Cornell Gastroenteritis: Health (“Stomach Flu”)

Live Well to You were feeling fine, but suddenly everything Learn Well changed. Your stomach, your guts, your head, your body — everything started to rebel. Your Web: world shrinks to the path from your bed to the health.cornell.edu bathroom and back. You have gastroenteritis. Phone (24/7): 607-255-5155 What is gastroenteritis? Gastroenteritis is an irritation and inflammation Fax: of the stomach lining and intestines that causes 607-255-0269 vomiting and/or diarrhea. In most cases, it is Appointments: caused by a virus (in the U.S., usually a member Monday–Saturday of the norovirus family). Bacteria, toxins, and parasites also can cause gastroenteritis. eopleP Check web for hours, A “double-whammy” of vomiting & diarrhea is just no fun. services, providers, often attribute the cause to “something I ate;” however, true food poisoning is a rare occurrence. and appointment and diarrhea, it’s important to drink to replenish Illnesses with these symptoms are commonly information fluids. Review our suggestions for recovering from referred to as “stomach flu;” but it is not really the vomiting and/or diarrhea. 110 Ho Plaza, flu and is not caused by an influenza virus. Ithaca, NY When should I call for help? 14853-3101 How do people get infected? If your symptoms persist or worsen, you have Gastroenteritis can be very contagious. Direct contact with a person who is infected is a a fever over 100.5 °F degrees, or you have prime route for infection. Eating or drinking any questions or concerns about your health, contaminated food and water, or touching please consult with a health care provider contaminated surfaces or objects, and then who can evaluate your condition and make touching your face can spread infection. recommendations about the care you need. Students may call 607-255-5155 to talk with a What are the symptoms? Cornell Health nurse 24/7. Gastroenteritis usually is not serious,“ ” although people who are sick with it might not agree. What if I get sick? Symptoms usually come on suddenly. People You can decrease your (and others’) chance of get- often feel very sick with: ting sick by following these self-care steps: • nausea • Wash your hands — frequently — with soap • vomiting and water (alcohol-based hand sanitizers may • watery diarrhea with stomach cramps be a helpful addition, but should not be used There may also be: as a substitute in the case of gastroenteritis). Germs live in bathrooms, on door knobs, • chills railings, counter tops, desks, phones, etc., so • headache take care to clean those germs off your hands. • low-grade fever • muscle aches • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs move easily from surfaces to hands to • general sense of tiredness these gateways into the body. Viral infections anc last from a few hours to • Don’t share eating and drinking utensils, lip several days. On average they last 24 to 48 balm, etc. hours. Illness caused by other organisms, such as bacteria or parasites, can last over a week. • Avoid close contact with sick people. When you are sick, keep your distance from others. Is there any treatment? • Stay home from classes, work, social Unfortunately, antibiotics are ineffective against gatherings, errands, and non-essential activity viral illnesses. They may help in the case of when you are sick. bacterial illness, but in some cases antibioticsan c • Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated make symptoms worse. People usually get better surfaces immediately after an episode of

without medical treatment in 1 to 3 days. Because vomiting or diarrhea by using a bleach-based there is a risk for dehydration due to vomiting household cleaner. • Immediately remove clothing or salts, so re-hydration solutions are fluids (see clear liquids information on linens that may be contaminated preferable for vomiting that lasts left) ot keep yourself hydrated. Stay after an episode of illness. Wash them more than a day or two. away from greasy and spicy foods, using hot water and soap. What can I eat? full strength juices (the sugars make diarrhea worse), and other foods • Take care of your immune system by Once you’ve stopped vomiting for at or drinks that have made previous eating well, getting enough sleep, least 6 hours and are holding down episodes of diarrhea worse. engaging in physical activity, and fluids, you should start out slowly by managing stress. trying to eat bland foods. Consider the What can I eat? BRATS diet (see box, below). Stick to bland foods until ouy feel better. SELF-CARE Consider the BRATS diet (at left). FOR VOMITING BRATS diet: What about diarrhea medicine? Vomiting is caused by a wide variety of B bananas, bread (to help replace There are non-prescription products, illnesses and medical conditions. Here potassium) such as Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, and are some general tips to help your body R rice, rice-based cereal, plain Kaopectate that can decrease the recover: salted rice cakes frequency or increase the density of After vomiting: wait 2 hours for your A apples, applesauce (unlike apple bowel movements. However, it’s best stomach to settle before swallowing juice, these have pectin which to consult with a health care provider any liquids. (You may rinse your mouth tends to thicken bowel move- before taking any of these products. with water right after vomiting but don’t ments) Antidiarrheals sometimes can prolong swallow). an illness. If antidiarrheals are advised T toast (no butter, a small amount by your health care provider, you can After your stomach settles: start by taking of jam or jelly is okay) find them at any pharmacy, including the 1 to 2 teaspoons of clear liquid then, S saltines or other crackers (to help Cornell Health Pharmacy. every 15 or 20 minutes, increase the replace lost sodium) NOTE: Pepto Bismol and Kaopectate can amount slowly. This will help to prevent make stools dark black and cause the dehydration. What if I still feel sick? tongue to turn black. This is a normal Clear liquids include: Seek medical attention if the advice on response to the medication and not • Pedialyte (available Cornell Health’s this page is not helping you feel better, something to be concerned about. pharmacy and in the infant section or if you have experienced any of the Some studies have shown that taking of grocery stores) is a balanced salt following: solution that replaces lost fluids using Lactobacillus acidophilus (a normal • been vomiting for more than 1 day just a small amount of sugar. It’s very intestinal bacteria), found in the health bitter, but tastes better if you add a • had an extremely painful headache food section of many stores, can shorten flat ginger ale to it. • developed a rash, or the length of diarrheal illness. • DripDrop (available at Cornell Health’s • had a significantly reduced amount What if I still feel sick? pharmacy) is an oral rehydration of urine (or very dark urine) Seek medical attention if the advice on solution that restores medically- • fever of over 100.5 °F this page is not helping you feel better, relevant electrolyte levels. or if you have experienced any of the (available SELF-CARE • Oral rehydration salts following: at Cornell Health’s pharmacy) are FOR DIARRHEA specially formulated to help replace • diarrhea for more than 5 days lost salts and avoid dehydration. Diarrhea is characterized by a significant • severe abdominal cramping • Flat ginger ale or cola with bubbles increase in the frequency of, or significant • a fever for more than 2 days stirred out decrease in the solidity of your bowel • no urination in more than 8 hours • Diluted (50/50) “Gatorade-type” movements. It has many causes, both • seeing blood in the toilet sports drinks are not as effective infectious and non-infectious. • recent international travel as Pedialyte, but better than other What should I do? • more than 5 episodes of diarrhea sugary type drinks • If you have diarrhea with vomiting, in a day • “Special Gatorade” (G2 and Propel) give priority to settling your stomach are low-sugar alternatives to regular before tending to the diarrhea. When Gatorade; use without diluting these symptoms are happening at the Cornell Health’s educational materials • VERY diluted clear juices and other same time, you should be especially sugary type drinks, like apple juice aware of the risk of dehydration. If are designed to give you general or fruit punch (undiluted sugary you can’t keep any liquids down and health information. They should not beverages can aggravate diarrhea) have not urinated for more than 8 be relied upon for personal diagnosis • Freeze pops; popsicles (cut into hours, seek medical attention. or treatment. Only your health care small chunks) • If you have diarrhea without vomiting, provider is qualified to give you a • Water or ice chips prevent you may not have to change your diet medical opinion. Please talk with us if dehydration, but do not replace lost very much. You should drink plenty of you have questions or concerns. health.cornell.edu 9/19