You may be familiar with the flu and often have such conditions. But have you ever heard about stomach flu? Did you know such conditions occur, and it’s not just a funny term? Stomach flu is the term that commonly describes the term Gastroenteritis. It is not the same as the ordinary seasonal flu, a viral infection that occurs due to influenza.
The germs or microorganisms present in the stomach are why this condition occurs. It could be a virus or a bacteria that causes stomach flu. Vomiting and emesis are the most prevalent outcomes of this issue. Let’s learn more in detail about this unique type of flu.
Gastroenteritis or Stomach Flu
Stomach flu (gastroenteritis) is a term used to describe a wide range of gastrointestinal (GI) tract inflammation. The duration of severe viral gastroenteritis might be a few weeks or months. Chronic gastroenteritis that persists for a longer duration can result from various food allergies.
Symptoms
As soon as it strikes, you may be completely unable to function and miserable (i.e., lying on the washroom floor within the persistent range of the toilet or sink).
Initial symptoms are:
- Cold
- Shivers
- Fever
- Nausea
Afterward you may experience severe emesis and diarrhea. It’s horrible, and there’s no way to stop it. For stomach flu to go away, it must be given time.
It damages the enterocytes, the cells that line the intestine, resulting in malabsorption. In addition to causing loose, watery stools, the virus can interfere with the body’s ability to reabsorb water.
You may also get dehydrated as a result of diarrhea and emesis. Dehydration can manifest as dry skin, dry mouth, dizziness, and a strong need to drink fluids. Consult with a top Gastroenterologist if you experience any of the above symptoms.
Causes
Stomach flu can spread as:
- Connection with a virus-carrying individual
- Food or water that contains the infectious virus
- Not washing your hands properly.
A virus is the primary reason for stomach flu. Both rotaviruses and noroviruses are the usual kinds.
Bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli, which are less prevalent, can also be the reason for stomach flu.
Food and waterborne illness are most commonly transmitted from person to person by eating or drinking infected food or drink.
Gastroenteritis can also occur by parasites. However, this is uncommon. Drinking unclean water or swimming in contaminated pools might expose you to parasites.
Other methods of getting the stomach flu include:
- Water that contains certain metals such as arsenic, mercury, etc.
- Citric acid-rich meals
- Certain types of seafood may have harmful toxins.
- Antibiotics, antacids, laxatives, and chemotherapy medicines are all medications.
Treatment
The individuals with viral stomach flu don’t need any medical intervention and recover on their own in most cases. To treat viral stomach flu, you can rebalance lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. OTC medications may be able to alleviate some of your outcomes.
A limited diet does not assist cure viral gastroenteritis, according to research. Viral gastroenteritis can cause nausea and vomiting and a temporary loss of appetite.
RehydratIon
- To avoid dehydration or treat moderate dehydration caused by viral gastroenteritis, you must rehydrate yourself with fluids and electrolytes. Drink a lot of water to rebalance the fluids.
- Sporting drinks and fruit juices are examples of beverages.
- Saltine crackers are another excellent source of electrolytes to replenish.
- Children with viral gastroenteritis should be given an oral rehydration solution to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. These drinks, which contain glucose and electrolytes, are oral rehydration solutions. Consult a physician before using these remedies for your kid. Newborns should continue to consume formula or breast milk as normal.
- Oral rehydration solutions should also be taken by older people, persons with compromised immune systems, and adults with severe diarrhea or indications of dehydration.
OTC Drugs
Bismuth subsalicylate and Loperamide can treat diarrhea.
These drugs may pose a risk to children and newborns. Don’t use OTC drugs to treat diarrhea if you have blood in it or fever, which indicate illnesses with parasites or bacteria.
Preventive Measures
To avoid contracting or transmitting the viruses that cause gastroenteritis, you can take many preventative measures. Use soap and water to clean your hands thoroughly:
- After using the toilet
- Before handling any food or drink-related items.
- Before Eating or preparing meal
- After diaper changes
Bleach can disinfect worktops and changing tables that have come into contact with contaminated feces or vomit, such as 5 to 25 teaspoons per gallon.
Wear rubber gloves while handling filthy clothing and wash your hands afterward to prevent infection.
For the duration of your illness and for two days after you feel well, avoid handling or preparing food.
Stomach flu patients can transmit the virus to any meal they eat, especially if they don’t wash their hands well. A virus can also be transferred to foods before being harvested via contaminated water.
Before cooking oysters and other shellfish, wash them thoroughly and adequately cook them.
The flu vaccination does not provide protection for viral stomach flu. Although sometimes called “stomach flu”, influenza viruses are not the cause of viral stomach flu as some believe. On the other hand, Rotavirus vaccinations can prevent viral gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus infection.
Consult a Specialist if your symptoms don’t seem to go away. If you feel lazy about finding the right doctor, you can visit Marham. Here you can easily find the best specialist in your region. Follow the few easy steps and book an appointment with the Gastroenterologist through Marham.
FAQs
1. What is the duration of stomach flu?
Signs of viral stomach flu can range from light to serious within 1-3 days following contamination. For the most part, symptoms only last a few days, but they can sometimes linger up to fourteen days.
2. When you have stomach flu, what foods should you avoid?
You should avoid certain food until you feel good. Dairy products, caffeine, processed meals, nicotine, alcoholic beverages, and fatty, spicy, or highly seasoned dishes fall into this category.
3. What are the possible reasons for stomach flu?
The viruses that result in stomach flu are spread by close connection with sick people, like when they eat or share food or utensils, by touching surfaces and objects that have been contaminated. Norovirus can also be caused by eating contaminated food.
