How To Get Rid Of The Stomach Flu: 7 Home Remedies
Youre vomiting. You cant stop going to the bathroom. Youre exhausted and all this terribleness just seems to have come out of nowhere. Could it be the stomach flu? If it is, you probably want to know how to get rid of the stomach flu fast!
If you have the stomach flu, it likely may have been caused by norovirus, which is especially known for infecting people in the colder months of the year. This winter vomiting bug, or stomach flu, is known by doctors for being a family affair. In other words, if one person in the family gets it, most likely every family member in the household will get it because its that contagious!
How do you get rid of the stomach flu? Thankfully, many people with the stomach flu feel better within 24 hours. And luckily there are a lot of great natural ways to boost your recovery from a nasty case of stomach flu.
How Can I Help My Child
If your child gets the flu:
- Offer plenty of liquids. Fever and appetite loss are common with the flu, and can lead to dehydration.
- Encourage your child to rest in bed or on the couch with a supply of magazines, books, quiet music, and perhaps a favorite movie.
- Dress your child in layers that are easy to add and remove during bouts of chills or fever.
- Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and aches.
- You can give over-the-counter cough or cold medicines to children over 6 years old if your doctor says it’s OK. Follow the package instructions carefully so you give the right amount. Do not give these medicines to children under 6 years old because they can cause bad reactions.
- Running a cool-mist humidifier can help relieve coughs and runny or stuffy noses. Clean it after each use or at least once a day.
- Honey can help loosen a stubborn cough in children older than 12 months of age. Give 12 teaspoons of honey at night. Do not give honey to children under 12 months old.
- For a stuffy nose:
- For babies: Put a few drops of saline into the nose, then gently suction the mucus out with a bulb syringe. Do this no more than 23 times a day so that the inside of your baby’s nose does not get swollen or sore.
- For older kids: Give 2 sprays of saline nose spray 3 times a day.
If your doctor prescribes medicine to ease symptoms, call the pharmacist before you go to pick it up. In a severe flu season, some pharmacies might have trouble keeping the medicines in stock.
- feel better
Treatment In Residential Aged Care Facilities
From mid-May 2022, packs of the prescription-only medication, Tamiflu , an oral antiviral used to treat and prevent influenza A and B infections, are being sent to residential aged care facilities in a one-off pre-placement.
This stock is being pre-placed to ensure access to supplies at the commencement of this years flu season.
Information for aged care providers
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How To Prevent Catching The Flu
Flu cannot be prevented entirely however, the following 11 tips may help:
No : Don’t Fly Unless Necessary
There’s no point adding stress to your already stressed-out upper respiratory system, and that’s what the change in air pressure will do. Flying with cold or flu congestion can hurt your eardrums as a result of pressure changes during takeoff and landing. If you must fly, ask your doctor about using a and carry a nasal spray with you to use just before takeoff and landing. Chewing gum and swallowing frequently can also help relieve pressure.
Remember, serious conditions can masquerade as the common cold and a mild infection can evolve into something more serious. If you have severe symptoms or are feeling sicker with each passing day or must travel, see a doctor.
Show Sources
SOURCES: Centers for Disease Control: ”Symptom Relief.” American Academy of Family Physicians: ”Colds and the Flu.” Charles B. Inlander, author, 77 Ways to Beat Cold and Flu.
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I Think I Have Influenza Should I See A Doctor
Anyone at a higher risk of serious illness with flu-like symptoms should see their doctor as soon as possible.
Most people who are generally healthy wont need to see their doctor for the flu. As symptoms of the flu are similar to COVID-19, talk to your doctor about testing for COVID-19 infection.
If you have the flu, try to rest, maintain a good fluid intake, and manage your symptoms. This will help you recover and prevent dehydration. Your immune system will fight the infection and symptoms will usually clear up on their own.
If you do need to see a GP for your symptoms, make sure you call ahead first so they can make sure theres no one in an at-risk group around when you have your appointment.
How To Get Rid Of The Flu In 24 Hours
As I always try to find the positive side of everything, getting the Flu is always a great excuse to use my Amethyst Biomat.
This full-body infrared heating mat is, in my experience, the best way to stop the cold or Flu dead in its tracks.
If you dont have a fever, lying down on the Biomat for a couple of hours, enjoying the relaxing and detoxing heat and light, feels like heaven and can prevent the full-week-misery-journey altogether.
Here are the other simple methods I use to get rid of the Flu naturally and fast:
1. Stop working or doing house chores now.
In fact, stay home and do nothing but resting or sleeping. If you are serious about exterminating the Flu in 24 hours, remove other obstacles in front of your immune system and let your body focus on healing only.
