What is the Stomach Flu?
Many people are suffering from symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, occasional muscle aches, headache, and a low-grade fever. But it's not, like many think, the stomach flu.
Recently, an email popped into my inbox. The reader had been suffering bouts of diarrhea and vomiting for more than a week…and asked if I could write about the stomach flu.
I can relate to her angst. Some type of stomach bug was passing through my household about a month ago, and the thought of food was so unappealing that it was tough to muster up an appetite for anything more than ginger ale and saltines. Weakness, cramps, muscle aches and extreme fatigue made it feel just like the flu - only it wasn’t.
There’s no such thing as a stomach flu. There’s only one kind of flu, and that’s the kind that messes with your upper respiratory system – your nose, throat, and lungs – causing a different kind of distress, like coughing, sneezing, congestion, fever, chills, aches and pains.
I’m happy to report we are all back to eating our normal diets. Our taste buds have returned to their once-robust state (although at times it felt like they never would).
So, what is going on when you can’t eat, have diarrhea and/or vomiting, and your taste buds feel “off?”
The correct term for that is “viral gastroenteritis.”
Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis may appear within one to three days after you’re infected and run the gamut from mild to severe, lasting just a day or two - although sometimes they may last as long as 10 days.
How do you catch viral gastroenteritis? Usually when you eat or drink contaminated food or water, or share utensils, towels or food with someone who is infected. Older adults (whose immune systems are naturally less efficient with age, or anyone with a weakened immune system is particularly at risk.
Since the main complication of viral gastroenteritis is dehydration, it’s imperative to remember to drink a lot to replenish the fluids you’re losing through vomiting and diarrhea.
Here are other steps you should take while you’re suffering from vomiting and diarrhea:
Give your stomach time to settle down. Take a break from eating solid foods for a few hours.
Suck on ice chips or take small sips of water. Clear soda, clear broths or non-caffeinated sports drinks can help replenish lost fluids. Try to drink plenty of liquid every day; take small, frequent sips.
Take your time. Ease back into eating with bland, easy-to-digest foods like soda crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, rice, and chicken. Listen to your body and stop eating if your nausea returns.
Stay away from certain foods and substances until you feel better. Dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned food can be especially irritating while your stomach returns to normal.
Rest up. The illness and dehydration can make you feel weak and tired. Listen to - and honor - what your body is telling you it needs.
Watch your medications. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), should be used sparingly - if at all, since they can make your stomach more upset. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) sparingly; it sometimes can cause liver toxicity.
And now, some practical advice:
Aside from lots of hand-washing, keep your distance from people who are infected.
And this may bring back memories of early COVID, but make sure to disinfect things like doorknobs, counters, and faucets with a mixture of two cups of bleach dissolved in one gallon of water.
Where possible, avoid sharing items like cups, plates, and eating utensils.
When do you need to see your doctor? You don’t if it’s a run-of-the-mill type of thing.
But…you should check in with a healthcare professional if:
You can’t keep liquids down for 24 hours.
You’ve been vomiting for more than two days (or you’re vomiting blood).
You notice blood in your bowel movements.
You’re dehydrated (signs include dry mouth, excessive thirst, severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness, or deep yellow or little or no urine).
Your fever climbs above 104 degrees F.
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Until next time…stay healthy, well-thy and wise, and thank you for being here! xoSheryl
Great post! Such clear information and advice!