated with E. coli can result in food poisoning. You can also come down with food poisoning after eating raw or undercooked poultry, meat, seafood or dairy. Another common source of food poisoning is fried rice thats been sitting out in warm temperatures for too long.
The bacteria that cause food poisoning can be spread by an infected food handler, or from contaminated water, knives, countertops, or cutting boards. Like the stomach flu, prevention is the best approach to avoid food poisoning. The most obvious measure would be to stay away from contaminated food and water. But since we often dont know whats been tainted until its too late, its recommended to be mindful around food, and to take care to properly cook, clean, handle, and store it.
When To See A Doctor
Most people don’t need to see the doctor when they have the stomach flu. But it’s a good idea to get medical attention if you or your child has stomach flu and:
- Is under 3 months old
- Is over 3 months old and has been vomiting for more than 12 hours or the diarrhea hasn’t gotten better after two days
- Is an adult and the diarrhea hasnât gotten a little better after two days
- Has other symptoms, such as high fever or blood or pus in the stool
In rare cases, people with stomach flu need to be hospitalized, usually because of dehydration. In adults, dehydration can cause extreme thirst, decreased urination, dark urine, dry skin, fatigue, and dizziness. In babies and young children, dehydration can cause:
- Crying without tears
- Going three hours or more without a wet diaper
- Fever
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You Can Eat If Youre Hungry
The cherry flavor from Pepto Diarrhea Liquid may be the most flavorful thing you taste when dealing with diarrhea from the stomach bug. Experts recommend eating soft, bland, easy-to-digest foods like bananas, brown rice, broths, plain applesauce, whole grain bread, and potatoes. Donât think mouthwatering, crispy, salty French fries, though. You should also avoid fatty foods, including fried and fast food, as well as spicy and sugary foodâso no milkshake for dessert, either. Stick to frequent sips of liquid and small amounts of food at a time.
How Long Does The Stomach Flu Last How Can I Treat It
Stomach flu symptoms usually last 1 to 3 days. Since the stomach flu is a virus and not a bacterial infection, current medicine cant fix the fluit has to get better on its own.
But theres something you or your family can do to feel better in the meantime. Intense diarrhea and vomiting can dehydrate you, which, on top of stomach flu symptoms, can make you or your little one feel even worse. See the Lyte and rehydrate with Pedialyte to feel better fast.
But because it can be brought on by several different viruses throughout the year, stomach flu can hit at any time.
* Mild to moderate dehydration.
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How Can I Take Care Of Myself
- Rest your stomach and intestines by following the suggested guidelines for your diet during the illness, but make sure you prevent dehydration by drinking enough liquids. Drink just small amounts or sips while you are having vomiting.
- Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines without checking first with your healthcare provider.
- Your symptoms are getting worse.
- You keep having severe symptoms for more than 1 or 2 days, or you are just not getting better after a few days.
- You start having symptoms that are not usually caused by stomach flu, such as blood in your vomit, bloody diarrhea, or severe abdominal pain.
How To Get Rid Of A Stomach Virus
Basic infection prevention steps can be completed in order to get rid of a stomach virus.
- Hand hygiene
- Avoiding close contact with someone who has the virus
- Disinfecting hard surfaces such as counters, faucets, and doorknobs
- Use separate rooms for changing diapers or preparing food at a childcare center
- Get your child vaccinated against rotavirus to decrease the severity of symptoms if caught
- If traveling, drink only well-sealed bottled water
- Avoid raw foods that have been touched by human hands
- Avoid undercooked meat or fish
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