Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Assess your illness
• Method 2 of 3: Treat the symptoms
• Method 3 of 3: Make you feel better
• Tips
• Warnings

Gastroenteritis, more commonly known as stomach flu, can make you feel very sick for several days. It is usually not fatal, but recovery can be very difficult if not treated properly. If you want to recover as soon as possible, you need to take steps to control symptoms, hydrate yourself well and get plenty of rest.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Assess your illness

1. Understand the symptoms of stomach flu. This disease affects all parts of the digestive system. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and general malaise. You can have any or all of the symptoms when you have stomach flu.
   • The disease passes on its own, which means that the virus is usually over after 2-3 days. So you usually don't have the symptoms for more than a week.
2. Understand how the disease spreads. The disease is spread by contact with an infected person, by eating food that the sick person has prepared, or by touching objects (such as the toilet doorknob) that have just been touched by a sick person. This leaves germs behind which can then be picked up by others.
3. Assess if you have stomach flu. Have you been in contact with someone else who had stomach flu? Do you have one or more stomach flu symptoms? If your symptoms are mild to moderate nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, you probably have some form of stomach flu caused by the three most common viral germs: norovirus, rotavirus, or adenovirus.
   • If you have this form of stomach flu, medical treatment is usually not necessary, except in two cases: if you have severe abdominal pain, or abdominal pain that is clearly localized (which may indicate appendicitis, inflammation of the pancreas, or other serious condition), or if you have signs of severe dehydration such as fainting or feeling light-headed, especially on standing, or a fast heart rate.
   • In children, signs of dehydration include reduced tear production, less wet diapers, a collapsed fontanelle and less elastic skin (if you squeeze the skin, it does not spring back).
4. Contact your doctor if you feel seriously ill or if it lasts a long time. This is especially important if the symptoms don't get better over time. Call the doctor or go to the GP post if you suffer from the following symptoms:
   • Vomiting more often or constantly, for longer than a day
   • Fever higher than 38.5ºC
   • Diarrhea longer than 2 days
   • Weight loss
   • Reduced urine output
   • Confusion
   • Weakness
5. Know when to go to the emergency room. Dehydration can be a serious problem. If you experience the following symptoms of severe dehydration, go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately.
   • Fever higher than 39.5 ºC
   • Confusion
   • Slowness (lethargy)
   • Seizures
   • Difficulty breathing
   • Chestpain
   • Pass out
   • Have not urinated in the last 12 hours
6. Be aware that dehydration is even more dangerous for some people. Babies and toddlers are at increased risk, as are diabetics, the elderly and people with HIV. Babies and children are more likely to become severely dehydrated than adults. If you suspect your child is becoming dehydrated, get help immediately. Common symptoms include:
   • Dark urine
   • Mouth and eyes are drier than usual
   • No tears when it cries
7. Try to avoid infecting others. Wash your hands often. Prevent stomach flu from spreading throughout your household by washing your hands all the time. Research has shown that you should use regular soap (no antibacterial soap) and warm water, and wash your hands for 15-30 seconds for it to be really effective.
   • Don't touch people if you don't have to. Avoid unnecessary hugging, kissing, and handshaking.
   • Try not to touch surfaces that are frequently touched such as door knobs, the toilet sink knob or kitchen cupboards. Put the sleeve of your shirt over your hand, or put a tissue between it.
   • Sneeze or cough into your elbow. Bend your arm and hold it in front of your face so that your nose and mouth are hidden in the crease of your elbow. This prevents the germs from getting on your hands, which can make you more likely to spread them.
   • Wash your hands or use a disinfectant regularly. If you just vomited, sneezed, or otherwise touched bodily fluids, disinfect your hands.
8. Keep infected children separate. Children should be kept at home from school or daycare so that they do not spread the infection. Anyone who has stomach flu can also transmit the virus through their stools, so until they no longer have diarrhea, they should stay away from others.
   • When the diarrhea is over, your child can go back to school, because then it is no longer contagious. The school may want a note from the doctor stating that the child is cured. Ask at school what the policy is.

