Remedies for a Stomach Virus or Flu

A good stomach virus or flu treatment is one that relieves symptoms associated with the condition and supports the body. The only way to remedy a stomach virus or flu is to support the gastrointestinal tract by eating stomach-friendly foods and incorporating a few other useful strategies into your overall get-well plan. As doctors at the Mayo Clinic state, "There's no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is key."

Stomach Virus and Flu Treatment Strategies

• The best laid plans are first born out of a great strategy. When dealing with a stomach virus or flu, it is best to take stock of symptoms and determine how your body is responding to the virus. To begin the process, first understand the common symptoms associated with a stomach virus or flu. Such viruses usually involve a combination of diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration, as well as symptoms associated with dehydration, including excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urine or dark yellow urine and severe weakness or lethargy. Sufferers should observe how the stomach virus or flu is affecting his body as well as determine the level of severity for each of those symptoms. Because antibiotics are not effective on viral infections, suffers should always concentrate on relieving symptoms rather than killing the virus; the body will fight off the virus on its own. Always consider natural remedies that target the nausea and dehydration. Many sufferers swear by bananas, rice, apple and toast to relieve stomach virus and flu symptoms.

Build Up Your Body

• Target your symptoms and relieve your stomach flu quicker than ever before. With this part of the strategy, you want to think of ways that you can support your body as it defends itself against the virus. Ideally, you want to allow your gastrointestinal tract to settle. The best way to do this is to stick to stomach-friendly foods (eg. bland, easy-to-digest food that ease nausea); or, alternately, you may need to limit eating for a few hours until your stomach can settle on its own. You have to pay attention to how your stomach responds to certain foods and then determine the best strategy regarding food intake for you and your body. To limit hunger and reduce dehydration during this time, think of ways that you can fill your stomach while still hydrating the body. You want to stick to choices like eating ice cubes or sipping small amounts of clear liquids to relieve dehydration; this is especially true if your nausea won't subside. Be creative and make sure that your body is supported, fed and hydrated throughout the day. This will also help to remedy your body of the stomach virus or flu more quickly than you would by simply going off all foods and beverages.

Helping Infants and Children

• Help infants and children battling a stomach virus or fly by providing oral rehydration solutions that replace fluids and replenish lost electrolytes. Talk to your pediatrician about the best rehydration solutions for your child and work slowly to introduce these and other foods back into the child's dietary schedule. As with adult sufferers, you want to start with bland, easy-to-digest food, like toast, broth and apples, and avoid hard-to-digest foods that may upset the stomach such as dairy and sugary products. Determine the best schedule for your child's body and remember to go easy. You never want to overdo it. Let your child get plenty of rest and introduce these foods based on what works best for him.