A stomach bug is a nonmedical term for viral gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu. Viral gastroenteritis is a viral infection of the intestines that causes abdominal cramping, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and, in some cases, a fever. Viral gastroenteritis is acquired by coming in contact with another person who is infected with a stomach bug or ingesting contaminated food or water. No effective treatment exists for this condition, but diet modification can help soothe your gastrointestinal symptoms and promote normal bowel movements. Talk with your health care provider before implementing any dietary changes to treat a medical condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms from a stomach bug can appear within one to three days after you've acquired the virus. Symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on your health and the type of virus you've contracted. Often, symptoms last for only one day, but sometimes they can last for up to 10 days. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, joint stiffness, clammy skin, incontinence and weight loss. Treatment for a stomach bug focuses on restoring your bowels and preventing dehydration.
Course of Action
Stop eating and drinking if you're unable to keep anything in your stomach. If you've been vomiting excessively, your stomach muscles can spasm, which can trigger continual vomiting. Emptying your stomach for a few hours can help calm your stomach muscles. Once your symptoms subside, attempt to sip a cup of herbal tea, fruit juice or water. You can also suck on ice pops or ice cubes to keep your body hydrated. Once you feel like your stomach has settled and you can keep some liquids down, incorporate basic, bland foods.
Foods to Eat
Some foods help promote normal digestion because they're absorbed and assimilated easily by the body and they help provide bulk for normal stools. The best foods to begin eating include rice, bananas, apples and toast. Eat these foods in small amounts so you don't over-extend your stomach. If you can handle eating these foods, you can add cooked carrots, skinless chicken, potatoes and crackers. It is important to eat these foods plain, without adding any butter or spices. Stay away from high-fiber foods, fatty foods and dairy products.
Liquid Intake
It is important that you increase your liquid intake with the right fluids. Drink more water, fruit juices, herbal tea, sports drinks and soup broth to keep your body hydrated. Dehydration is a serious complication of having a stomach bug. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization and intravenous fluids; extreme cases can lead to death.
