[/caption]GHN News - With
the winter travel, holidays and interactions of people, stomach flu
becomes a frequent complaint these days. So doctors and dentists are
giving advice. Here is some of it for you, if you are one of those
unlucky enough to have the stomach flu.
“This bug goes by a
lot of names. But whether you call it a stomach flu, a vomiting virus or
any other name, the fact is that if you get it you are going to feel
badly for a few days,” said Dr. Christopher Zipp, a family physician at
the UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine. “This virus causes nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, and head and muscle aches. Although
the virus itself most often is not a serious health threat, it can cause
serious complications like dehydration, which can be especially
dangerous for young children and older adults.”
These are the tips Dr. Zipp offers for getting through a bout with the ‘stomach flu.’
•
Drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration. Water or half-strength
juices are best. Avoid soda or sports drinks as they have little
nutritional value, but they can be given to individuals who cannot
tolerate the preferred liquids.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Take over-the-counter, non-aspirin pain relievers like acetaminophen for fever and body aches.
• Stay home until fully recovered. Sick individuals may continue to be contagious for up to 72 hours after they feel well again.
•
Practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus. Wash your
hands often and dispose of used tissues immediately. Wash soiled bed
linens or clothes separately from other laundry.
“Keep in mind
that this illness is caused by a virus. Antibiotics, which work against
bacterial infections, will not help you to recover,” Dr. Zipp added.
“Most people will begin to feel better after a couple of days, but don’t
hesitate to contact your physician if you or a family member
experiences extreme symptoms, such as uncontrolled vomiting or a high
fever that persists and does not respond to over-the-counter
medications.”
