Treatments for Intestinal Flu

Intestinal flu, also called gastric flu, is not actually caused by a flu virus at all. In fact, it is an indication of gastrointestinal distress, usually caused by some type of infection in the intestinal area. Generally, it can be treated at home, but especially if a child comes down with this type of "flu," you will need to monitor her carefully to make sure that she recovers as quickly as possible.

Significance

If you have intestinal flu, then you do not actually have a flu virus. Generally, you actually have a bacterial infection in your intestinal area. Occasionally this type of stomach ailment can actually be an indication of a severe food allergy or even, in rare cases, colorectal cancer.

Function

The main function of nearly all forms of treatment for intestinal flu is to keep the patient hydrated. Because intestinal flu is accompanied mainly by vomiting and diarrhea, it is easy to become dehydrated, which can cause much more severe problems and even be fatal. Generally, you should drink plenty of water and watered-down juice to stay hydrated. Sip it rather than chugging it so that you do not set off a bout of vomiting. In addition, keep a blanket on hand so that you can easily cover and uncover since you may experience some chills.

Types

There are several ways that you can treat intestinal flu. The first is to stay hydrated. You also should stay in bed to give your body a chance to rest up and fight off the internal infection. In addition, you may want to take an over-the-counter pain reliever for muscle aches and headaches. If your symptoms become more severe or you cannot keep any liquids down, then you will run the risk of severe dehydration. You may need to go to the hospital to receive fluids intravenously. Occasionally, a doctor will prescribe an antibiotic if he believes that the intestinal flu may be caused by a bacterial infection.

Time Frame

Generally, intestinal flu lasts around 48 hours. In adults, the vomiting and diarrhea will subside after 24-36 hours, while in children it may last the entire 48 hours. If your intestinal flu symptoms persist longer than 48 hours, you need to consult a physician to make sure that you do not have other problems that are making you ill. A child with intestinal flu should always be examined by a physician to insure that a "stomach bug" is really the only problem.

Misconceptions

There are several important misconceptions about intestinal flu. The most common is that it is something that some people are just susceptible to. If you consistently experience intestinal flu symptoms even though you treat them, then you may have a variety of other digestive problems, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or even types of cancer.
Also, regarding treatments, many people think that drinking sports drinks will help them hydrate more effectively when they are sick. However, sports drinks do not replace the vitamins and minerals that you are losing through dehydration, and the sugar can actually set off your stomach again and induce vomiting or more diarrhea. It is better to stick to juice and water.

Prevention/Solution

The best way to avoid getting intestinal flu is to use good personal hygiene habits. Wash your hands regularly, sanitize household surfaces and keep fingers out of noses, eyes and other orifices. Do not share drinks or food, and avoid contact with other people who already have intestinal flu.