Stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis, is caused by a virus and affects the stomach and small intestine. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, chills, and fever. It is spread through bodily fluids and can be present in the body before symptoms appear. Treatment involves resting the digestive system and staying hydrated with clear liquids.
The stomach flu is an infection caused by a virus. Medically called viral gastroenteritis, it affects both the stomach and the small intestine. This disease is not related to the flu at all, despite the similar common name, and is not caused by any particular virus. The name is simply used as a catch-all phrase to describe nearly any viral disease affecting the digestive system.
The most common symptoms of stomach flu are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Often, a person with this condition will also have stomach cramps and chills, and a low-grade fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and body aches are also common symptoms of stomach viruses. Symptoms may develop gradually over many hours or may begin quite suddenly; generally, symptoms last one to three days. Stomach flu is diagnosed based on a health care professional’s review of a patient’s symptoms; Lab tests may also be administered to make sure a more serious disease isn’t responsible, as well as to look for more serious complications.
Causes of stomach flu include rotaviruses, adenoviruses, and Norwalk virus. The viruses are contained in the bodily fluids of infected individuals and can spread whenever these fluids are ingested by someone else. For example, an individual can get it by kissing or sharing food or eating utensils with an infected person. People can even get it by shaking hands with an infected individual or by touching a surface that person has also touched, and then eating without properly washing their hands.
The virus can be present in the body even before symptoms appear and can spread without the knowledge of the carrier. Once an uninfected person encounters the bodily fluids of an infected individual and ingests the virus, the problems begin. The virus travels to the stomach and intestines, causing inflammation in both places. This temporarily impairs the function of these organs and the symptoms become noticeable and unpleasant.
Treatment for the stomach flu primarily involves resting the digestive system. This means avoiding solid foods for a period of time and keeping yourself hydrated with clear liquids. Once the vomiting is under control, bland, bland foods can be eaten. If vomiting is frequent, patients should drink only small sips of water. While it’s important to stay hydrated while battling the stomach flu, too much liquid at once can cause vomiting to increase.
Water is generally a good choice to keep hydrated during the stomach flu, although an electrolyte replacement drink may be a better idea if the vomiting has continued for an extended period of time. Weak tea can also be consumed, and some people find that drinking flat, decaffeinated soda can help relieve nausea. Patients should usually avoid milk, citrus juice, caffeine, and carbonated drinks while they’re sick, or they risk making their digestive problems worse.
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