How do you get stomach flu?

Answer 1

Stomach flu is actually Gastroenteritis and is not related to influenza at all. It is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, involving both the stomach and the small intestine resulting in acute diarrhea and sometime nausea and vomiting. At least 50% of cases of gastroenteritis due to foodborne illness are caused by norovirus. Another 20% of cases, and the majority of severe cases in children, are due to rotavirus. This is a self-limiting disease, which means that you get over it by waiting it out. Give it time and you get better. It is important to drink plenty of fluids while waiting it out, because you need to replace the fluids lost because of diarrhea. Sugary drinks such as soft drinks and fruit juice are not recommended for gastroenteritis in children under 5 years of age as they may make the diarrhea worse. Normal diet should be continued as much as possible, except that sugary foods may be avoided as they may make the diarrhea worse. Any medication should be as directed by a doctor and will only be prescribed in unusually severe cases.