Rest and sleep as much as you can.
2. Drinkwater the minute you feel the first sign of a cold or Flu, start drinking a lot of water up to a gallon and a half for an adult. Drink plenty of fluids, see the next tip for the best options.
3. Hot Fluids and Chicken Soup/Bone broth hot fluids, such as hot water with lemon and honey, herbal teas and lots of homemade chicken soupor bone broth help the bodys immune system and stop the proliferation of the Flu virus.
But:
One cup of tea is not enough. sip the stuff continuously until you cant even look at it anymore.
If you suffer from a sore throat see how to make your own 100% natural sore throat spray in 5 minutes!
Garlic Tea Instructions:
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Know When To Get Emergency Care For Serious Flu Symptoms
Most likely, Steps 1-5 will be all you need to get over the flu. But influenza is a serious illness, so its important to watch for more serious symptoms.
Go to the emergency room if you, your child or another loved one is experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion or worse-than-normal mental function
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Loss of appetite or refusal to eat or drink
Children especially infants and toddlers can experience other unique symptoms that can indicate something more serious is going on. Go to the nearest emergency room if your child:
- Is less than 3 months old and has a fever of above 100.4°F
- Is between 3 months old and 3 years old, has a fever of above 100.4°F, and is showing signs of dehydration
- Has a fever with a rash
- Has skin or lips that have turned gray or blue
- Is extremely irritable
- Not waking up or interacting with you
Flu Or Food Poisoning
There are many types of viruses, and some can affect the digestive system. People sometimes call this stomach flu. This illness is different from influenza, which is a respiratory disease.
The most common cause of stomach flu is the norovirus, which enters the body through contaminated food or drink. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Food poisoning causes similar symptoms.
Is it a stomach virus or food poisoning? Find out here.
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Fda Approved Drugs For Influenza
There are four FDA-approved influenza antiviral drugs recommended by CDC for use against recently circulating influenza viruses.
Two older drugs, amantadine and rimantadine historically have been approved for treatment and prevention of influenza A virus infection. But many strains of influenza virus, including the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, are now resistant to these drugs. CDC has not recommended the use of amantadine and rimantadine for recently circulating influenza viruses, although recommendations could change if there were future re-emergence of specific virus strains with susceptibility patterns favoring such use.
Bonus Step: Get Your Annual Flu Shot This Year And Every Year
There are many reasons why you should get a flu shot, even if youve heard any flu shot myths to the contrary. When you get a flu shot, youre up to 60% less likely to get the flu, according to the CDC. And studies also show that if you do get sick with the flu, your symptoms will be less severe and youre less likely to need hospital care to recover.
Flu shots are typically available starting in early September, and its highly recommended that everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated by the end of October. Its safe to get the flu shot while pregnant, so pregnant people particularly those in the third trimester of pregnancy should receive a flu shot as soon as the vaccine becomes available.
For kids between 6 months and 8 years old, whove never been vaccinated against the flu before, two doses will be needed. Its a good idea to plan to get the first dose as soon as the vaccine is available so the second dose can be received by the end of October. If kids have had a flu shot before, just one dose is needed.
Getting a flu shot is quick and easy. All you need to do is make a flu shot appointment at a time and clinic location that is most convenient for you. Since the shot takes just a couple minutes to prepare and administer, youll be in and out.
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Lifestyle Tips For Avoiding Flu
Tips for avoiding infection include:
- practicing good hygiene, including frequent hand washing
- keeping the immune system strong by following a healthful diet
- quitting or avoiding smoking, as smokers are more likely to develop complications
- staying away from people who have the flu
People should also stay away from others when they have the flu to avoid spreading it themselves.
for more information on how to avoid flu.
up to 6 feet away from them when they cough, sneeze, talk, or breathe.
A healthy individual can pass on the virus a day before they, themselves, have symptoms. In other words, it is possible to pass on the flu before you know you have it. The infected individual can continue to transmit the virus for up to 57 days after symptoms appear.
People with a weakened immune system, older people, and young children may be able to pass on the virus for longer than this.
Flu is most contagious in the first 34 days after symptoms appear.
A person can develop flu symptoms if droplets that contain the virus and come from the breath of another person enter their mouth, nose, or lungs.
This transmission if:
- Someone without the virus is near a person with flu.
- Someone who is virus free handles an object a person with the virus has touched and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes.
Research shows that just breathing can spread the flu virus. Learn more here.
For flu, this is , but it can vary from 1 to 4 days.
A person can transmit the virus even before symptoms appear.
