Stomach viruses are among the most miserable and frustrating of minor illnesses, causing painful stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting expel food quickly -- before nutrients can be absorbed -- and the lack of appetite often caused by a stomach virus can lead to little food intake. These factors can cause a significant, although temporary nutrient depletion. Proper self-care is essential to avoid complications and speed your recovery.
Stomach Virus Facts
Known to physicians as viral gastroenteritis and to most non-physicians as "the stomach flu," most stomach viruses are caused by the rotavirus or the norovirus, and are transmitted from person to person through the air or through direct contact with saliva, vomit or diarrhea. Like all viruses, stomach viruses don't respond to antibiotics, and the overuse of antibiotics can contribute to the creation of drug-resistant bacterial strains. Stomach viruses are generally self-limiting in healthy individuals, and the only treatment is self care. Preventive measures, such as frequent hand-washing, disinfecting surfaces that are potentially contaminated and avoiding crowded, confined spaces can reduce your risk of contracting stomach viruses.
Nutrient Loss
A lack of food intake and poor nutrient absorption during a stomach virus can cause a temporary depletion of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. This short-term loss poses little serious risk to healthy individuals. However, it can drain you of energy, which your body needs for a speedy recovery. Reintroduce foods slowly into your diet as soon as you feel ready. Avoid fatty, sugary and high-fiber foods in favor of easily digested items such as crackers, white bread and broth.
Dehydration
Dehydration is the most serious complication of stomach viruses. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause extensive water loss, as well as an extensive loss of important mineral nutrients, such as sodium and potassium. These minerals help balance the fluids in your cells, and they support the complex internal electrical system that powers your heart and your brain function. The very young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable to dehydration. Healthy individuals who hydrate themselves properly during a stomach virus should experience few problems. Because it lacks essential minerals, water alone will not adequately treat dehydration. During a stomach virus, sports drinks and vitamin drinks with added electrolytes are a much better option than water. Avoid fruit juices, which can make diarrhea worse.
Caution
Contact your physician if you cannot keep liquids down for two days, if you experience bloody vomit or diarrhea, if you have a fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, if diarrhea and vomiting persist or worsen after three days or if you experience symptoms of dehydration, including a dry, sticky mouth, lethargy, confusion, decreased urination or a rapid heartbeat. Moderate to severe dehydration is a serious medical condition, and hospitalization and intravenous hydration may be required in some cases.
Member Comments