Stomach virus, or viral gastroenteritis, is the inflammation of the stomach and the intestines caused by viruses like astrovirus, enteric adenovirus, norovirus and rotavirus. The disease is more prevalent among the very young and the very old. The symptoms, which include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps and low fever, appear four to 48 hours after the exposure to contaminated food and water. There is no specific medical treatment for viral gastroenteritis.
Fluid Replacement Therapy
Maintaining fluid levels in the body is the key to treating and managing viral gastroenteritis. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends sports beverages for older children and adults and oral rehydration therapy for younger children. Oral hydration therapy consists of a solution of salts and sugars and helps to replace the fluids that are lost during diarrhea and vomiting. It is best to consume small amounts, 2 to 4 oz., of fluids every 30 to 60 minutes because larger amounts may lead to nausea and vomiting.
Dairy products, milk and fruit juices should be avoided, although breast milk can be continued. Intravenous administration of mineral rich fluids should be given to patients who are unable to take in the fluids orally.
Proper Diet
It is important to let the digestive tract settle down by not eating food for some time. The diet should then be introduced gradually. The National Institutes of Health suggests that food should be offered frequently in small amounts. Suggested foods include cereals, bread, potatoes, lean meats, plain yogurt, bananas, fresh apples and vegetables.
Medications
Most cases of stomach virus resolve over time with fluid intake and proper diet. Antibiotics are ineffective against the viruses that cause gastroenteritis.
Antimetics like promethazine, prochorperazine and ondansteron can help control vomiting and are usually prescribed by the physician in severe cases. In fact, a recent clinical trial published in the May 2007 edition of "Pediatric Drugs" has shown that a single oral dose of ondansetron reduces gastroenteritis-related vomiting and judicious use of this drug might increase the success of oral hydration therapy, minimize the need for intravenous therapy and hospitalization, and in turn reduce the health care costs.
Antidiarrheals, like Pepto-Bismol, atropine or loperamide, help control diarrhea but should never be consumed unless prescribed by a physician. In fact, the use of antidiarrheal drugs may prolong the infection. According to the University of Massachusetts Health Center, Pepto-Bismol is generally safe, as long as a person does not have sensitivity to aspirin or aspirin-like products. It can help relieve abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Loperamide is also effective but should not be used for more than two days, or if the patient has bloody diarrhea.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Viral Gastroenteritis - Treatment
- Medline Plus: Viral Gastroenteritis
- "Pediatric Drugs"; Acute gastroenteritis in children: role of anti-emetic medication for gastroenteritis-related vomiting; A.K. Leung and W.L. Robson; 2007
- University Health Services: Viral Gastroenteritis
