Stomach flu or viral gastroenteritis is an infection in which the virus attacks your intestines. Often it enters your body because of consuming contaminated food. When you eat something that is not cooked under hygienic conditions or not kept in cold and right conditions, it may transmit stomach infections to you.
Generally, stomach flu is treated well. But if you do not get the treatment at the right time, it can lead to complications such as dehydration. It can become a life-threatening complication because your body does not have enough water content, and it can result in low blood pressure or shock. Therefore treating the condition as soon as possible is essential.
Often many people do not take it seriously. They think that it may subsidize on its own. But you should not do this. You cannot predict when your body is going towards dehydration. Therefore getting the treatment soon is a must. If you want to seek professional help, you can visit the Best Gastroenterologist in Lahore.
What Are The Symptoms of Stomach Flu?
Stomach flu is different from flu (influenza) which affects the respiratory tract. Also known as gastroenteritis, it causes symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract, such as;
- Watery diarrhea is usually non-bloody
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever is often low grade
- Muscle aches
- Headache
Here, we will tell you tips to prevent stomach flu.
Get Your Child Vaccinated
Getting your child vaccinated against rotavirus- a common cause of stomach infections can help prevent them. It is given in the first year of birth. So if your child is near her first birthday and has a complaint of recurrent stomach infections, it is always a good idea to get them vaccinated.
Wash Your Hands Properly
Washing hands properly means washing them with water and antibacterial soap for at least twenty to thirty seconds. You should especially do that after changing the diaper and before making their food. Moreover, if the child is older enough to wash hands, ask them to wash them frequently.
If you do not have a washing soap and water available, you can keep a sanitizer or a sanitizing wipe that can help cleanse the hands.
Use Separate Towels
People do not realize the vitality of using separate towels. But you must know that it can become a very good medium transmission. When one person wipes their hands, the towel may contain germs. But when the second person wipes the hands with the same towel, the germs may be transmitted to the other person.
Therefore make sure that everyone in your house has separate towels so that the germs do not spread.
Use Separate Utensils
Many people often share utensils and cutlery. But to prevent stomach flu, it is better to keep them separate.
Safe Food Preparation
When preparing food, do that safely. Firstly wash your hands with antibacterial soap and water. Then do not forget to wash fruits and vegetables with running water. Moreover, do not cook when you are sick. It is better to take an off from the kitchen and ask some healthy person to take the duties.
Disinfect The Surfaces
If someone in your house has got viral gastroenteritis, disinfect the high-touch surfaces such as switchboards, doorknobs, and keys with a disinfectant.
Keep The Distance
If someone in your house has got an infection, keep a distance from them. However, you can take care of the person having viral gastroenteritis. Make sure to wash your hands before you eat something, or cook a meal. That should be your routine in every case.
Avoid Touching Laundry That Is Infected
If someone has got viral gastroenteritis, keep their laundry separate. Do not touch it with bare hands. Instead, wear gloves and then touch them. Put beddings in the hot water and use a disinfectant to wash them.
Stomach flu needs to be treated on time. Sometimes, it can lead to complications such as dehydration that can become life-threatening. Therefore you should visit the healthcare provider soon to prevent complications. Especially, if stomach flu occurs in an infant, it could be life-threatening. You must not take it lightly. To get an expert opinion, you can visit the Best Gastroenterologist in Karachi.
