When one has stomach flu, it can be a really uncomfortable few days. Symptoms range from nausea and vomiting to diarrhea and fever. Other symptoms include headache, sore throat, and congestion. One might also have a sore mouth or dry eyes and these are some of the elements which are observed. It usually takes about two days to get over the stomach flu. But it can last up to seven days if you’re not feeling better after two days. It can be hard to tell what one has when they are sick with the stomach flu because the symptoms are similar to other illnesses like food poisoning or viral gastroenteritis. Here are some ways to know for sure if one has stomach flu or something else.
Signs of Stomach Flu
The stomach flu is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. If one has these symptoms for more than two days, then it’s probably the stomach flu. They’ll also have a fever that can range from 101 to 104 degrees and a sore throat and congestion.
If one has the stomach flu, they might experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache, sore throat, congestion or a sore mouth. One may be sick for at least two days and up to seven days if it doesn't go away that long. If one has any of these symptoms after eating an undercooked hamburger or another food that was contaminated with E. coli bacteria, for instance, they should know for sure if they have stomach flu or something else.
If the symptoms are consistent with the stomach flu but get better after two days, it could be something different like food poisoning or viral gastroenteritis instead. But if the symptoms continue for more than two days without improving significantly by day three, it could be the stomach flu and not something else.
Common Ways to Get Stomach Flu
There are different ways through which one can get stomach flu. Some of them are discussed below.
- By drinking contaminated water - Drinking contaminated water can cause stomach flu. The most common contaminants of the water are bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemicals.
- By eating contaminated food - Eating contaminated food can also cause stomach flu. Contaminated food can be anything that is grown in a field or manufactured in a place that is not clean or appropriately sanitized.
- By touching infected surfaces - Touching infected surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, and other objects that people use frequently can also cause stomach flu.
- By touching infected people - Touching infected people who have symptoms of stomach flu can also cause stomach flu to you if you do not practice proper hygiene.
Prevention and Treatment
One of the best ways to avoid stomach flu is to take preventive measures. Watch what one eats and drinks to reduce the risk of getting sick. Importantly, wash hands after every time one uses the bathroom. But avoid using antibacterial soap because it can actually increase the chances of getting sick.
If one gets the flu shot, there are some side effects that one should be aware of. These include soreness at the injection site, fever, tiredness, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
A stomach virus can leave an individual feeling less than the best for a few days, but there are ways to minimize any uncomfortable symptoms. To avoid getting sick, wash your hands regularly and stay away from anyone who's sick. If one contacts someone who has a stomach virus, try to wash their hands right away as this will be important in ensuring that they do not contract the illness.
If one has already contracted the stomach virus, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids is important. It may also help to take over-the-counter medicine to help relieve some of the aches. And remember to sleep as much as possible—even if one is feeling uncomfortable. The more rest one gets, the faster they’ll feel better!