WELL, I GOT THE STOMACH BUGSymptoms and treatment of a 24-hour stomach bugStomach bugs are a leading cause of sickness and diarrhea in adults and children, especially in the winter months.What is a 24-hour stomach bug?Viruses that spread from person to person are responsible for 24-hour stomach bugs. People sometimes call this illness “stomach flu,” but it is not related to the seasonal influenza that causes a respiratory illness every fall and winter. The medical name for the stomach bug is acute viral gastroenteritis. People often ask what the difference is between food poisoning and a stomach bug. Although a person can get sick with a viral stomach bug due to contaminated food or water, the term “food poisoning” commonly refers to foodborne illnesses resulting from bacteria, parasites, or toxins that these organisms release when food goes bad. Food poisoning essentially just describes how the germ got into the body, but all of the germs that cause food poisoning can also spread through poor hygiene and touching contaminated surfaces. SymptomsThe symptoms of a stomach bug can include: People usually develop symptoms 12–48 hours after exposure to the virus.Many people only experience these symptoms for 24 hours, but it is not uncommon for 24-hour stomach bugs to last longer than 1 day. In adults, a case of viral gastroenteritis typically lasts 1–3 days. In children, stomach bugs can last up to 12 days, depending on the cause. CausesNorovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea from acute viral gastroenteritis among people of all ages in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
. Rotavirus and adenovirus mainly affect children under the age of 2 years. Most norovirus outbreaks in the U.S. happen between November and April. Sometimes, a new strain of norovirus develops. In the years where this happens, cases can increase by 50%Trusted Source. TreatmentMost peopleTrusted Source recover from a stomach bug without any medical treatment. Replacing lost fluids and electrolytes can help prevent dehydration. Many people lose their appetite when they have a stomach bug, and they may find it difficult to keep liquids down. Sipping them slowly can help people stay hydrated. People can try:
Bland, salty foods, such as crackers, can help replace electrolytes. People can also drink rehydration solutions that contain electrolytes. Examples include:
A doctor may prescribe medication to control severe vomiting. However, they will not prescribe antibiotics because these drugs do not work for viral illnesses, including 24-hour stomach bugs. In some cases, adults can take over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to treat diarrhea. These include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate). However, if a person has bloody diarrhea or a fever, they should avoid these medications and seek help from a doctor right away. Not all OTC medications are suitable for young children. People should consult a doctor before giving diarrhea medications to others. When to seek helpAlthough most people with a stomach bug recover in a few days, some peopleTrusted Source may need medical help. These people include those who are in severe pain, are pregnant, or show signs of dehydration. DehydrationIf someone is vomiting and has diarrhea multiple times a day, they can become dehydrated. It is especially important to watch out for this in children, older adults, and people with preexisting health conditions. The symptoms of dehydration include:
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