Method 2 of 3: Treat the symptoms

1. Treat nausea. Focus on keeping liquids in. If you keep vomiting, you should especially try to reduce the nausea and stop the vomiting. Without fluids, you can become dehydrated and recover less quickly.
   • Many people drink soft drinks such as lime or lemon lemonade to combat the nausea. Others swear by ginger to help curb nausea.
2. Treat diarrhea. Diarrhea can be described as a frequent, liquid or watery bowel movement. Patients can experience it in different ways. However, if you lose a lot of fluids due to diarrhea, you should supplement with a drink containing electrolytes (Gatorade, O.R.S) and water. Since electrolytes (especially potassium) are very important for the electrical conductivity of the heart, you have to be careful to replenish the deficiency.
   • There are different opinions about whether it is better to "get rid of" the virus (ie not take anti-diarrheal drugs) or to stop the diarrhea. But you can buy diarrhea inhibitors from the drugstore if you want.
3. Prevent dehydration. The combination of vomiting and diarrhea can have dehydration as a serious complication. Adults find themselves dehydrated if they feel dizzy when they stand up, have a fast heart rate, dry mouth, or feel very faint. Part of the problem with dehydration is that it involves a lack of important electrolytes such as potassium.
   • If you lose a lot of fluids because of diarrhea, you should, as mentioned above, supplement this with a drink that contains electrolytes (Gatorade, O.R.S) and with water. Since electrolytes (especially potassium) are very important for the electrical conductivity of the heart, you have to be careful to replenish the deficiency.
   • If you are losing a lot of fluids and have severe diarrhea, see your doctor. He or she can determine whether you really have stomach flu and whether treatment is needed. There are other conditions, such as bacterial infections, parasites, or food allergies, that can also make you sick.
4. Pay special attention to dehydration symptoms in babies and children. Babies and toddlers are more likely to be dehydrated. If your child does not want to drink, go to the doctor because a child dehydrates much faster than an adult.
5. Treat your stomach ache. You can take an over-the-counter medicine to relieve the pain so that you feel a little better the days you are sick. A warm bath can also help.
   • If the pain doesn't go away with a painkiller, see a doctor.
6. Don't take antibiotics. Since gastroenteritis is caused by a virus, not bacteria, antibiotics will not help.

