People with weak immune systems may have a harder time fighting the virus than normal. Their symptoms may last longer than normal, and they also have a high risk for complications. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have any of those conditions and develop viral gastroenteritis.
When to see a doctor. If you're an adult, call your health care provider if: You're not able to keep liquids down for 24 hours. You've been vomiting or having diarrhea for more than two days.
If you have a stomach bug that is lasting for weeks (or months), it could be post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome.
How Long Does the Stomach Flu Last? Though it can feel endless, the worst part of the stomach flu rarely lasts longer than one to three days. However, symptoms can sometimes last for up to 10 days, and it can take a few weeks for your bowel habits to return to normal.
Drink plenty of liquid every day, taking small, frequent sips. Ease back into eating. As you're able, you can return to eating your normal diet. You might find that you can eat bland, easy-to-digest foods at first, such as soda crackers, soup, oats, noodles, bananas and rice.
Also referred to as the stomach flu, a stomach bug usually lasts only a day or two. However, some cases may last up to two weeks, which is why it's important to know as much as possible about this infection in case you or someone you know contracts it.
Soda crackers, toast, plain noodles, gelatin, eggs, applesauce, and bananas are good first choices. Avoid foods that are acidic, spicy, fatty, or fibrous (such as meats, coarse grains, vegetables). Also avoid dairy products. You may start eating these foods again in 3 days or so, when all signs of illness have passed.
Antibiotics work to cure some forms of bacterial gastroenteritis within a few days. You may need additional treatment to replace the fluids and electrolytes in your body. This will depend on the severity of your illness. In some cases, you may need IV fluid replacement.
Norovirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis. Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after you come into contact with the virus and last 1 to 3 days. rotavirus. Symptoms usually begin about 2 days after you come into contact with the virus and last for 3 to 8 days.
In most cases, people with viral gastroenteritis get better on their own without medical treatment. You can treat viral gastroenteritis by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. In some cases, over-the-counter medicines may help relieve your symptoms.
Grown-ups should contact a doctor if they're experiencing the following: For 24 hours, can't keep liquids down. Vomiting or diarrhea that lasts more than two days. Blood in vomit or bowel movements.
There's no medicine for stomach flu. Antibiotics don't work on viruses — they're for bacterial infections. The best thing you can do to help your immune system do its work is to stay home and rest, stay hydrated and eat a little if you can. Give your body the energy it needs to fight the infection.
There's not always a specific treatment, so you have to let the illness run its course. You don't usually need to get medical advice, unless your symptoms don't improve or there's a risk of a more serious problem. There are things you can do to help ease your symptoms.
The initial stages start with chills, fever, and nausea, which transition into vomiting, diarrhea, and aches and pains. It's awful, and there is no cure. Stomach flu has to run its course. The sickness usually passes in about 10 days without medication.
“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.” It's recommended to go on a bland diet with foods that are easier on your digestive system like BRAT, which stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
If the cause of your stomach illness is viral, the treatment is to increase fluids, replenish electrolytes, get rest, and take over-the-counter medicines to reduce fever while the virus runs its course. Most cases of the stomach flu resolve within a few days, though people can feel sick for as many as 10 days or more.
Stomach flu does not last very long in children or adults. It typically clears up within 2–8 days, depending on the virus that causes it. There are no formal treatments, but rest, fluids, and easy-to-digest foods can help ease the symptoms.
Rotavirus: This virus can last anywhere from three to eight days. 5. Enteric adenoviruses: In some cases, enteric adenovirus can take up to two weeks to resolve.
Bacterial and viral infections have similar symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but a stool test may distinguish between them.
An intestinal infection is an inflammation or irritation of the intestines. It may be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or other microorganisms. The symptoms of an intestinal infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and fatigue.
If you're looking for relief from tummy trouble, you may want to consider trying helpful bacteria and yeast called probiotics. Millions of friendly bacteria live in your intestines, and they're important for your digestion. But diarrhea can throw the microbes in your gut off balance.
An anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, good quality sleep, and probiotics are all strategies to put in place before trying antimicrobials or antibiotics to get rid of bad bacteria.