Gastric Flue: 12 things we need to know

Gastrointestinal flu has received so many names in the people that they can not be counted. It is also called intestinal, and abdominal, and gastric flu, although in fact it is not even the flu at all. The real name of this disease is gastroenteritis, or rotaviroz. What do we need to know about such a popular ailment in order to recover in time and competently?

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Fact number 1. In fact, gastric flu is a norovirus

Stop blaming the stomach flu in your condition, and instead learn the true name of your problem: norovirus. It belongs to a family of viruses that cause gastroenteritis, although it can also be caused by an adenovirus and an astrovirus. But rotavirus infection is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis, especially in newborns, the elderly and young children.

Norovirus can spread like wildfire in any crowded place, causing outbreaks in kindergartens, schools, hospitals and offices.

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Fact number 2. Vaccination against influenza in this case will not help

When people say "stomach flu", they mean the flu virus that circulates in the environment and attacks the person every year through the nose and throat. Immunizations from influenza can protect against this virus, but not from the one that causes viral gastroenteritis.

The confusion between ordinary and gastric flu can be associated with some symptoms characteristic of both diseases. For example, it may be aches and pain throughout the body, nausea, subfebrile temperature, headache and muscle pain.

But among the symptoms of ordinary flu, there is no such thing as abdominal pain (at least in adults).

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Fact number 3. It's very contagious!

Gastric flu spreads "fecal-oral route," which is just as dangerous as the airborne pathway that spreads the common flu. Basically, the viruses of the gastric flu enter the body with infected feces or vomiting. Constant and thorough hand washing is the best defense against gastroenteritis.

Wash your hands especially carefully if you are changing diapers or cleaning for a sick child, and adults in the family should constantly clean up for themselves and observe personal hygiene.

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Fact number 4. You can get stomach flu with food

Viral gastroenteritis is not exactly the same as food poisoning that can occur due to any disease caused by industrial pollutants, including dangerous toxins of bacteria such as salmonella. But norovirus is the number one cause among all foodborne diseases.

Viral gastroenteritis can be transmitted from person to person or from touching a contaminated surface. But you can also get viral gastroenteritis from sewage, contaminated food or water, or dishes cooked or processed by an infected person. Hence all these inscriptions "wash your hands" in the restaurants and bathrooms of the hotels.

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Fact number 5. Viruses that cause gastric flu are more hardy than common flu viruses

Compared to other viruses, noroviruses can be surprisingly hardy and stay alive for several days. They remain on household surfaces even after harvesting, so they easily spread. Even small amounts of viruses can cause infection.

To avoid infection with the intestinal virus, wash your hands with soap and water, which are more effective than hand sanitizers. Avoid cooking if you are sick (you can be contagious for 3 days or more after the disappearance of flu or gastroenteritis symptoms). Wash the laundry gently, using gloves to avoid getting stomach flu through contaminated clothing and bedding.

Use detergents based on environmentally friendly substances to kill the virus on hard surfaces.

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Fact number 6. Symptoms of gastric flu occur slowly

Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain will not appear in you immediately after the viruses have reached the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of gastric flu usually develop gradually, within one or two days.

But other types of food poisoning can manifest quickly and hard - just a few hours after you ate something stale. Their symptoms are usually more severe, for example, such as abrupt and prolonged vomiting and diarrhea.

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Fact number 7. Gastric influenza passes by itself

Both diseases - and gastric flu, other types of food poisoning - are what doctors call "self-restraint", that is, these diseases go by themselves and rarely require treatment.

You should know that norovirus is the main cause of foodborne illness, but salmonella and other pathogens can lead to hospitalization or death.

If you have viral gastroenteritis, you should begin to feel better after two or three days of the course of the disease. And food poisoning is caused by other causes - it affects you more and faster, but it goes faster, and you can return to normal working mode in a day or two.

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Fact number 8. Dehydration is the biggest risk in stomach flu

It goes without saying that if you lose a lot of fluid due to watery diarrhea and vomiting, you need to drink fluids. But, apart from the liquid, you also lose sodium, potassium and other minerals known as electrolytes, and they also need to be replenished with the right diet. To replenish the reserves of potassium in the body, you need to eat rice porridge on the water and bananas - they have a lot of potassium.

If you have severe diarrhea, you should drink oral solutions with electrolytes containing salts and sugars, as well as water. Energy drinks (especially for those who are fond of sports) are not the best choice, because they contain an incorrect mixture of salt and sugar in terms of replacing lost fluid.

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Fact number 9. With gastric flu, carbonated water is not the best choice

Try to avoid drinking too much sugary soda or drinks, such as juice, which contains a lot of sugar. The exception is the orange juice shown during dehydration. The biggest mistake that people with gastric flu do is just try to drink a lot of soda water. They understand that they need to drink something to prevent themselves from dehydration, but do it wrong.

It is not advisable to consume dairy products, for example, kefir and yoghurts, milk, because the milk protein virus will convert to a toxin, and your condition will only get worse. It is also not advisable to use soda to eat bread and sweets, which are very poorly digested and digested.

If you lost a lot of water, you need to drink decoctions of chamomile, mineral water without gas, green tea, blueberry jelly.

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Fact number 10. Do not treat gastric flu with antibiotics

Many mistakenly think that with gastric flu, antibiotics are always necessary. But in fact there is no treatment for viral gastroenteritis other than time and relief of symptoms. Antibiotics in this case are useless, so do not be surprised if the doctor does not recommend them.

But with gastric flu, antidiarrheal drugs are shown, which can also help to ease spasms and diarrhea. But you should avoid them if you have bloody diarrhea and fever, as this can lead to worsening of symptoms.

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Fact number 11. Children and the elderly, as well as pregnant women, are at greatest risk

In children of younger preschool and school age, the immune system is still weak enough to deal with viral infections, in addition, with gastric flu, children and the elderly are at greater risk of dehydration. Elderly people are more likely with viral gastroenteritis, and recovery from illness takes more time.

Anyone with chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, asthma, cancer or kidney disease, people who are HIV-positive or taking medications that suppress the immune system, should definitely consult with a doctor before taking anything from an upset stomach.

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Fact number 12. Do not rush on your way to recovery

When vomiting and diarrhea cease, you, of course, will feel very hungry. But you do not have to pounce on food, but wait a few days before arranging a banquet. Eat small portions and drink in smaller amounts. If you overload the stomach, you will too soon feel sick again. So do not include so far in the diet of fatty foods and allow time for the stomach to digest food.

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When should I see a doctor if you have stomach flu?

If you see blood in a stool or vomiting, consult a doctor. Diarrhea itself is not a cause for anxiety, but call your doctor if you experience extreme lethargy, confusion, or a change in your mental state, or lack of urine (or urine is dark and concentrated). All these are signs of severe dehydration.

In addition, you need medical help if you do not get better after three days of illness, you have a prolonged vomiting that does not allow the use of liquid in normal portions, or if the temperature has risen above 38 degrees Celsius.

Gastrointestinal flu is a rather dangerous disease, in which it is necessary to properly treat. And then you will recover very quickly.