What should I avoid eating if I have viral gastroenteritis?
What you eat won't improve stomach flu, but it can make it worse. Foods high in fat, sugar, caffeine or dairy milk might make you more likely to throw up or have diarrhea. You might have little appetite or feel nauseous at the thought of food.
Avoid milk and dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods for a few days. Get plenty of rest. The illness and dehydration can make you weak and tired.
Stop eating solid foods for a few hours. Try sucking on ice chips or taking small sips of water often. You might also try drinking clear soda, clear broths or noncaffeinated sports drinks. In some cases you can try oral rehydration solutions.
You can treat stomach bugs at home by making sure your child keeps drinking fluids and gets plenty of rest. The best way to keep your child well hydrated is with an electrolyte-containing solution such as Pedialyte®. Have your child take small sips frequently — meaning every five minutes or so — throughout the day.
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A mild stomach ache can often be managed at home with simple remedies. Encourage your child to rest, which relaxes the digestive system. Hydration is essential, so provide small sips of water or clear broths. For older children, a warm heating pad on the belly can help soothe discomfort.
If you want your sickness to pass quickly, you need to give your body plenty of rest. Sleep as much as you can and take it easy throughout the day. While you have a stomach bug, you should be lying or sitting down as much as possible. Take it easy and give your body time to rest.
Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after you're infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may last up to 14 days.
Hydrating with clear liquids such as water, Gatorade, diluted apple juice, Sprite, and ginger ale are highly recommended. Wash your hands with hot water and soap after using the restroom to prevent the spread of infection. Hand sanitizer may not be effective in killing the virus that causes gastrointestinal symptoms.
When you have viral gastroenteritis, you should drink plenty of liquids to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. You may vomit after you eat or lose your appetite for a short time.
In The Article
Not likely to help. “Many people stand by ginger ale as a remedy for nausea, but in truth, it doesn't contain enough real ginger to actually settle your stomach any better than other clear liquids,” Dr. Lipold reports. “And the carbonation can make bloating, gas and indigestion worse.”
Signs and symptoms of norovirus infection may start suddenly and include:
Certain foods that make an upset stomach worse
Some people with chronic stomach discomfort are more sensitive to certain foods like dairy, spicy foods, soda, fried foods or alcohol.
Q: How can I tell if it's food poisoning or a stomach bug? Food poisoning often comes on quickly—usually within a few hours after eating contaminated food. A stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) usually develops more gradually, with symptoms appearing 1–2 days after exposure to an infected person or surface.
Gastroenteritis is often mistaken for stomach flu although it is actually an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Symptoms of gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever and chills. Most people recover with no treatment.
If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration (loss of body fluids), especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses.
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Rest and sleep are mainstays for your body to recuperate. Try to remain in bed and make sure you're taking it easy. “Generally by day two or three, you may start feeling hungry if your nausea has improved,” says Dr. Wong. “It's a good sign that your body is recovering.”
Urgent care providers may order tests, such as a stool sample, to determine the cause of the stomach flu, particularly if there is concern about a bacterial infection rather than a virus. Treatment at urgent care may include: IV fluids for dehydration.
Peppermint tea is known for its ability to calm the stomach and relieve digestive issues. Other home solutions like ginger tea, chamomile tea, or warm lemon water can also help alleviate tummy aches. These herbal teas not only have a soothing effect on the stomach, but also aid in digestion and reduce bloating.
Symptoms associated with abdominal pain
Call your doctor if you have severe stomach pain, sharp stomach pain, if your stomach pain does not improve in 24 to 48 hours or if you also have: Chest pain (get prompt medical attention) Bloating or swelling that lasts more than a few days.
Liquids You May Give
Clear liquids include lemonade, fruit juices without pulp (cranberry, cranapple, or apple juice), and popsicles. The popsicles must be free from cream, pudding, yogurt, or bits of fruit. Your child may need to drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS) like Pedialyte®.