Stomach Virus Tips

Stomach viruses cause inflammation and irritation in the intestines and stomach, resulting in painful and uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Viral infections are very contagious and unpleasant, so it's important to practice ways to prevent contracting one. If you do get a stomach virus, there are things you can do to manage the symptoms.

Prevent Viral Infections

• Viruses pass easily from person to person, so you must exercise caution if you want to avoid contracting one. First, stay away from sick people. If someone you know complains of illness or has been sick recently, stay away from that person for a few days. Avoid direct contact if at all possible. If the ill person lives in your household, then just avoid unnecessary contact.
  Wash your hands. Improper hand washing after a bowel movement or changing a diaper is one of the easiest ways to spread a stomach virus. Wash your hands every time you use the restroom, and wash hands regularly throughout the day as well (you never know what germs you may have touched).
  Keep your home clean. Use a disinfecting cleaner to kill germs in your home. If someone in your home is sick, wash that person's dishes in the dishwasher or very hot soapy water; keep linens clean and disinfect the surfaces in your home. Pay attention to high-traffic areas such as the bathroom and kitchen, and don't forget to clean door knobs and telephones.
  Keep your hands out of your mouth. Avoid chewing fingernails or eating with your hands unless you have recently washed them.

Manage and Treat Symptoms

• If you contract a stomach virus, you may experience a range of symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, body aches and pains, fever, chills, fatigue and loss of appetite. To manage these symptoms, give your stomach and intestines a rest. Do not eat, and drink only clear fluids (such as water or tea). If you have been vomiting, drink very small amounts of fluids several times a day instead of trying to drink larger amounts at one time.
  Choose the right fluids. Water may be the only thing you can handle without vomiting; if so, that's okay. However, when you vomit and you can't eat for a while, your body loses nutrients. Try to drink sport drinks or other drinks that contain electrolytes to replace the important minerals your body has lost. You may also try tea, apple juice or noncaffeinated sodas (after letting them go flat). Avoid caffeine and milk.
  Follow the "BRAT" diet. After you have been able to keep liquids down for a few hours, you may want to eat something. It's a good idea to follow the BRAT diet for a few days, until your stomach and intestines have had time to recover from the virus. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. These foods and other soft, bland ones (such as gelatin or soda crackers) help speed recovery.
  Getting plenty of rest is also essential. Stay home for a few days, if possible, so you do not over-exert yourself or make someone else sick.

When to See a Doctor

• If your symptoms persist for longer than three days, consult a physician. Your stomach virus may actually be a more serious illness or caused by a bacteria. Your doctor can also assess your condition and determine if further treatment is needed.
  If you are pregnant or elderly, or if your child contracts a stomach virus, you may wish to see a doctor sooner than three days.