Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Improving the Immune System
• Part 2 of 4: Hygiene
• Part 3 of 4: Preventing Stomach Flu
• Part 4 of 4: Stomach Flu
• Warnings

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis. This condition is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea. In addition to these basic symptoms, fever, headache, muscle pain and fatigue can also occur. A sudden onset of symptoms can occur 24 to 48 hours after infection with the virus. People who have been exposed to stomach flu should take special precautions to avoid getting sick, although there is no 100% way to prevent infection.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Improving the Immune System

1. 1 Increase your vitamin C intake. Since viruses enter the body when the immune system is weak, you must take steps to strengthen the immune system so that the body does not become vulnerable. This can be done quite simply by increasing your vitamin C intake.
   • Vitamin C is available in tablets, capsules, effervescent tablets, and syrup. You should take 500 mg of vitamin C daily to strengthen your immune system and protect your body from immune system deficiencies.
   • Vitamin C can also be found in a variety of foods and drinks, such as cantaloupe, orange juice, broccoli, red cabbage, green and red peppers, kiwi, and tomato juice.
2. 2 Eat probiotic yogurt. Studies have shown that eating probiotic yogurt can prevent stomach flu from recurring. One glass of this yogurt can keep your stomach healthy.
   • Yoghurt contains beneficial bacteria called probiotics. These good bacteria fight bad bacteria in the stomach. Yogurt also helps restore healthy bacteria in the stomach.
   • Yogurt is made by adding bacteria cultures to milk. Once added, bacteria convert milk sugar into lactic acid.
3. 3 Drink water. Drinking plenty of water is another way to boost your immune system.
   • A person is advised to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, as water helps to cleanse and saturate the body with fluid, which is very beneficial for the immune system.
   • These 8 glasses of water should not include other liquids such as coffee, soda, tea, or spirits.
4. 4 Eat more mushrooms. Mushrooms are known for their ability to strengthen the immune system as they increase the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the body. These white blood cells fight the germs that cause infections.
   • There are many different types of mushrooms that you can start eating. Shiitake, maitake and lacquered tinder fungus are among the most famous types of mushrooms that have a positive effect on the immune system.
   • By consuming a quarter to one ounce of mushrooms a day, you can strengthen your immune system. You can cook mushrooms by adding them to pasta sauce or sautéing them in oil.
5. 5 Eat foods rich in carotenoids. Carotenoids (which are derived from vitamin A) improve the functioning of cells of the immune system, as well as intercellular communication for easier detection of foreign bodies. They also induce apoptosis (the process of cell death) in these bodies.
   • Foods rich in carotenoids include carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, apricots, spinach, and broccoli.
   • The RDA for vitamin A is 0.9 mg for men and 0.7 mg for women.
6. 6 Eat more garlic. Garlic has the ability to stimulate the body's immune system by stimulating the activity of white blood cells called macrophages, which consume foreign bodies, such as virus cells associated with stomach flu. For an immune-boosting effect, eat a head of garlic every 4 hours.
7. 7 Drink aloe vera juice. Aloe vera contains certain chemicals that improve immune function.
   • Substances called lectins stimulate the production of macrophages, the cells responsible for fighting off foreign bodies by absorbing them. They will help eliminate the stomach virus inside the body.
   • Aloe vera can be purchased as a juice. The recommended daily intake of aloe vera juice is 50 ml.
8. 8 Drink black tea. Studies have shown that drinking 3-5 cups of black tea a day for two weeks can help your body fight the virus in your bloodstream.
   • L-theanine is found in black and green teas. It is known for its ability to strengthen the immune system.
   • To make the tea even more effective when brewing it, lower the tea bags up and down.
9. 9 Drink apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar changes the pH level in the intestinal tract to a more alkaline environment. This is a fairly effective method, since intestinal viruses do not develop in an alkaline environment, preferring an acidic one.
   • Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink daily.

