How to Treat Viral Gastroenteritis
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How to Treat Viral Gastroenteritis
Introduction
Viral Gastroenteritis is a highly contagious intestinal infection and causes extreme diarrhea and vomiting. It is the second most common disease in the United States. Despite its terrible effects on people, viral gastroenteritis is treatable and usually dissipates over time.
Instructions
Difficulty: Challenging
Adult Treatment
Steps
1
Step One
Recognize the symptoms of the virus. These include headaches, diarrhea, fever, chills, abdominal pain and vomiting and usually occur within 4 to 48 hours of exposure to the virus.
2
Step Two
Don't eat for a few hours once you realize you have it. Your stomach needs to settle.
3
Step Three
Drink plenty of fluids once your stomach has settled, as your body can easily become dehydrated during the time you are affected by viral gastroenteritis. If your stomach doesn't settle after a few hours, drink liquids in small amounts or suck on ice cubes.
4
Step Four
Get plenty of rest. Don't overextend yourself too much.
5
Step Five
Reintroduce small quantities of food you can easily digest once you've gotten plenty of rest and your stomach has settled. Try toast, apples, rice, broth and bananas.
Tips & Warnings
- Prevent viral gastroenteritis by washing your hands diligently before meals and after using the bathroom. Keep counters and table areas clean and disinfected.
- If you suspect that food or drink may have been contaminated in any way, don't eat or drink it. Dispose of it immediately.
- Avoid dairy products, alcohol and caffeine while symptoms persist. Wait until your body has completely recovered from the virus before reintroducing these things back in to your system.
Child Treatment
Steps
1
Step One
Recognize the symptoms of the virus. These include headaches, diarrhea, fever, chills, abdominal pain and vomiting and usually occur within four to forty-eight hours of exposure to the virus.
2
Step Two
Let the child rest for several hours to allow his stomach to settle.
3
Step Three
Give the child an oral rehydration solution to get minerals and fluids back in to their bodies.
4
Step Four
Reintroduce easily digestible foods (such as rice, apples, bananas, toast and broth) in to their systems once symptoms of viral gastroenteritis have subsided.
Tips & Warnings
- The only vaccine available for viral gastroenteritis is Rotateq, which has been approved for use by infants 6 to 32 weeks of age.