Why are stomach flu cases rising? Did you drop ice cubes into your drink at a bar?

Children, older adults, and people who have a suppressed immune system are at the highest risk of a severe infection.

WHAT IS STOMACH FLU?

Viral gastroenteritis is caused by the norovirus, which affects both adults and children, and rotavirus, which affects mostly children. Norovirus is the most common among stomach bugs and has many types but it has no vaccine. Rota does.

Other viruses are astrovirus and enteric adenovirus. Of course, respiratory viruses like influenza and Covid affect the stomach and cause diarrhoea too, even when respiratory symptoms are not as pronounced. That’s why it is initially difficult to determine which is which. A confirmation comes from a stool test and culture.

WHAT ARE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?

The virus causes severe diarrhoea and vomitting for 24 to 36 hours. An infection caused by food poisoning, in contrast, usually lasts just a few hours. Also food poisoning is caused by bacteria growing in food that has been sitting out for long or has gone stale. The diarrhoea and vomitting is accompanied by fever. Contact a doctor if you have persistent diarrhoea for two days, blood in your stool and vomit, severe fatigue, dizziness, high fever of 103 to 104 degree F or severe abdominal pain. A deep yellow urine or no urine is an indicator that the body has been severely dehydrated. If vomitting and diarrhoea last longer than 36 hours or if patients can’t hold down any liquids and stop urinating, they need IV.

HOW TO TREAT A STOMACH FLU

First and foremost, this is a virus, not bacteria. So don’t use antibiotics. The only aim is to make sure that the body has enough water and electrolytes (salt and minerals) that are lost through diarrhoea or vomitting. So rehydrate with ORS (oral rehydration solution) and electrolytes.

Do not have fruit juice, sodas or cola or broth as they do not replace lost minerals and can worsen the diarrhoea. Drink small amounts of liquid every half-an-hour to an hour.

Avoid dairy and wheat. Do not take medicines like Loperamide, sold under the brand name Imodium, as it can lead to complications. Consult the doctor for tablets you should take for the runny stomach. Antiemetics stop the vomiting and nausea, probiotics may help you get a hold of your stomach.

PREVENTION PROTOCOL

The best way to prevent stomach flu is to prepare food hygienically and wash your hands thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds, before eating and after using the toilet. Alcoholic disinfectants don’t work as well as soap water, so teach your children to scrub their hands after toilet use. I have seen many adults and children, especially in multiplexes, press the flush button and without washing their hands, have popcorn with them.

Avoid sharing vessels and personal effects if you are sick. Wash all your raw fruits and vegetables before preparation, disinfect kitchen surfaces and countertops with hot soapy water, wash your clothes and kitchen towels in warm water and avoid undercooked fish and meat.

For most people, the flu goes away in a couple of days and the stomach settles with rest. Just avoid dehydration.