Gastric Flu Symptoms or Symptoms of Gastric FluSymptoms of gastric flu or stomach flu can occur in anyone of any age and the symptoms are a leading cause of morbidity and death worldwide. Like other infectious diseases, deaths are highest in the elderly and also the very young. Gastric flu has high costs to industry too as is the main cause of sickness absence in the work place. Gastric flu is very infectious and disabling. The average stomach flu duration is anything between 2 to 7 days. Its often known as the 24 hour stomach bug, but it takes at least 48 hours to get over the symptoms usually and you shouldn't return to work for at least 48 to 72 hours after the symptoms settle. Symptoms of Gastric FluThe symptoms of the stomach flu or gastric flu include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Other more non-specific symptoms can occur including tiredness, dizziness, cramps, headache and palpitations usually due to dehydration. The average gastric flu duration is between 2 to 3 days although most gastric flu symptoms settle within 24 hours without any need to see a doctor. Gastric flu symptoms are caused by a virus, the most common one being the Norovirus or Norwalk virus. Norovirus gastroenteritis usually occurs in the winter and is often referred to as the winter vomiting virus, although it can actually occur at anytime of the year. There are other viruses that can cause viral gastroenteritis symptoms. These include rotavirus, astrovirus, adenovirus, small round virus, small round structured viruses and calcivirus. However, it is the Norovirus that is most well known due to its label as the winter vomiting virus. The average incubation period for all these viruses is between 24 to 48 hours usually. Treatment Of Gastric Flu Symptoms
Gastric flu treatment is limited. The most important treatment of gastric flu is maintaining hydration. Drinking plenty of fluids is really important, although sometimes difficult if vomiting. Whilst water is fine, an electrolyte solution is preferable. Oral rehydration treatments such as Dioralyte or Pedialyte contain rehydration salts. These salts are required by the body to maintain health. Of course, you can produce a similar rehydration therapy of your own as the important replacements are sugar, salt and water, all of which are usually readily available in the home. A teaspoon of table salt, 8-9 teaspoonfuls of sugar mixed in a litre of water is all you need and this can be diluted to taste with juices. This will help replenish lost fluids and improve gastric flu symptoms. Rehydration can be difficult if vomiting is the main symptom and the reason why there can be high morbidity and mortality in young children and the elderly who are most susceptible. Hospital admission to rehydration may be necessary so that fluids can be replaced intravenously. During the symptoms stage, foods and drinks that can worsen symptoms should be avoided. These include alcohol, coffee and tea (due to caffeine), fatty foods and dairy products such as milk, cheese and butter. The gastric flu treatment options also include antipyretics to reduce temperatures and also improve other symptoms of gastric flu. Paracetamol or Tylenol to keep fever down and help with muscle aches and headache symptoms. Preventing Symptoms of Gastric Flu
The main prevention of gastric flu is good hygiene. The virus is spread by the fecal-oral route through contamination of food, water or by hand to hand contact. Ensuring good hand hygiene by frequent hand washing, allowing the sufferer to have their own toilet and keeping isolated whilst infectious are all important measures as it is so infectious. Any Other Questions Concerning Symptoms of Gastric FluIf you have any other questions about gastric flu symptoms or remedies you can always use the ask a doctor online service.
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