The medical term for stomach flu is viral gastroenteritis. In the United States there are about 50,000 Americans who are hospitalized every year for stomach flu and stomach flu symptoms. The most common cause for stomach flu is the rotavirus and other well-known stomach flu viruses. The stomach flu is very contagious. It is common to see concentrated outbreaks of the stomach flu in schools, on cruise ship’s, college dorms, hospitals, close quartered business offices and long-term care facilities.
Stomach flu symptoms can make the person very miserable. Stomach flu symptoms are characterized by intense burning pains in the stomach, muscle aches and pains, cramps and chills, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, fever, dizziness and extreme fatigue. It can be difficult to tell the difference between stomach flu and a case of food poisoning. Stomach flu symptoms and food poisoning symptoms are very similar. Sometimes people who have food poisoning think that they have the stomach flu. Other times people may actually have the stomach flu but think that they have food poisoning. However stomach flu is caused by being exposed to certain known stomach flu viruses, but food poisoning is caused by eating foods contaminated with bacteria.
The vomiting and diarrhea that occur with the stomach flu does not usually contain blood. Stomach flu symptoms typically begin one or two days after being exposed to a particular stomach flu causing virus by contact with another infected person. Stomach flu symptoms can last up to 3 days depending on which virus you have been exposed to. Food poisoning symptoms develop in as little as 1 to 2 hours after eating contaminated food. You can also develop symptoms of food poisoning up to 48 hours after you have eaten bad food. Food poisoning symptoms usually only lasts from 12 to 48 hours.
The treatment for stomach flu is lots of bed rest, lots of fluids and analgesics when needed. Stomach flu symptoms, like fever and muscle cramps, can be relieved by taking Tylenol. Stomach flu symptoms of dehydration are usually caused by vomiting and diarrhea and extensive fluid loss they cause. You can relieve symptoms of dehydration by making sure you drink enough water and other liquids. The stomach flu symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting should be allowed to continue. This is the body’s way of getting rid of the virus. Most doctors say that nothing really should be taken to stop diarrhea and vomiting when you have the stomach flu. However there is one exception. The exception is to relieve dehydration when the person cannot hold down enough fluids and becomes dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration are lightheadedness and dizziness as well as a dry mouth and chapped lips and feelings or thirst. Anti-diarrhea medication can then be used to stop diarrhea to help restore the fluid balance in the body.
There are various homeopathic remedies that alternative medical practitioners may advise that you can take for stomach flu symptoms. For instance, arsenicum album can be taken for vomiting, diarrhea and exhaustion. For dizziness, headache, nausea and stomach pain you can take Byronia. Both of these can be found at your local health food and vitamin stores. You can also find them online. Homeopathic medicine is very beneficial for stomach flu symptoms for a lot of people.
Stomach flu is not the same kind of flu that people take flu shots for every winter. Stomach flu and stomach flu symptoms involve the stomach area and intestines, while influenza affects the respiratory tract, lungs, head and sinuses. Stomach flu symptoms begin to exhibit themselves after you have physical contact with an infected person. For instance, shaking someone’s hand, drinking from the same glass or sharing food with an infected person can transmit the virus from them to you. Once you have contact with the stomach flu virus it travels to the stomach and intestines. The virus then causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines which causes vomiting and diarrhea.
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