Ways to Avoid the Stomach Virus

Causes of the stomach flu

The stomach flu (also known as gastroenteritis) is usually caused by any number of different viruses that can attack your gastrointestinal system. It’s not caused by the influenza virus, which gives you the seasonal flu.

Less often, bacteria can cause it, typically due to contaminated water or food that was prepared inadequately or in an unhygienic environment.

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Preventing the stomach flu

If you know the stomach flu is going around, take extra precautions. Avoid close contact with infected people if possible and wash your hands frequently.

Some basic ways to avoid getting the stomach flu (and illness in general) include washing your hands regularly and getting plenty of rest. Here are additional methods of prevention:

  • Use the dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand when possible.

  • Use soap and water instead of hand sanitizer.

  • Keep a sick family member isolated. Try to restrict them to one bathroom, and have the rest of the household use another.

  • Wipe off shopping cart handles.

  • Clean countertops and surfaces with a disinfectant spray, and be sure to wash clothes and bedding as well.

Is stomach flu contagious?

Yes! Usually a virus causes the stomach flu. Symptoms appear one to three days after exposure, so you are contagious before you begin to develop symptoms.

And even after you’ve recovered from your symptoms, you can remain contagious for up to two weeks. Children can remain contagious for an even longer period afterward.

To decrease the risk of passing it onto others, do not go to work or school with symptoms. If you have a fever, wait until it’s gone for 24 hours before returning to your routine.

The road to recovery

While the stomach flu is definitely not a pleasant experience, most people make a full recovery without any complications. Staying hydrated throughout the course of the illness can be the biggest challenge.

There’s not much to do for the stomach flu except wait it out and use the remedies discussed above.

You should call your doctor if you haven’t been able to keep down liquids for 24 hours or are showing any signs of dehydration, are vomiting blood, have bloody diarrhea, or have a fever above 102°F.


Source Credit: https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/best-remedies-stomach-flu#takeaway