You have most likely experienced a case of gastroenteritis at some point in your life, probably more than once. Gastroenteritis, which is the medical term for stomach flu, is a viral intestinal infection that can make you feel pretty miserable for a few days.
Gastroenteritis is contagious and contracted through contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water. Once you are infected it can take 1 to 2 days before you start experiencing symptoms.
Symptoms of the virus should not be confused with the real flu (influenza). Influenza affects your respiratory system, such as your nose, throat, and lungs, while gastroenteritis targets your intestines causing gastrointestinal symptoms.
Diarrhea
Watery stool, known as diarrhea, is a common symptom. If you have bloody diarrhea, seek medical attention—you mya have a different, more severe kind of infection.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal cramps and pain, as well as muscle aches or headaches, can also occur with gastroenteritis.
Upset Stomach
In addition to a loss of appetite, it is common to experience nausea, vomiting, or both.
Fever
You may have a low-grade fever when dealing with the stomach flu. This is a temperature above normal (98.6 F), but below 100.4 F. A fever is your body’s response to the infection.
Dehydration
Excessive thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine or no urine, and severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness are all signs of dehydration—which can easily occur when you have the stomach flu.
When to See a Doctor
Your symptoms can range from mild to severe and last a day or two, but sometimes they may last for up to 10 days.
For adults, you should see a doctor if you are unable to keep liquids down for 24 hours, you’ve been vomiting for more than two days, you’re vomiting blood, you’re dehydrated, there is blood in your stool, or if you have a fever over 104 F.
For children, gastroenteritis can turn severe more easily. It is important to see a doctor if your child has a fever of 102 F or higher, is lethargic or very irritable, is in pain, has bloody diarrhea, or seems dehydrated.
Vomiting is not normal for babies. If your infant is vomiting, see a doctor. Other signs that require medical attention for infants include no wet diaper in 6 hours, bloody diarrhea, dry mouth, crying without tears, or unusual lethargy.
Treating Your Symptoms
There is no cure for gastroenteritis. That means treatment requires self-care at home. Most importantly, you will want to make sure you stay hydrated and comfortable.
If your stomach is upset, stop eating solid foods for a while. Stick to chicken broth or bland foods until you start to feel better.
Rest is important for recovery too. The illness itself and dehydration can leave you tired and weak, but sleeping more than usual will help resolve this.
Although you may be tempted to treat your pain or fever with over-the-counter medication, it is recommended that you do so sparingly. This is advised because ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.) can make your stomach more upset than it already is. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause liver toxicity, especially in children.
