What are the symptoms of the stomach virus? How do I get rid of the stomach flu? Stomach flu is a disease that individuals face from time to time during their lifetime. It affects people of all ages but is more common in young children. This disease, which causes problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, makes daily life more difficult. It may cause serious problems such as dehydration (fluid loss) if it lasts long. For this reason, individuals with this infection should consult health institutions and take the necessary precautions according to the proposed treatment plan. Here, we will explain the causes, symptoms, and treatment of stomach flu.
About Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis)
Stomach Flu is a type of disease caused by microbiological agents or parasites such as bacteria or viruses. Food poisoning can also lead to intestinal infection. In individuals with gastroenteritis, digestive activities are adversely affected due to the change of intestinal flora, and diarrhea problem occurs. Due to watery stools, patients feel the need to constantly go to the restroom. Gastroenteritis, which is a very uncomfortable disease, also causes loss of fluid, fatigue, and weakness. One of the issues that many people wonder about is the answers to questions such as how long the intestinal infection lasts and when it heals. Diarrhea and other problems associated with bowel infection usually resolve spontaneously within a week. Since it is an infectious disease, it is highly likely to be transmitted especially in places public where hygiene is insufficient compared to the home environment. To prevent serious complications that may arise from a prolongation of the illness, individuals who have become infected should immediately contact a health facility, take the necessary tests, and start treatment.
Types of Gastroenteritis
Stomach flu can occur for multiple causes and is divided into three different groups:
- Bacterial Gastroenteritis: It is a type of intestinal infection that usually occurs due to bacterial species such as E. Coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter.
- Viral Gastroenteritis: Intestinal infection caused by viruses such as Rotavirus, Adenovirus, and Norovirus. The majority of diarrhea cases in children are viral gastroenteritis.
- Parasitic Gastroenteritis: Intestinal infections caused by parasites such as tapeworm and intestinal worms.
Stomach Flu Causes
Gastroenteritis is a type of infectious disease, which causes infection agents to enter the body and defeat the immune system. It is an infectious disease and can be transmitted from infected people with bacteria or viruses, causing intestinal infection to healthy people. Non-hygienic conditions, such as food and beverages, contaminated water, toilet use, or diaper change are among the causes of the disease. The majority of infections are viral infections. Viral infections such as rotavirus, norovirus, especially in children and young infants, can be life-threatening when not treated. Unconscious antibiotic use in such infections also has negative effects on the progression of the disease. Antibiotics do not affect viruses and can cause viral gastroenteritis to reach more serious levels as it will kill beneficial bacteria that prevent diarrhea in the intestine.
Stomach Flu Symptoms
It is a very common health problem, and the symptoms are almost the same in all patients. The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis are as follows:
- Sudden onset of watery diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain and abdominal cramps
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue and weakness
- Dry mouth and skin due to fluid loss
- Extreme thirst
- Stomachache
- Low blood pressure
- Pain in the legs
Although the above symptoms are typical symptoms of diarrhea, patients require immediate medical attention as their duration lasts longer than one week, indicating the severity of the infection or the presence of a different disease.
Stomach Flu Treatment
Stomach flu usually resolves within a week at the latest with rest, abundant fluid intake, and consumption of appropriate food. Therefore, patients usually do not feel the need to consult a doctor. To prevent dehydration, patients with intestinal infection should consume 2 or 2.5 liters of water daily and prefer low-fiber foods, and sugar consumption should be avoided as much as possible. In the case of fever, the use of paracetamol-containing drugs may be recommended by the physician. Besides, in the case of excessive vomiting, anti-nausea drugs can be used to prevent fluid loss. However, before using any medication, you need to consult your doctor as soon as possible.
