Fighting the Stomach Flu
The norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It is more commonly referred to as the stomach flu or stomach bug. You can get norovirus illness many times in your life because there are several different types of noroviruses. Infection with one type of norovirus may not protect you against other types, but it is possible to develop immunity or protection against certain noroviruses. However, it is not known how long immunity lasts. For the purpose of this blog post, we will be referring to norovirus as the stomach flu.
What are the symptoms of the stomach flu?
The most common stomach flu symptoms are: diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, and body aches. If you have the stomach flu, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children and older adults.
What Is The Incubation Period of the stomach flu?
A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to stomach flu with most individuals getting better within 1 to 3 days.
How does the stomach flu spread?
The stomach flu spreads very quickly and easily in many ways. A person can shed billions of norovirus particles that can’t be seen without a microscope. Only a few norovirus particles are necessary to make other people sick. Accidentally getting tiny particles of norovirus from an infected person in your mouth is a common cause of getting ill. This can happen if you: eat food or drink liquids contaminated with norovirus, touch surfaces contaminated with norovirus and touch your mouth, and have direct contact with someone who is ill. A person is most contagious when they have symptoms of the illness, and during the first few days after recovering from being sick. However, studies have shown that you can still spread the stomach flu for two weeks or more after recovering from symptoms.
The stomach flu can also be spread through contaminated water.
How Can I Prevent The Stomach Flu?
Use proper hand hygiene, and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. It is best to wash hands: after changing a diaper, after using the restroom, and before eating, preparing, and handling food.
It is also important to handle food properly. Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating them. Be aware that noroviruses are relatively resistant to heat. They can survive temperatures as high as 145°F.
Clean and disinfect surfaces, especially around those that may be ill. Washing laundry throughly is also important.
How Do I treat the stomach flu?
There is no specific medicine to treat the stomach flu. However, drinking plenty of fluids to replenish liquid lost from diarrhea and vomiting is very important to prevent dehydration. Herbal popsicles or teas are great ways to increase fluid intake.
Supportive Care For the stomach flu
Ginger
Ginger is useful for any digestive related condition, particularly vomiting and nausea. However, it has also shown to be effective for diarrhea and can be taken liberally in the diet or through specific supplements with a dose of 1-2g/day.
Fennel
Fennel has been used traditionally for digestive complaints and is a key ingredient in the popular colic remedy Gripe Water. In studies, as a component of a holistic routine, fennel has been shown to be effective at reducing feelings of nausea.
Chamomile
Chamomile is useful as a digestive aid and can help alleviate nausea which arises from overeating, digestive complaints, or mild forms of food poisoning. It can be ingested in an after dinner tea for prevention, but stronger herbal preparations are ideal for treatment.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Inhalation of essential oils in clinical research often produces varying results, with ingestion typically being the most effective approach. However, with peppermint essential oil, research is fairly consistent demonstrating that inhalation reduces feelings of nausea.
Blackberry Leaf
Blackberry leaves (not the berries) contain astringent actions which stop diarrhea and alleviate some other digestive concerns. It is best ingested in a tea form, as needed.
REFERENCES
Briggs, P., Hawrylack, H., & Mooney, R. (2016). Inhaled peppermint oil for postop nausea in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Nursing2016, 46(7), 61-67.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Norovirus [Fact Sheet]. National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Viral Diseases. https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html
Lindblad, A. J., & Koppula, S. (2016). Ginger for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Canadian Family Physician, 62(2), 145.
Lete, I., & Allué, J. (2016). The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy. Integrative medicine insights, 11, 11.
Valussi, M. (2012). Functional foods with digestion-enhancing properties. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 63(sup1), 82-89.
Westphal, J., Hörning, M., & Leonhardt, K. (1996). Phytotherapy in functional upper abdominal complaints: results of a clinical study with a preparation of several plants. Phytomedicine, 2(4), 285-291.