Dear Dr. Deena,
I have constant vomiting and feel very sick. My doctor said I have the stomach flu? What is that?
KC
What a great question, KC! These symptoms you mention are quite common during this time of the year due to the stomach flu.
Before I begin, I should mention that its often very difficult to know if you have the stomach flu versus food poisoning since the symptoms are quite similar. A doctor can help flesh out the diagnosis with a detailed history and evaluation. Luckily, both illnesses are treated similarly with following 4 key steps:
-Complete rest
-Rest for your gut with minimal solid foods (listen to your body, if its not ready for solids..continue with liquids)
-Hydration, hydration, hydration!
-Constant washing of hands with soap and water to avoid infecting others
The Norovirus is the virus that causes
what is commonly known as the “stomach flu” (not to be confused with the “seasonal
flu” caused by the Influenza virus).
Norovirus is the most common cause of
gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and/or intestines) in the USA.
According to the CDC – the Norovirus infects over 21 million people and
contributes to about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths each year.
The virus is highly contagious and can infect anyone. Norovirus is found in the vomit and stool of infected people.
The
virus is spread in the following ways:
-direct contact with an infected person's vomit and/or stool
-eating food
or drinking liquids contaminated with the virus
- touching contaminated surfaces and then
putting ones fingers in the mouth
The foods commonly involved in outbreaks
include leafy greens (like lettuce, spinach, etc.), fresh fruits, and shellfish
(oysters, clams, etc.).
Symptoms related to the Norovirus include 1 or more of the following:
- -stomach cramps
- -abdominal pain
- -nausea
- -vomiting
- -diarrhea
- -fevers/chills
- -fatigue
- -muscle aches
Symptoms generally last for
2-3 days.
Those who develop the symptoms mentioned above must be very careful to
prevent dehydration given the amount of fluid that is lost through vomiting and
diarrhea.
Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness and lightheadedness
(especially when changing positions from sitting to standing), extreme thirst, and/or decreased urination.
Patients must take
proper care to avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids and should consider drinking fluids with
electrolyte repletion (like Gatorade, Powerade, or Pedialyte) to replenish
those electrolytes and minerals lost with extreme cases of vomiting and diarrhea.
I will blog more on the best drinks for dehydration tomorrow!
There is no treatment for Norovirus. Antibiotics are not
effective, since antibiotics treat bacterial infections and this is a viral
infection. There is no vaccination to protect against this virus either, though it is currently being researched.
The main way
we can prevent transmission is by:
- -washing our hands with soap and water
(especially after using the bathroom and before eating)
- -washing all fruits and vegetables before consumption
- -cooking seafood thoroughly
- -cleaning and disinfecting all areas that have been
contaminated by stool or vomit with a chlorine bleach solution
- -avoiding preparing food for others until symptoms have completely resolved.
Below is a timeline for the Norovirus infection, courtesy of
the American Pediatrics Association:
As you can see symptoms develop quickly after exposure (even within 12 hours).
You are most contagious when you feel sick, but what many people don't realize is that you are still contagious even when you are feeling well.
My advice is to take proper precautions and avoid contact when possible with people you are worried about getting sick (elderly individuals, babies, those with weakened immune systems, etc.) until you feeling 100% normal again.
Data suggests that we continue to shed the virus 2 weeks after the initial infection.....which means you are still contagious....so please keep washing your hands!!
Hope this information helps!
For easy healthy recipes & wellness tips, follow me on Instragram or Twitter @Doctor_Deena!
Please continue to email me your questions at DoctorDeenaMD@gmail.com.
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