Treatment for Stomach Flu

Stomach flu is a gastrointestinal problem, which can be caused by virus, bacteria or other parasites. Here is some information about treatment for stomach flu.

Stomach flu, also referred to as gastroenteritis, is characterized by inflammation of the stomach and intestines, especially the small intestine. It is caused by pathogens or disease-causing organisms such as virus (e.g. norovirus, adenovirus, rotavirus, calicivirus), bacteria (e.g. salmonella, Escherichia coli) and other parasites (e.g. giardia, cryptosporidium) present in the food or drinking water. People who have problems in digesting dairy products (lactose intolerant) can also suffer from gastrointestinal irritation after consuming milk or other dairy products.

Symptoms of stomach flu varies based on the organism that causes the condition. In case, the causal organism is virus, a patient suffers from frequent watery stools; whereas, in bacterial case, there is presence of blood in the vomit or stools. In adults, the most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach and abdominal pain. At times, these symptoms may be accompanied with swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, fever and headache. In children, the notable symptoms of stomach flu are pale skin, dehydration and fatigue. Let's take a look at the treatment options for stomach flu.

Treatment for Stomach Flu

Treatment of stomach flu depends on the causal organism. Hence, proper diagnosis of the disease is essential for obtaining correct treatment methods. Stomach flu is diagnosed based on the symptoms and physical examination of the patient. The doctor may conduct certain laboratory tests like stool analysis to rule out other health conditions.

There is no effective cure for stomach flu. Usually, symptoms of stomach flu lasts for about 2 - 4 days. Though, symptoms resolve without taking any specific treatments and there are no long-term health effects, it takes about 2 weeks for the bowel system to return to normal conditions. Hence, proper supportive care should be taken to avoid certain health complications. Antibiotics may not be effective for treatment of stomach flu caused by virus.

The best treatment options for stomach flu is to rest the stomach and intestines, until symptoms improve to normal conditions. This can be achieved by following clear liquid diets like drinking adequate amount of water and other fruit juices. Drinking lots of water will also help in keeping the body well hydrated and prevent from dehydration, which is a common complication of stomach flu. In case of vomiting, frequent intake of liquid foods in small quantities is advisable, rather than consuming large servings. To get relief from body aches, the doctor may prescribe over-the-counter pain killers.

When there is no stomach upset, one can start consuming soft bland foods like noodles, banana and toast. These foods allow easy digestion, thus reducing pressure in the stomach and intestines. As soon as the symptoms are treated completely, one can switch on to the regular diet plan. It is to be noted that pregnant women, children, elderly persons and those with a compromised immune system are at a higher risk to stomach flu.

In order to prevent stomach flu, one should follow personal hygiene and cleanliness. Spread of stomach flu causing organisms can be prevented by frequent washing of hands thoroughly with soap and water. One should not share clothes and foods with an infected person, as stomach flu can spread easily with direct contact or through body fluids like saliva or sweat.