What to do when sick with norovirus or ‘abdomen flu’

For those who went out for the night and wakened with a sudden dangerous abdomen, likelihood is you could be experiencing viral gastroenteritis. That is the broad time period for an an infection within the intestines. Some name it “abdomen flu.”

Gastroenteritis could be introduced on by norovirus—a extremely contagious viral an infection most frequently unfold by person-to-person contact or contaminated meals or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. It may be fairly extreme for some folks, however for many, a couple of days of feeling unwell is frequent.

One of the crucial necessary issues to do is keep hydrated, says Dr. Jay-Sheree Allen, a Mayo Clinic household drugs doctor.

Dr. Allen says in case you expertise nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and abdomen ache—all signs of norovirus—drink plenty of fluids and observe a bland eating regimen like crackers, or broth or flavored water. This bland eating regimen is well-tolerated by some folks.

For the primary couple of days, you might not really feel like consuming or ingesting, and could be extremely fatigued.

“Set a timer in your telephone in case you should to say it is time to attempt to eat one thing, or it is time to on the very least to drink one thing to stay hydrated,” says Dr. Allen.

Dehydration is usually a severe complication, particularly for older adults and younger kids.

“If you cannot preserve water down after 24 hours, it is necessary to hunt assist,” says Dr. Allen. “If you’ll be able to preserve some issues down, however your signs persist after 48 to 72 hours, it is also a sensible thought to hunt assist from a medical skilled.”