Part 2 of 4: Hygiene

1. 1 Understand the importance of good hygiene in preventing infection. Hygiene is paramount when it comes to staying healthy. This applies not only to stomach flu, but also to other illnesses. Hygiene is the body's best defense against disease.
   • The most important precaution you can take against illness and infection is hand washing, as hands are the part of the body that is most likely to touch a norovirus-infected surface.
2. 2 Learn how to wash your hands properly. Proper hand washing technique is essential if you want to eliminate any germs that may be present. For hand washing to be effective, you must do the following:
   • Wet your hands first and then apply antibacterial soap. Rub your palms.Continue rubbing your palms, then start rubbing the back of your hands. Then start rubbing between the fingers of each hand, and don't forget the fingers themselves. Finally, clean your wrist.
   • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. If you can't count how much you wash your hands, then sing the song "Happy Birthday" twice. Then rinse your hands, starting at your fingertips and working towards your wrist. Dry your hands with a clean towel.
3. 3 Know when to wash your hands. You should wash your hands in the following situations:
   • Before and after cooking, before eating, before and after caring for a sick person, before and after touching any type of wound, after touching any dirty surface or object, after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose, and after touching pets.
   • If you are unable to wash your hands, then the next best option is to use a hand sanitizer. Apply a generous amount of hand sanitizer to your hands and rub them to distribute the gel evenly over the entire surface of your palms.
4. 4 Clean your home thoroughly. Various areas of your home, along with the cleaning supplies you use in your daily life, often contain invisible microorganisms that can cause stomach viruses. In order to clean the house, you must do the following:
   • Towels and sponges... Use disposable sponges and paper towels as much as possible. Reusable towels and sponges must be disinfected in bleach after each use. Soak towels and sponges in the bleach bucket for at least 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
   • Mops and buckets... These items are considered the dirtiest because they always come into contact with the floor. When cleaning the floor, take two buckets. One bucket for detergent and another for rinsing. In order to disinfect the mop, you must first remove the mop washcloth, if possible. Add a quarter cup of antimicrobial solution to a bucket of water and stir well. Soak a mop washcloth in this solution for 5 minutes. Then rinse it thoroughly and leave to dry.
   • Floors: floors are the dirtiest parts of the house because they are stepped on every day. Take a mop soaked in antimicrobial solution (a quarter cup of antimicrobial agent in a bucket of water) and mop the floor. Make sure the floors are always dry, as microorganisms thrive in humid environments.
   • Sinks and toilets: always flush the toilet after each use, and use an antibacterial or antimicrobial disinfectant (a quarter cup of antimicrobial in a bucket of water) to clean your sinks and toilets at least every few days.

Part 3 of 4: Preventing Stomach Flu

1. 1 Don't drink contaminated water. It is very important to check that the water source is clean and not contaminated with harmful microorganisms. Contaminated water is one of the ways stomach flu spreads.
   • There are several ways to disinfect water. The easiest of these is boiling. The water must be boiled for at least 15 minutes before you can remove it from the heat. Thus, you can be sure that all microorganisms in the water have been destroyed.
   • Also, if you are in a place where you are unsure about the safety of the water, then it is best to drink bottled water. But be sure to check the seal on each bottle for signs of tampering to ensure that the water is safe.
2. 2 Use chemical disinfectants. Substances such as chlorine and iodine dissolve in water and kill various microorganisms. These substances destroy the chemical bond in the molecules of bacteria and viruses.
   • This leads to the complete disintegration or change in the shape of the molecule, which in turn leads to the death of the microorganism.In order to disinfect water, you need to do the following:
   • Add 2 drops of chlorine per liter of water. Stir the solution well for two minutes. Wait 30 minutes before drinking.
   • However, this method is not 100% effective, so filtration and boiling must still be done.
3. 3 Disinfect the water with a portable filter. The pore size of these filters is less than 0.5 microns, which is ideal for filtering viruses and bacteria. They trap microorganisms in the filter, thereby making the water passing through them safe to drink.
   • Portable filters should be used in conjunction with either boiling or chemical disinfection. To use a filter, you must do the following:
   • Install the water filter on the tap. Most water filters are made according to universal measurements, so they can be installed on almost any faucet. Press down firmly to make sure it is tightly closed. Open the tap and let it flow for 5 minutes to remove all the coal dust.
   • Portable filters need to be changed every month if you want the water to be filtered properly. Over time, microorganisms accumulate in the filter, which is why it needs to be changed monthly.
4. 4 Try not to eat street food. You never know how a particular food was prepared and whether it is safe to eat. They can contain harmful microorganisms, such as those that cause stomach viruses, especially if cooked with dirty hands and contaminated food.
5. 5 Don't forget to throw away food. Spoiled food must be disposed of properly, and garbage cans must always be closed so as not to attract rodents and cockroaches. Garbage is also where microorganisms thrive.
6. 6 Increase self-awareness. Always stay up to date with the latest developments. A good understanding of current events will help you make wise decisions about travel or entertainment in different places or countries.
   • For example, if there is an outbreak of stomach virus or gastroenteritis somewhere, and you plan to travel there, then it would be better to cancel your plans for your own safety.