Preventing The Stomach Flu
If you know the stomach flu is going around, take extra precautions. Avoid close contact with infected people if possible and wash your hands frequently.
Some basic ways to avoid getting the stomach flu include washing your hands regularly and getting plenty of rest. Here are additional methods of prevention:
- Use the dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand when possible.
- Use soap and water instead of hand sanitizer.
- Keep a sick family member isolated. Try to restrict them to one bathroom, and have the rest of the household use another.
- Wipe off shopping cart handles.
- Clean countertops and surfaces with a disinfectant spray, and be sure to wash clothes and bedding as well.
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Get Better Faster With Zinc
Zinc lozenges can help you feel better faster if you start taking them as soon as you feel fluish, says Neil Schachter, MD, medical director of the Mount SinaiNational Jewish Health Respiratory Institute in New York City and the author of The Good Doctor’s Guide to Colds & Flu. I recommend using one or two lozenges per day,” he says. Zinc may help boost immunity, which can shorten the duration or severity of the flu, he explains. However, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health advises checking with your doctor or pharmacist first as zinc may interact with antibiotics and penicillamine, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Sleep As Much As Possible
Sleep is the best medicine for your body while fighting the flu. Watching TV curled up on the couch isnt a bad idea, but you shouldnt be binge-watching your favorite Netflix show all night long.
Go to bed earlier than usual and sleep in. You can also take a nap during the day to give your body more time to recover.
Rest and sleep also reduces your risk of serious flu complications, like pneumonia.
It can be difficult to sleep with a stuffy nose and cough. Try these tips to breathe easier and have a better nights sleep:
- Use an extra pillow to prop up your head and ease sinus pressure.
- Sleep with a humidifier or vaporizer in the room.
- Take a hot bath or shower before bed.
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What To Do To Cure The Flu: 3 Natural Tips To Relieve Your Symptoms
We are at the doors of a new vaccination campaign. And it is that, every year, between the months of October and November begins known as anti-flu vaccination campaign, which consists of administering the flu vaccine to certain groups considered as “risk”, who have the risk of suffering complications in case of suffering from the flu, and especially by people who are in contact with these groups high-risk.
Thus, for example, vaccination is recommended for people older than or equal to 65 years, people under 5 years of age who have a high risk of complications from the flu and those who can transmit it to others who have a high risk of presenting complications
But we must bear in mind that the virus causing this respiratory infection is capable of suffering variations in its surface antigens, which imply the appearance of new viruses. Therefore, the vaccine must be updated every new season, and administered annually.
Ask Your Doctor About Antiviral Drugs
Antiviral drugs are only available by prescription, so you must see a doctor first. These medications are typically reserved for people who are at high risk of developing complications from the flu.
These drugs prevent the virus from growing and replicating. They work best if you take them within 48 hours of having symptoms.
You may want to ask a doctor for a prescription antiviral if you:
- are under age 5
- are 18 or under and taking aspirin- or salicylate-containing medications
- are at least 65
- are pregnant or have given birth in the last two weeks
- have a chronic medical condition or youre taking other medications that weaken your immune system
- live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- are Native American
- are extremely obese, with a body mass index of at least 40
The antiviral medication most commonly prescribed is oseltamivir . In October 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved baloxavir marboxil , a new antiviral for people ages 12 and older.
Taking antiviral medications within two days of the onset of symptoms may reduce both the duration of the flu by about one day and the severity of symptoms.
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Stomach Flu Causes And Risk Factors
What are stomach flu causes? A number of different viruses can cause viral gastroenteritis or stomach flu including noroviruses and rotaviruses. First, lets talk about the norovirus, which is said to be the number one cause of viral gastroenteritis in children and adults. If your stomach flu is caused by the norovirus, then the period during which you are contagious starts from the time you start to feel sick up until three days after you are better with some individuals being contagious as long as two weeks following their recovery. The norovirus causes stomach flu symptoms within a day or two of being exposed to the virus. On the plus side, most people who have the stomach flu due to norovirus feel better within 24 to 48 hours.
Another virus, the rotavirus, is the top cause of stomach flu in kids and infants, but it can also affect adults. Symptoms usually begin within one to three days of exposure. However, with this virus at the root, the stomach flu can be caught from someone before symptoms appear and even up to two weeks following recovery! Astrovirus and enteric adenovirus can also cause stomach flu.
How do you catch these viruses and end up with the stomach flu? The stool and vomit of infected individuals contain the viruses that cause stomach flu. The viruses that can cause a case of the stomach flu can easily spread from close contact with infected individuals through the following:
So how do you get rid of the stomach flu?