{"id":2856,"date":"2018-10-01T22:14:14","date_gmt":"2018-10-01T22:14:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=2856"},"modified":"2021-10-13T04:10:59","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T04:10:59","slug":"8-general-stomach-flu-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/8-general-stomach-flu-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"8 General Stomach Flu Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Stomach flu is a general medical term for a range of different viruses and infections that cause severe stomach upset; one of these viruses is the rotavirus, and it\u2019s one of the most common causes for what people refer to as \u201cstomach flu\u201d \u2013 and doctors call gastroenteritis.<\/p>\n

The condition can cause several other medical problems at the same time and could lead to severe dehydration or time spent recovering in hospital if you don\u2019t visit a doctor soon enough. It\u2019s important to spot the symptoms and report these to your doctor if you suspect that you might have picked up stomach flu.<\/p>\n

Common symptoms of the disease include general stomach upset, moderate to severe diarrhea, nausea and pain the stomach or lower back; you might also experience vomiting, fatigue, fever, and swelling at the same time.<\/p>\n

Here are 8 general symptoms of stomach flu that you should watch out for.<\/p>\n

1. Abdominal Pain<\/h3>\n

The first symptom that makes people think there might be something wrong with their bodies is the abdominal pain that\u2019s commonly associated with picking up a stomach flu infection. The abdominal pain can happen suddenly, or it could happen in what feels like waves throughout a long period of time \u2013 and it can also happen to vary in intensity.<\/p>\n

The abdominal pain usually persists for as long as the infection itself does, and you can expect this symptom to precede many of the other ones on this list, including a generally upset stomach.<\/p>\n

For soothing abdominal pain associated with gastroenteritis, there are many over-the-counter medications available to control stomach cramps and the associated pain.<\/p>\n

With an already upset stomach, there\u2019s a good reason that you should reach for painkillers<\/a> that could upset your stomach further \u2013 ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend medication they\u2019ve prescribed with success for associated stomach pain and make a follow-up appointment if your symptoms continue or get any worse.<\/p>\n

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2. Diarrhea<\/h3>\n

Diarrhea<\/a> is one of the most characteristic symptoms of having picked up stomach flu, and it can also be one of the most dangerous. Diarrhea usually refers to loose stools, and it can be associated with abdominal pain and severe nausea at the same time \u2013 again, it will usually persist for as long as the infection is present.<\/p>\n

What makes this symptom dangerous is the rate at which it can dehydrate your body. This causes it to lose vital nutrients and minerals faster than you can replenish it \u2013 and this in turn can lead to hospitalization, or death if you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

There are many home remedies for \u201csettling\u201d a running stomach, including simple mashed potatoes or a little bit of ginger. While these remedies are fine for at home, you should see a doctor if these remedies have no effect on the symptoms and the condition persists or gets any worse.<\/p>\n

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3. Indigestion<\/h3>\n

Indigestion<\/a> is a symptom that can easily accompany a range of other conditions including simple heartburn from eating a meal that was too rich or too high in fats or salts; indigestion can also be pointing to other conditions of the digestive system, so take note if you have been experiencing repetitive indigestion over a long period of time \u2013 especially when changing your diet has no effect.<\/p>\n

Indigestion commonly goes along with stomach flu, and you might have to make a few changes to your diet for the duration of the infection and a short time after \u2013 even when you are feeling better \u2013 to control this nagging symptom.<\/p>\n

Avoid any foods that are overly acidic, and try to stay away from any dairy products: These things can make indigestion much worse or lead to a flare-up even when the original infection has healed.<\/p>\n

Many medications are available over-the-counter to control the symptoms of heartburn \u2013 but always remember that a persistent health condition is almost always a sign of an underlying problem.<\/p>\n

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4. Vomiting and Nausea<\/h3>\n

Vomiting<\/a> and nausea are common symptoms associated with stomach flu \u2013 though they can also be associated with a lot of different digestive conditions, food poisoning, or just downright eating something that\u2019s not working well with your body.<\/p>\n