Part 4 of 4: Stomach Flu

1. 1 Understand what causes stomach flu. Most cases of gastroenteritis are associated with the invasion of infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses. Bacterial and viral infections lead to diarrhea and other symptoms, causing inflammation of the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract.
   • Typically, these agents increase the amount of fluid in the intestines and colon, altering the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract when absorbing water and accelerating the mobility of digested food, thereby causing diarrhea.
   • It can also harm the intestinal cells directly or indirectly through the secreted toxins.
2. 2 Know which viruses are causing gastroenteritis. Many viruses cause gastroenteritis, but the most common types are:
   • Norovirus. This is the most common type of virus that infects school-aged children. It can cause epidemics in hospitals and cruise ships.
   • Rotavirus. This is a common cause of serious cases of gastroenteritis in children, but it can also occur in adults in contact with children who carry this type of virus. It can also infect people living in nursing homes.
   • Astrovirus. It causes gastroenteritis and diarrhea mainly in children under 5 years of age. There have been cases of this type of virus in adults.
   • Intestinal adenovirus. In addition to respiratory infections, it also causes gastroenteritis.
3. 3 Recognize the symptoms of intestinal flu. Signs and symptoms associated with gastroenteritis usually appear 4 to 48 hours after exposure to infectious agents or contact with contaminated food or water sources. Symptoms include:
   • Stomach ache.
   • Chills, sweating, and clammy skin.
   • Diarrhea.
   • Heat.
   • Stiffness of statutes or muscle pain.
   • Nausea and vomiting.
   • Poor feeding or loss of appetite.
   • Weight loss.
4. 4 Be aware of the risk factors for stomach flu. The prevalence of gastroenteritis is global, so it is almost impossible to avoid exposure to all identified causes of the disease throughout your life. However, some people are more vulnerable to gastroenteritis than others. For example:
   • Immunocompromised people... These can include infants, children, adults and the elderly, as they may have an underdeveloped or weakened immune system, which puts them at greater risk of developing this disease. These people are also more prone to dehydration compared to people with healthy and strong immune systems.
   • People taking antibiotics... This drug can weaken the beneficial microbes in the gastrointestinal tract, making it easier for certain bacteria and viruses that cause disease (such as Clostridium difficile) to invade.
   • People with poor hygiene... Proper body care, such as proper hand washing techniques, can help prevent certain types of diseases, including gastroenteritis.
   • People exposed to contaminated food and drink... Eating undercooked or unwashed food, or drinking from a contaminated source, such as a river or stream, has the potential to put a person at greater risk of developing gastroenteritis.
5. 5 Be aware of how the virus spreads from person to person. Gastroenteritis can be transmitted in the following ways:
   • Direct contact... A person who touches an infected object, such as feces, and then touches another person, can directly transmit viral or bacterial agents that cause gastroenteritis.
   • Indirect contact... A person with bacterial or viral agents touches a certain object, and another person touches the same object, after which he touches his mouth with his already infected hands. This situation can lead to indirect transmission of infection.
   • Contaminated food and drink... They can potentially harbor gastroenteritis pathogens and, if used accidentally, can also lead to an outbreak.

Warnings

• It is a highly contagious disease that can spread easily. It is very important to isolate the person infected with the virus. Even objects touched by the patient should be separated and not used in order to prevent the spread of infection.