Dealing With Stomach Bugs in The Warmer Weather

Stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis or a stomach bug, is not caused by the influenza virus, despite what the name suggests. Gastroenteritis is a catch-all term for inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract caused by several viruses, including norovirus and rotavirus. A stomach bug can infect anyone at any age and is debilitating enough to warrant a few days off work or school. In most cases, viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious, so it is always a good idea to talk to one of Prime Medic’s online doctors for a medical certificate. This will allow you to take time off work or school without fear of negative repercussions.

What is a stomach bug?

A highly contagious disease, stomach bugs are spread through contact with an infected person, surface or object. It is an infection that causes inflammation in the lining of the gastrointestinal system. Stomach bugs can be caused by a number of viruses, although norovirus and rotavirus are the most common causes. Gastroenteritis is extremely common in children, partly because daycare centres and schools offer the perfect conditions for spreading the disease and partly because young children are not always careful about their hygiene habits.

What are the symptoms of stomach bugs?

Stomach bugs, although a temporary condition, can leave a person feeling weak, fatigued and dehydrated. Here are some of the most common symptoms of stomach flu:

• Diarrhea which is often watery. Bloody diarrhea is a sign of a more severe infection, which may not always be a stomach bug.
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Low-grade fever
• Headaches and muscle pains
• Stomach cramps

Because the symptoms of stomach bugs are very similar to those of food poisoning, the two are often confused together. In either case, as soon as you start showing symptoms, it is best to get a doctor's certificate and stay home until your symptoms disappear. You may not even be able to get much work done when you’re getting up every few minutes to run to the bathroom!

How long do stomach bugs last?

Typically, you may start showing symptoms within 1 to 3 days of being infected. Mild symptoms may last up to 14 days, but in most cases, they disappear within a day or two. You may be contagious for as long as two weeks after infection, depending on the virus causing your infection. It is advisable to stay at home for at least 48 hours after your last vomit or diarrhea, especially for children heading to school or daycare.

How do I prevent stomach bugs?

The best way to prevent getting infected by a stomach bug is to pay attention to the following:

• Get your children vaccinated. In most states of Australia, children get vaccinated against rotavirus during their routine immunisations.
• Maintain good hygiene habits and encourage your children to do so too. Most stomach bugs are spread through contact with infected people, surfaces and objects, so regularly washing your hands, especially after using the toilet or changing diapers and before preparing and eating food can be a game-changer in keeping stomach flu out of the house.
• Wash all vegetables and fruit before eating them.
• Avoid people who have known cases of stomach flu.
• Use hand sanitiser regularly and disinfect all hard surfaces, especially if someone in your house has viral gastroenteritis.
• When travelling, ensure you only drink from safe water sources such as bottled mineral water and always avoid ice cubes.
• Ensure all meat and fish are thoroughly cooked, especially when travelling and eating outside.
• Avoid buffets, ready-made salads and raw foods like sushi, sashimi and oysters.

What helps viral gastroenteritis?

If you or a loved one is suffering from viral gastroenteritis, the best thing you can do is to increase the intake of fluids to prevent dehydration and get plenty of rest. In most cases, home treatment is adequate for treating stomach flu. Here are some other steps to take to help settle your stomach:

• Avoid taking solid food that is too sugary, greasy or spicy for a day or two. Soups, broths and easily digestible meals like crackers, oats and rice will help you regain strength and keep food in.
• If you cannot keep anything down, even water, try sucking on ice chips or taking very small sips of water often. The key is to prevent getting dehydrated, as diarrhea and vomiting can both suck vital fluids out of the body.
• Get plenty of rest. This is not a time to be going grocery shopping or make visits to the gym. The laundry can wait.
• Avoid alcohol, and caffeinated drinks and increase your intake of electrolytes.

When to get in touch with a Prime Medic doctor:

If your infant under 6 months contracts gastroenteritis, it is important to get in touch with a doctor for further assessment immediately. Dehydration in newborns can be dangerous, so you should always look for signs of dehydration in sick infants and children. These include:

• a dry mouth
• crying without tears
• fewer wet nappies (call your doctor immediately if your baby hasn’t urinated in more than 6 hours)
• sunken soft spot (fontanel)

Book a same-day appointment with one of our AHPRA registered doctors immediately if your baby shows any of the above signs, as well as frequent vomiting, bloody stools or severe diarrhea, or if your baby or child is unusually sleepy or drowsy.

For adults, it is imperative to get in touch with a doctor if:

• You are unable to keep anything down, even liquids for more than 24 hours
• Your vomit or stool has blood in it
• You have been vomiting or having diarrhea for more than 48 hours
• You have a fever above 40°C
• You are showing signs of severe dehydration.

Additionally, most workplaces require you to submit a doctor’s certificate if you take more than 2 days off work, which Prime Medic’s online doctors can also help with.