WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, is an infection of the stomach and intestines.
AFTER YOU LEAVE:
- Diarrhea medicine: This can help slow or stop your diarrhea.
- Vomiting medicine: This can help settle your stomach and stop vomiting.
- Antibiotics: These help fight infection caused by bacteria.
- Parasite medicine: This helps fight infection caused by parasites.
- Take your medicine as directed. Call your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
Manage your symptoms:
- Drink liquids: It is important to prevent or treat dehydration. Even if you feel sick or have been vomiting, suck on ice chips or take small sips of clear liquids often. Slowly increase the amount of clear liquids you drink. If you become dehydrated, you may need IV liquids.
- Drink oral rehydration solution: You may also need to drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS). An ORS contains water, salts, and sugar that are needed to replace lost body fluids. Ask what kind of ORS to use, how much to drink, and where to get it.
- Eat bland foods: When you feel hungry, begin eating soft, bland foods. Examples are bananas, clear soup, potatoes, and applesauce. Do not have dairy products, alcohol, sugary drinks, or drinks with caffeine until you feel better.
- Rest as much as possible: Slowly start to do more each day when you begin to feel better.
Prevent the spread of gastroenteritis:
- Wash hands, laundry, and surfaces: This will help prevent the spread of germs. Encourage everyone in your house to wash their hands with soap and water after they use the bathroom. Wash clothes and towels you use while you are ill separately from the rest of your laundry. Clean surfaces in your home with antibacterial cleaner or bleach.
- Cook safely: Wash your hands and raw vegetables before you cook. Have your household members wash their hands before they eat. Cook meat, fish, and eggs fully. Do not use the same dishes for raw meat as you do for other foods. Refrigerate any leftover food immediately.
- Be aware when you camp or travel: Drink only clean water. Do not drink from rivers or lakes unless you purify or boil the water first. When you travel, drink bottled water and avoid ice. Do not eat fruit that has not been peeled. Avoid raw fish or meat that is not fully cooked.
Contact your primary healthcare provider if:
- You have a fever.
- You continue to vomit or have diarrhea, even after treatment.
- You see worms in your diarrhea.
- Your mouth or eyes are dry. You are not urinating as much or as often.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Seek care immediately or call 911 if:
- You see blood in your diarrhea.
- You cannot stop vomiting.
- You have not urinated for 12 hours.
- Your legs or arms are blue.
- You have trouble breathing or a very fast pulse.
- You feel like you are going to faint.
© 2014 Truven Health Analytics Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. All illustrations and images included in CareNotes® are the copyrighted property of A.D.A.M., Inc. or Truven Health Analytics.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Learn more about Gastroenteritis (Discharge Care)
Drugs associated with:
Micromedex® Care Notes:
- Food Poisoning
- Gastroenteritis In Children
- Infectious Colitis
- Salmonella Infection
- Traveler's Diarrhea
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