By Staff Writer

Acute viral gastroenteritis or stomach flu occurs when the digestive tract is infected with a virus called the "rotavirus."  A person can be infected with stomach flu when he ingests contaminated food or water, or comes into contact with any contaminated surface.  Stomach flu often occurs in children and symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and the occasional watery diarrhea, manifest only after two days from being contaminated.  There is no actual treatment for stomach flu, since it is considered to be a self-limited illness lasting only a few days.  But to be able to alleviate pain and discomfort from the symptoms, take note of these tips:

  • Detection.  The key to treating any ailment is early detection.  Once any of the symptoms manifests, quickly take note of them and consult your doctor right away.
  • Drink plenty of liquids.  Several bouts of vomiting and watery diarrhea can render you dehydrated, which could lead to several complications if not prevented.  Drink plenty of fruit juices and water to replace all the water that has been flushed out of your body.  Your body requires water to function, and dehydration could lead to other problems.  Deaths by stomach flu are rare, but may occur in elderly persons with chronic illnesses aggravated by dehydration.
  • Oral Rehydration Solution.  While water and fruit juices are good replacements for the water you've flushed out, your doctor may ask you to take oral rehydration solutions, which replace the electrolytes lost through watery diarrhea.  Oral rehydration solutions may come in powder form which you can simply add to normal water before drinking.
  • Take a rest.  Sometimes physical activity can aggravate the symptoms of stomach flu, so be sure to rest and avoid doing strenuous activities.  Give your body a chance to recover and heal by itself.  If you have work, call in sick for the next few days until you have completely recovered. 
  • Eat a healthy diet.  While there are no specific treatments to eliminating your stomach flu, minerals and nutrients that come from healthy food can help your body heal itself faster.  Stock up on fruits, vegetables and healthy soups and as much as possible, avoid high-calorie and high-cholesterol foods.
  • Limit the spread.  The virus causing stomach flu is very contagious because it is contained in very high amounts.  So make sure that your other family members take necessary precautions in order to limit the spread of the virus.  The rotavirus can be passed onto any person who touches a contaminated surface, or is around the time an infected person vomits or excretes fecal matter, since this is where the virus usually resides.

In treating an ailment, the old adage still rings true:  Prevention is better than cure.  So make sure to clean up around the house and make sure that you're eating clean and healthy meals every day.  With regular exercise and a proper diet, you'll build your immune system strong enough to fight any virus.