Gastroenteritis: Stomach flu

Definition of a gastroenteritis

Stomach flu is an inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that can be caused by viruses or bacteria. It is also called gastroenteritis , gastrointestinal infection and popularly diarrhea with vomiting.
Diarrhea is when you have liquid stools more than three times a day. Acute diarrhea lasts less than four weeks, chronic diarrhea longer than four weeks.

Stomach flu symptoms

The classic symptoms of gastroenteritis are nausea , vomiting and diarrhea . The stool can appear watery, mushy, mucous or even bloody. In addition, abdominal pain, general weakness and fever can occur.

The incubation period , i.e. the time between infection and the appearance of the first symptoms, depends on the triggering germs. It can range from a few hours to a few days.

The duration of the vomiting diarrhea is also determined by the cause. In most cases, the symptoms last only a few days and then disappear completely.

Infections can be very difficult and lead to desiccation (dehydration) , especially in the elderly and immunocompromised people and children . This happens when the body no longer absorbs enough water and accordingly becomes dehydrated. A desiccation can be noticed by tiredness, headache and confusion . Patients are often very thirsty and have very dry mucous membranes. In the worst case, dehydration can lead to circulatory problems, seizures and kidney failure .

When should I seek medical advice?

As a rule, diarrhea with vomiting is uncomplicated and without complications. Still, there are some warning symptoms to look out for. The following reasons make an immediate medical consultation necessary:

• Diarrhea and vomiting lasting more than three days
• Blood deposits on the stool
• if you cannot drink enough for a long time
• Children, infants, the elderly, and the elderly should always see a doctor if they experience vomiting and diarrhea
• if you have a history of cancer or immunosuppression
• if you have symptoms such as confusion, severe tiredness, headaches or muscle cramps
• when high fever occurs
• in case of diarrhea after returning from the trip

Causes of gastroenteritis

Most non-specific gastroenteritis is caused by viruses and bacteria. Sometimes parasites can also be behind the symptoms. The pathogens usually lead to damage to the mucous membrane that lines the digestive tract. As a result, the food can no longer be digested and is excreted in liquid form.

Food poisoning is mostly caused by bacterial toxins . The bacteria produce toxic substances (toxins) that are responsible for the unpleasant symptoms. Here, too, the symptoms disappear on their own without treatment. If the triggering food could be identified, a report should be made to protect fellow human beings from the infection.

In addition, excessive use of laxatives and antibiotics can sometimes lead to diarrhea.

In the case of chronic diarrhea , other reasons for the symptoms should also be considered. For example, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases , gluten intolerance or tumor diseases can be behind the symptoms.

spread and risk of infection

The risk of infection depends entirely on the cause of the disease. Some of the pathogens spread via the faecal-oral smear infection : the germs from stool or vomit, which cling to shared toilets, for example, are carried on by other people on unwashed hands and finally ingested orally. This is how the pathogens get into the gastrointestinal tract and lead to the classic symptoms. The infections can also be transmitted by ingesting contaminated food or water.

Other pathogens are passed on as droplet infections : They are spread by inhaling tiny air particles – so-called aerosols. You can get infected from your fellow human beings if they are a few meters away and cough or sneeze, for example, due to a cold or throw up with a gastrointestinal infection.

In the case of infectious diseases, certain measures must be taken to protect others from infection.

As a patient, you should follow a few rules to protect your fellow human beings from infection :

• Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the toilet and before preparing food. During the acute phase of the illness, it is advisable to use your own toilet. If this is not possible, the toilet should be cleaned with disinfectant cleaning agents.
• Ventilate the rooms you are in. This not only ensures fresh air, but also gives the pathogens no chance to spread in the form of aerosols.
• Do not prepare food for others. Patients working in the food industry should stay away from work if gastroenteritis is suspected.
• Wash bed linen, towels, tea towels and washcloths regularly at 60 degrees Celsius.
• Be careful when preparing food: wash vegetables thoroughly, cook animal products completely. Wash boards, knives and hands thoroughly after preparing raw food.
• Small children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems should completely avoid raw animal products such as sushi.
• Make sure that food to be cooled does not remain unrefrigerated for too long.

Doctor consultation for gastroenteritis

The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and ask you a few specific questions about the duration and onset of the symptoms and your general condition. In addition, he will inquire whether other people in your social environment are ill, what job you do and where you last traveled to. A diagnosis can usually be made based on the questions.

In the case of prolonged diarrhea, further examinations may follow, for example to rule out a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, food intolerance or a tumorous event. Stool examinations, blood tests, gastric and intestinal endoscopy and an ultrasound examination can be used. In addition, a physical examination including a digital rectal examination may be necessary to rule out a tumor in the anal canal.

Protection against infection with the rotavirus offers an oral vaccination. It is particularly recommended for infants and young children, as the disease can be very serious in them.

Therapy for gastrointestinal flu

Treatment for gastroenteritis is primarily concerned with relieving symptoms. The first thing to do is to provide the body with sufficient fluid and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. Water, tea and broth can be used in small sips. Solid food should be started as soon as the nausea has passed. Easily digestible foods such as pretzel sticks, bananas and rusks and carrot pulp are suitable here. The myth of cola and pretzel sticks is therefore not so wrong , as it supplies the body with liquid, sugar and minerals. As an alternative, the WHO rehydration solution can be drunk, which is freely available in pharmacies.

Here you will find a recipe for the well-known home remedy for diarrhea “carrot soup according to Ernst Moro” :

• Chop 500 g of peeled carrots and boil them in 1 liter of water for an hour.
• Then press through a sieve or puree in a blender.
• Top up the total amount to one liter with boiling water.
• Add 1 level teaspoon (3 g) of table salt.
• Eat the soup in small amounts.

Antibiotic therapy usually has no effect and is not recommended for diarrhea with vomiting. Medicines against diarrhea should also be avoided as far as possible and only used in exceptional cases with uncomplicated courses. The frequent bowel movements associated with diarrhea are uncomfortable, but flush the causative pathogens out of the digestive tract. Medications for vomiting and taking probiotics can help relieve symptoms.

If the patient is no longer able to drink enough fluids, electrolyte solutions can be given by vein. This is usually done in the hospital to prevent complications and monitor the patient

Stomach flu while traveling

When traveling to tropical and subtropical regions, patients very often suffer from gastrointestinal flu. The pathogens are usually absorbed through food and lead to the typical symptoms. You can protect yourself from the infection by only drinking packaged drinks and avoiding tap water and ice cubes. It also helps to stick to the saying “Peel it, cook it, boil it or forget it.”

If possible, avoid eating raw foods such as lettuce. Here, too, the infection is usually self-limiting, but attention should be paid to the warning signs mentioned above.

How can Med-Healths help?

Do you suffer from the symptoms of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea? You can use the Med-Healths app to reach a doctor from the comfort of your own home. He will answer your questions and advise you in detail via the video chat. He can also prescribe you medication via the app and write you off sick if necessary. If your symptoms require further diagnostics, he can refer you to an expert.