Nobody likes getting sick, especially when it’s stomach flu: the fever, nausea, chills, diarrhoea, and the aches and pains add up to an awful feeling.
The mere thought of contracting the virus may make you want to stay at home if there’s a bug going around.
Stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, can be caused by a number of different viruses that attack the gastrointestinal tract. They can be contracted from food that was inadequately prepared, or due to poor hand-washing hygiene.
People suffering from the condition often have symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, fever, headache, and sore muscles. Depending on the type of virus the flu can last from one to 10 days.
There are however remedies that may help provide relief from the most distressing symptoms.
First and foremost, if you have stomach flu, your body needs rest in order to fight off the virus. You’ll need to get plenty of sleep and reduce the number of activities you normally do during the day. This means lounging on the couch when you’re not in bed. Remember, you’re not being lazy. While you’re lying down, your body is working hard to fight off the virus and repair cellular damage.
Fluids are important. Make sure you drink plenty of liquids, especially if you have a fever or are vomiting. It’s very easy to become dehydrated when you have stomach flu. Clear liquids, such as water and soup are the best to consume. Older children and adults can also have sports drinks to help with electrolyte replacement.
If you are having trouble keeping liquids down, try taking small sips at regular intervals.
Some beverages may exacerbate your symptoms or nausea. You should avoid any caffeinated drinks, alcohol and soda as it can potentially upset your stomach.
If you have diarrhoea, avoid juices because they can make the symptoms worse. Keeping food down can be difficult. If you can eat, stick to plain food like crackers, cereal, toast, rice, and potatoes. Small amounts of yogurt, bananas, and fresh apples can also help with diarrhoea. Don’t force yourself to eat if eating makes you feel nauseated.
You should also avoid eating foods with caffeine, dairy products, spicy foods, and high-fat foods. These may aggravate your stomach. You can take medication, but you should do so sparingly.
If you have a fever, headache, or muscle aches, painkillers can help, as long as it doesn’t upset your stomach. Before taking any medication it is important to talk to your health-care provider. If you are seeking relief from nausea or diarrhoea, there are some medications that your doctor can prescribe to ease your symptoms. Check with your health-care provider before trying over-the-counter medication.
Symptoms appear one to three days after exposure to the virus. You are contagious before you even begin to develop symptoms. Even after you’ve recovered from your symptoms, you can remain contagious for up to two weeks. Children can remain contagious for an even longer period afterwards.
If possible, avoid close contact with infected people. Do not share food with infected people, and wash hands frequently. Having the stomach flu can make you feel miserable.
If you do get it, these tips can help reduce some of the misery.
Source: www.healthline.com
