About 21 million Americans suffer from the “stomach flu” every year. And they probably wouldn’t take kindly to the suggestion that there is no such thing.
It’s all a matter of terminology, of course. Influenza, or the flu, is a lung and respiratory infection caused by one of three virus types (A, B or C). The illness can be and usually is severe, lasting 10 days to two weeks.
The shorter-term nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that is generally called “stomach flu” is actually what doctors know as gastroenteritis–an irritation or inflammation of the stomach and digestive system. It can be caused by any number of organisms or “bugs”:
• viruses such as norovirus or rotavirus that can be transmitted through close personal contact;
• bacteria such as E. coli, shigella, campylobacter or salmonella usually transmitted through contaminated food;
• parasites or protozoans such as giardia or cryptosporidium that are obtained from contaminated water.
Gastroenteritis can also be caused by lead in drinking water, chemical toxins in seafood, food allergies, caffeine or certain medications.
When an NBA player is said to be suffering with stomach flu, it could be something that could spread through the team and the crowd; or it could be something bad he had in his dinner the night before.
Although it’s no fun and may cause a fever of 99-101 as well as diarrhea and vomiting, a stomach illness usually passes on its own within a day or two, leaving only a bit of stomach queasiness for another few days.
DON’T SPREAD THE VIRUS: The majority of cases are viral. Rotavirus often affects young children; norovirus (or Norwalk-like virus) is common among older children and adults. Other common viruses include adenovirus, calicivirus and astrovirus.
Viral stomach bugs are contagious and can spread quickly through a family, day care center or college dormitory. Norovirus, for example, can be spread through direct personal contact (kissing or shaking hands), sharing food, drink or eating utensils or even touching door knobs or shared computer keyboards.
To avoid spreading the bug, wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet or changing a baby’s diaper. Avoid preparing food when you are infected or sharing drinking glasses, utensils, towels or wash cloths.
After an episode of vomiting or diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect any contaminated surface with a bleach-based household cleaner or a solution made by adding 5 to 25 tablespoons of bleach to a gallon of water.
Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with vomit or fecal matter. Handle the items carefully to avoid spreading the virus.
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS can also be spread through personal contact but most commonly through food. When large groups are affected, it is usually because they ate the same contaminated food–at a picnic, school cafeteria or restaurant.
The contamination may have started much earlier, when the meat or poultry came into contact with bacteria from the intestines of the animal or when water that was used to grow the produce was contaminated with animal or human waste.
It could also occur because of improper handling and preparation of the food in the processing plant, grocery store, restaurant or home. Again, careful hand washing is crucial and you should take care in avoiding cross contamination with unclean cutting boards or cooking utensils.
Remember to keep anything that touches raw meat away from the cooked product. In other words, don’t put cooked hamburgers back on the plate you used to carry the uncooked ones. And don’t use contaminated utensils or hands to handle vegetables or buns that will not be cooked.
Bacterial infections can also occur because of foods that have not been refrigerated or frozen at the right temperature or have not been re-heated properly.
PARASITIC GASTROENTERITIS can be severe and long lasting. Both giardia and cryptosporidium come from feces, usually transmitted through swimming and other recreational water activities.
Cryptosporidium is usually acquired through water, and the organism is not easily killed with chlorine bleach. Even one gulp of contaminated water in a pool, lake or hot tub can be enough to cause illness.
Giardia can be acquired through personal contact and is often transmitted from child to child or child to adult at day care centers.
WHAT TO DO? Most cases of gastroenteritis will pass on their own, usually in a few days. The biggest danger is that the diarrhea and vomiting will lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalances; so be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
There are medications that can stop diarrhea. If you have an important business meeting or are going on a long bus or plane trip, these medications are handy for stemming the tide. But it’s usually better to let the diarrhea run its course and give the body time to heal. Talk to your doctor before using these medications on a continuing basis or giving them to your children.
You will soon discover that the only way to stop the diarrhea and vomiting is to eat as little as possible and avoid spicy or difficult to digest foods. The traditional advice is to limit yourself to clear liquids at first, then add tea, rice, bouillon or soup.
It may be difficult to get the fluids you need without upsetting your digestive system. The advice is to sip often rather than gulp down a lot at a time.
After the first day or two, it’s important to watch for signs of dehydration: feeling weak, dizzy or lightheaded, little or no urination, dry mouth and eyes. Dehydration is serious business–sometimes even fatal–so don’t delay seeking medical help.
Other danger signs include blood in the vomit or stool, a temperature higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit, vomiting that continues for more than 48 hours, sleepiness or fatigue and pain or swelling in the lower right part of the abdomen.
Don’t expect antibiotics. They may be helpful for some bacterial infections but can make things worse for some types of gastroenteritis.
In most cases, the stomach troubles pass on their own, leaving only a nasty memory.
REFERENCES:
Kathleen Doheny, “The truth about stomach flu: it’s not really the flu, but gastroenteritis,” WebMD Feature, reviewed by Brunilda Nazario, M.D.,
Anne Harding, “Things you should know about stomach flu,” Health.
“Is it a stomach flu or influenza?” WebMD Medical Reference, reviewed by Kimball Johnson, M.D., June 11, 2012.
Mayo Clinic Staff, “Stomach flu: how long am I contagious?” MayoClinic.com, March 6, 2012.
Merck Manual, “Overview of Gastroenteritis.” last full review/revision August, 2012 by Thomas G. Boyce, M.D., MPH.
Dr. Linda Petter, “How to treat, prevent norovirus (stomach flu), Auburn Reporter, February 26, 2013.
W.V. La Via, “Parasitic gastroenteritis,” Pediatrics Annual, October 23, 1994.
“Stomach flu,” Brown University Health Education.
“Viral gastroenyteritis,” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, updated by Linfda J. Vorbick, M.D., April 26, 2012.
07/18/2013
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