Method 3 of 3: Make you feel better

1. Avoid unnecessary stress. Remember to relax at home as stressors can hinder recovery. Do everything you can to get rid of tension so that you feel better quickly.
2. Accept that you are sick and cannot go to work or school for a while. Don't put your precious energy into keeping up with your work. Everyone gets sick from time to time, and your boss or teacher will understand, as long as you plan to catch up on work later. Now focus on getting better.
3. Have someone help you with chores and daily tasks. Ask a friend or family member to help you with things that need to be done, such as doing laundry or picking up medicines. Most people are happy to help you so that you get well again quickly.
4. Drink lots of fluids. To stay hydrated, you need to drink as much liquids as you can hold in. Stick to water or an electrolyte solution from the drugstore. Avoid alcohol, coffee and too acidic (such as orange juice) or basic (such as milk) drinks.
   • Sports drinks (such as Gatorade) are high in sugar and don't hydrate you enough. It will only make you feel bloated and stomach ache.
   • Make your own oral rehydration solution. If you're struggling to stay hydrated, but can't get out of the house to get O.R.S. to buy, make your own drink. Mix 1 liter of water with 6 teaspoons of sugar and 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and drink as much of it as you can.
5. Avoid foods that make you feel unwell. If you vomit a lot, you should avoid foods that hurt when the weather comes up (such as chips or spicy foods). Also, do not eat dairy products for the first 24-48 hours, as these can worsen the symptoms of diarrhea. When you can eat something again, start with soup or stock, and then soft foods.
6. Eat mild foods. Try to stick to the BRAT diet, which includes bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. This is mild enough to keep in so that you get some nutrients to help you recover.
   • Bananas are great because they provide you with nutrients in a mild way, but are also rich in potassium, which you often lack due to diarrhea.
   • Rice is mild and even if you are very nauseous you can usually keep it down. You can also drink rice water with a little sugar, but opinions are still divided on this.
   • Applesauce is also mild and sweet, and it is well tolerated, even if you eat just a spoonful every 30 minutes. Especially with children you have to have a lot of patience, because they can only handle very small amounts at a time. Stick to small amounts, because large amounts can make you vomit again.
   • Toast is a mild form of carbohydrates and most sick people can keep this down.
   • If all else fails, eat baby food. Baby food in jars is gentle on the stomach, easy to digest and full of vitamins and nutrients. Try that if you can't keep anything else in.
7. Rest as much as you can. Getting enough sleep when your body is fighting the stomach flu is essential. Get at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep a day, preferably more.
   • Take naps. If you can stay home from work or school, take a nap in the afternoon when you are tired. Don't feel guilty for not being productive - you need sleep to recover.
8. Save your camp. If you prefer to hang out on the sofa where you can access food and entertainment, bring your pillows and blankets to the sofa so you can sleep whenever you want instead of walking back to the bedroom.
9. Do not take sleeping pills if you vomit regularly. As tempting as that may be, don't take sleeping pills if you still vomit. If you are fast asleep and lying on your back, you can choke on your vomit.
10. Don't ignore the signs. As soon as you feel like something needs to get out, quickly go to the bathroom. Better to get up for nothing than to be late and make a mess of the bank.
    • Stay close to a toilet. If you manage to reach the toilet, it is better than cleaning the floor.
    • Spit in something that is easy to clean. If you have a few large bowls that you don't use that much (if ever) that are dishwasher safe, it's a good idea to keep them next to you. You can then throw the contents in the toilet, rinse, and wash the bowl by hand or in the dishwasher.
11. Cool yourself down if you have a fever. Set up a fan that blows fresh air over your body. If you're really hot, put a bowl of ice water in front of the fan.
    • Put a cold compress on your forehead. Wet a washcloth with cold water and place it on your forehead. Wet it over and over again if necessary.
    • Take a lukewarm shower or bath. You don't have to lather up, it's about cooling it down.
12. Rely on light-hearted entertainment. If you can't help but lie down and watch a movie or TV, avoid pathetic dramas and choose something cute or funny. Research has shown that laughter can soothe pain and promote recovery.
13. Slowly return to your normal routine. When you start to feel a little better, get back to normal tasks in your daily routine. Start by taking a shower and getting dressed as soon as you can, and move on to small chores, errands, and finally back to work or school.

Tips

• Disinfect the house when your stomach flu is over. Wash the sheets, clean the toilet, disinfect doorknobs, etc. (anything that could be contaminated and spread germs).
• Don't be too proud to ask for help!
• It can help to dim the light a little and keep out sounds as much as possible. Then your eyes will not get tired of the bright light. Sound can give you headaches and stress.
• Drink small sips of water, not big ones. Large gulps often make you vomit again.
• Use pedal bin bags to line a bucket. Tie them up and throw it away, and put in a clean bag, so you can keep it clean and prevent the virus from spreading.
• Consider getting your kids vaccinated against the rotavirus. A norovirus vaccine for adults is still under development.
• A little lemonade, water with lemon or lemon lemonade can help with the bad taste after vomiting. Only drink a little of it in small sips. Rinse your mouth with it and swallow it.
• Eat yogurt or applesauce, especially yogurt is good for your stomach. Eat small amounts of it so that you can keep it in. Yogurt and applesauce are easy to digest for your stomach.
• You can also use large towels to throw up, but make sure nothing underneath that can get damaged (such as books or electronics). Wash the towel (and anything underneath such as blankets or sheets) afterward.

Warnings

• If there is blood or mucus in your diarrhea or vomit, or if it lasts for more than three days, see your doctor immediately.