What is the stomach flu?
The term stomach flu is actually a misnomer since this condition is caused by one of several viruses that differ from the ones that cause influenza, the “true” flu. (Influenza usually causes respiratory symptoms, but gastrointestinal ones.) When people say they’ve had a case of the stomach flu they’re actually referring to a condition called viral gastroenteritis, caused by a variety of viruses that infect the intestinal tract. These viruses can lead to those very uncomfortable symptoms that’ll keep you parked in the bathroom for a few days. What about food poisoning? In contrast to viral gastroenteritis, food poisoning is usually caused by bacteria that’s contaminated food that you’ve recently eaten. Contamination may occur at any stage of food preparation. In the case of meat, it could have occurred as far back as the slaughter house and with produce it can sometimes be traced all the way back to the fields where the vegetables were grown. It can also occur during preparation of the
Many people talk about the “stomach flu” when they’re feeling sick to their stomachs. It isn’t the same as influenza, or the flu. Stomach flu is an illness called gastroenteritis (say: gas-tro-en-tuh-rye-tus), which is usually caused by a virus. Someone who gets gastroenteritis might have stomach cramps, nausea (say: naw-zee-uh), throwing up, and diarrhea (say: dye-uh-ree-uh). He or she will probably feel pretty sick for a day or 2 but will then get better. There is no vaccine or cure for gastroenteritis. If you have it, you’ll want to rest until you feel better. If you’re throwing up, don’t eat solid food. Instead, sip fluids, such as water, or chew on bits of ice. Your mom or dad also might give you an oral rehydration solution (say: or-ul ree-hye-dray-shun suh-loo-shun). That’s a fancy name for those special fruit-flavored drinks and Popsicles that contain carbohydrates and electrolytes – stuff your body can get low on when you’re dehydrated from diarrhea or throwing up. Once you st
One of the most common causes for abdominal pain in children is the stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis (gas-tro-in-ter-I-tis). It’s usually caused by bacteria or a virus and may cause your child to vomit, have diarrhea, a fever, or all of those symptoms. The symptoms will probably last for several days and disappear on their own. Bed rest and plenty of liquids are usually the recommended treatment. The appetite should come back after a day or so of feeling better. After a day or two of vomiting and diarrhea, children, especially those under six months of age, often become dehydrated. Look for eyes that appear sunken in, dry skin, or skin that wrinkles easily. Also be careful if your child’s not urinating very much or if the mouth is dry. These can be additional symptoms of dehydration and should be tended to immediately. Contact a healthcare provider for more information about the stomach flu or dehydration.
