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What is Stomach Flu?
Stomach Flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is a relatively common condition that occurs when the stomach and intestines become inflamed due to infection by viruses, bacteria or parasites. The resulting symptoms are stomach pain, nausea and diarrhoea.
Stomach Flu Symptoms
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis or stomach flu can appear within minutes after consumption of the contaminated food. It may also take up to 1 day to show the symptoms when the infectious agent is present in the food. The main signs and symptoms indicative of gastroenteritis are:
- Intense and sudden diarrhoea
- General malaise
- Stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
Other symptoms include low-grade fever and headache.
What Causes Stomach Flu?
Most often, gastroenteritis is caused by eating spoiled or contaminated food, but it can also occur after close contact with another person with gastroenteritis or by putting your hands in your mouth after touching a contaminated surface.
Types of Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis can be divided into a few different types. These include:
Viral Gastroenteritis
- Viral gastroenteritis is the most common type, often affecting children. It is caused by infection with viruses that affect the digestive tract.
- The most common cause of this type of gastroenteritis is rotavirus.
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
- Bacterial gastroenteritis is caused by bacteria. It is more common in adults than the viral form because, at this stage of life, people usually have already developed immunity to the main viral infections that cause gastroenteritis.
- It is usually contracted through contaminated food, often E. coli, although this is not the only bacterium capable of causing the disease.
Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis
The main characteristic of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis is intestinal bleeding. In humans, it is usually caused by the bacterial form, specifically due to E. coli bacteria.
How to Diagnose Stomach Flu?
- Diagnosis is usually clinical, with stool examination which determines the causative virus. Although the pathology is not fatal in itself, the dehydration it produces
- If sufficient fluids are not ingested, can be fatal; this is why the specialist will normally look for signs of dehydration, like dry mouth, dark yellow urine, sunken eyes, low blood pressure, sunken spots on the head (in the case of babies), confusion, and dizziness.
- Gastroenteritis usually disappears in a few days without the need for treatment. However, it is very important to see a specialist if symptoms of dehydration occur.
Stomach Flu Treatment
- Gastroenteritis requires dietary rest and water and electrolyte replacement with oral fluids. If a pharmacy or health centre is not available, water with bicarbonate and salt can be used to replace all the fluid lost through vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Generally speaking, no medication is required because gastroenteritis usually clears up spontaneously. Antibiotics are only useful if the cause is bacteria, but they are not even applied in all cases because they can affect the bacterial flora (microbiota).
- Anti-vomiting drugs (antiemetics) are of very limited effectiveness in cases of gastroenteritis or stomach flu.
- Some specialists recommend probiotic preparations, which may help to shorten the duration of diarrhoea.
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Book an AppointmentPrecautions
- One of the most important precautions during gastroenteritis is to drink plenty of liquids, as vomiting and intense diarrhoea can occur, and it is normal to have loss of body water, which can lead to dehydration.
- In addition, one should also eat a light diet to allow the gastrointestinal system to rest and recover.
- Get the best treatment for stomach flu or any condition related to your digestive system from the best gastroenterologists or General Physicians of Medicover Hospital.
Home Remedies for Stomach Flu
- When battling the stomach flu, hydration is key. Drink clear fluids like water, herbal teas, and electrolyte solutions to stay hydrated.
- Eat bland foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet) to ease digestion. Ginger tea or peppermint can help soothe nausea.
- Rest is crucial to allow your body to recover, and consider probiotics to help restore gut health.
Stomach Flu vs. Food Poisoning
| Factor | Stomach Flu | Food Poisoning |
| Cause | Viral infection | Contaminated food or water |
| Onset of Symptoms | Gradual | Sudden, often within hours of eating |
| Symptoms | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain |
| Duration | Typically 1-3 days, can last up to 10 days | Usually a few hours to a few days |
| Treatment | Hydration, rest, BRAT diet, ginger tea, probiotics | Hydration, rest, avoiding contaminated food, sometimes antibiotics |
| Prevention | Good hygiene, avoiding sick individuals | Proper food handling and storage |
Frequently Asked Questions
You can get stomach flu by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus, or by eating contaminated food or water.
Yes, stomach flu is highly contagious and can spread easily from person to person.
Stomach flu usually lasts from a few days to about a week, depending on the severity.
Yes, most cases of stomach flu can be treated with rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and sometimes over-the-counter medications.
It's best to eat bland foods like toast, crackers, bananas, and rice until your stomach feels better.
Washing your hands often, avoiding close contact with sick people, and practicing good hygiene can help prevent stomach flu.
You should see a doctor if you have severe symptoms, can't keep fluids down, have blood in your vomit or stool, or if symptoms last longer than a week.
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