How do you know that vomiting and nausea might be stomach flu? It doesn\u2019t stop. Every once in a while everyone gets nauseous or vomits \u2013 but if it starts to happen in a recurring pattern of any sort, then you have very good reason to seek medical attention to find the root cause of your nausea.<\/p>\n

If you start to experience any fo the other symptoms associated with stomach flu along with this, then you almost definitely have gastroenteritis and should see your doctor. Often, simple antibiotics and some diet changes are enough to take care of the condition until the infection has subsided.<\/p>\n

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about medications that can suppress nausea \u2013 and ensure these are safe to take with any medications your doctor has already prescribed.<\/p>\n

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5. Dehydration<\/h3>\n

Dehydration<\/a> means that the body has lost too much fluid \u2013 and in the case of stomach flu, this symptom usually happens through diarrhea and vomiting associated with it. By the point your body starts showing the signs of dehydration, you should know that you are already severely dehydrated \u2013 and will need to make a conscious effort to replenish the fluids and minerals your body is losing.<\/p>\n

Make sure that you are drinking plenty of fluids when you are recovering from a bout of stomach flu to prevent dehydration. Water is usually the safest option, and you want to avoid things like acidic fruit juice, bubbly drinks, or anything that might do damage if it were to come back up.<\/p>\n

There are also medications available that can speed up the process \u2013 including sachets, usually dissolvable in water, that will ensure you get all of the needed salts and electrolytes. These can be expensive, but they\u2019re exceptionally useful and could prove to be a lifesaver.<\/p>\n

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6. Urine affected<\/h3>\n

Stomach flu can also affect the flow and appearance of your urine<\/a>, and you should note any changes in flow or appearance to your doctor when you make your next appointment \u2013 doing this can help your doctor to diagnose any health conditions that could be affecting your health sooner.<\/p>\n

Infections tend to make the urine appear darker or cloudy, and this isn\u2019t necessarily a sign of stomach flu \u2013 but can be a sign of general infection or dehydration. When combined with other symptoms on this list, you might have reason to consider the possibility that it might be stomach flu \u2013 and you should visit your doctor.<\/p>\n

Stomach flu is also likely to affect the frequency of urination, and you will either urinate more or less frequently than you are used to. You should keep hydrating even if you are urinating more than usual, too \u2013 this can also be a sign that your body is dehydrating quicker than it is able to replenish.<\/p>\n

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7. Fever<\/h3>\n

Normal human body temperature is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and anything that goes over a hundred degrees can be considered to be a fever.<\/p>\n

Fever is your body\u2019s immune system response to illness and infection, and it\u2019s your body\u2019s way of trying to create an environment that isn\u2019t too friendly for whatever infection might be raging inside your body.<\/p>\n

A fever should always be brought under control as soon as you can, especially if the condition persists. Running a fever for too long can start to affect your organs, and lead to everything from serious dehydration to organ failure.<\/p>\n

There are many home remedies for getting a fever to go down, and many of them can create more problems \u2013 for example, dunking someone into a cold bath is a common remedy, but it can easily make the body go into shock.<\/p>\n

Simple paracetamol<\/a> can be enough to control a fever and bring it down, but this is usually a temporary fix and you should see your doctor if your fever spirals out of control.<\/p>\n

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8. Weight Loss<\/h3>\n

Rapid weight loss<\/a> with a sudden onset that is also accompanied by the rest of the symptoms on this list can be a definite warning sign of gastroenteritis.<\/p>\n

The weight loss happens due to some of the other symptoms we\u2019ve mentioned on this list, including diarrhea and dehydration, though the weight loss can quickly become a symptom on its own \u2013 and it could stick around for several weeks or months after the infection has already passed.<\/p>\n

This is because gastroenteritis does considerable damage to the healthy flora in your gut and stomach, and this damage will need to be repaired \u2013 usually, though consuming foods and fermented foods with live bacteria.<\/p>\n

Remember that you will need to replenish the nutrients, minerals, and fluids that your body has lost after you\u2019ve recovered from stomach flu \u2013 and this starts with a healthy diet. Weight loss can also indicate a range of other health problems, and you should make an immediate appointment with your doctor if your weight loss continues long after you have been treated for gastroenteritis.<\/p>\n\r\n

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