The dreaded “stomach flu,” known by the scientific community as viral gastroenteritis, can strike at any time, leaving us feeling weak and distressed. But hold up! Contrary to its popular nickname, it’s not the flu at all. While it shares a name with influenza, the two illnesses couldn’t be more different in terms of symptoms and treatment plans. Let’s break down the mystery of the stomach flu and discover ways to soothe it.
A Peek Inside the Stomach Flu
While influenza primarily affects your respiratory system, encompassing your nose, throat, and lungs, the stomach flu is an entirely different beast. As infectious diseases, expert Dr. Hana Hakim from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital clarifies, the stomach flu is an infection that targets your gut and intestines.
The prime culprit behind this intestinal invasion is often from the norovirus family, which is usually contracted through tainted food, water, or direct human contact. Consequently, practicing diligent hand hygiene is your first line of defense against the stomach flu.
Recognizing the Red Flags
If you’re unfortunate enough to contract the stomach flu, expect symptoms like watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, vomiting, nausea, and a low-grade fever. These discomforts typically surface one to three days post-infection, ranging from mild to severe. They’re typically short-lived, lasting a few days, but for some, they might persist for up to ten days.
However, Dr. Hakim reveals a disappointing truth: “There is no antiviral treatment for these viruses,” and antibiotics won’t help either. In fact, using antibiotics can potentially contribute to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, so they’re a no-go for treating the stomach flu.
Comforting the Stomach Flu: Self-care Strategies
The good news is, while the stomach flu can be draining, it’s typically a self-limiting condition, which means recovery usually happens naturally over time. But that doesn’t mean you’re left entirely at its mercy. There are several steps you can take to alleviate the discomfort and speed up the healing process.
Dr. Hakim advises adopting supportive care strategies, including adequate hydration. It’s particularly vital for those struck with stomach flu, especially children, to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration. However, sugary drinks such as juice or soda should be sidestepped as they can worsen diarrhea.
The Mayo Clinic recommends ample rest and a mild diet to help your body recover. Easy-to-digest foods such as chicken, rice, crackers, toast, gelatin, and bananas can be beneficial. On the flip side, dairy products, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, fatty foods, and cigarettes should be avoided.
When to Seek Professional Help
While most bouts of stomach flu can be managed at home, certain situations call for medical attention. Adults should contact their healthcare provider if they’ve been vomiting for more than 48 hours, see blood in their vomit, become severely dehydrated, or develop a high fever.
For children, parents should seek medical assistance if the child’s fever exceeds 102 degrees Fahrenheit, if they become lethargic or excessively irritable, if they’re in significant pain or discomfort if their diarrhea contains blood, or if they show signs of severe dehydration.
Indications of dehydration in adults include excessive thirst, dry mouth, infrequent or dark-colored urine, dry skin, fatigue, and dizziness. In children, dehydration may be signaled by crying without tears, extreme sleepiness, sunken eyes, irritability, and no wet diapers for three hours or more.
While the stomach flu can be an unpleasant ordeal, remember that with patience, proper self-care, and a little understanding of the condition, you can emerge victorious. After all, what doesn’t defeat you only makes you stronger, and that includes the pesky stomach flu.
