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The stomach flu usually starts out like the flu - with a fever and feeling unwell. But the more typical food poisoning symptoms develop quickly with the stomach flu. That is why this disease is commonly called stomach flu. This flu is the result of infection with the rota virus (rotavirus).

Stomach fluis a viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract. It is most often caused byrotaviruses . They are very contagious - they are spread by airborne droplets, therefore contact with the sick person or with objects with which they have come into contact usually ends with "catching" the virus. The disease develops within 1-3 days, but even before the first symptoms appear, the infected person infects others - this also happens during the disease and a few days after the symptoms disappear.

Stomach flu - a short but tiring disease

After entering the body, viruses multiply in the digestive tract, damaging its mucosa. Along with the fever, abdominal pain and violent diarrhea or vomiting (even several times a day) appear. The symptoms usually disappear within 3-5 days, sometimes they last for a few days longer. Having stomach flu protects against re-infection, but only with the same type of virus - other types of it can make you sick again.

Stomach flu: symptoms

The symptoms of stomach flu are initially easily confused with food poisoning. They are:

  • fever
  • stomach ache
  • watery diarrhea
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • general fatigue and malaise

Do not become dehydrated with gastric flu

There is no drug that fights the stomach flu virus - the treatment consists in alleviating symptoms and preventing dehydration of the body, which can occur very quickly in the event of severe diarrhea or vomiting. You have to constantly replenish fluids and electrolytes. There are special preparations for dilution with water in the pharmacy, you can also prepare such a drink at home (lukewarm water with sugar and s alt). Medicinal charcoal or anti-diarrheal drugs, such as loperamide or nifuroxazide, may be helpful in diarrhea; some people benefit from warm, degassed cola. When the symptom of the disease is vomiting, you can save yourself by taking an antacid (such as with heartburn). In everyin the case of a diet, a diet is also recommended.

Important

Toilet - a paradise for viruses

Inadequate hygiene of toilets, inadequate rooms where viruses have excellent living conditions - this is why the peak of viral gastrointestinal infections falls in the period from November to April. This is one more of the reasons why it was called the stomach flu, as it is the same period that has the highest number of cases of real flu.

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Category:

Gastrology