Stomach flu or gastroenteritis is vomiting and diarrhea due to infection or inflammation of the walls of the digestive tract, especially the stomach and intestines. In the wider community, gastroenteritis is better known as termvomiting.
Most gastroenteritis is caused by a viral infection, and transmission is very easy. In addition to infection, gastroenteritis can also be caused by the side effects of drugs.
Gastroenteritis can go away on its own without special treatment. In order to avoid this condition, it is recommended that you adopt a clean and healthy lifestyle, such as diligently washing your hands, maintaining the cleanliness of the water and food you consume, maintaining the cleanliness of the surrounding environment, and consuming balanced nutrition every day.
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms will appear 1-3 days after infection. Symptoms usually last for 1-2 days, but can also last up to 10 days. In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, people with gastroenteritis or stomach flu are also at risk for additional symptoms, such as:
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Nauseous
- No appetite
- Stomach ache
- Muscle and joint pain
When to go to the doctor
Gastroenteritis can go away on its own within a few days. However, immediately consult a doctor if you experience:
- Fever to above 40oC
- Symptoms of dehydration, such as thirst, dry mouth, and concentrated urine.
- Vomiting for more than 2 days or vomiting blood.
- bloody stool.
Gastroenteritis is quite common in children. Immediately consult your child's doctor, if he has gastroenteritis or stomach flu accompanied by:
- Fever above 38oC
- grumpy
- Nervous
- Cry without shedding tears
- Vomiting for more than a few hours
- Diapers stay dry for a long time
- Diarrhea with blood
Causes of Gastroenteritis
Most vomiting or gastroenteritis are caused by viral infections. There are two types of viruses that are the main causes of gastroenteritis, namely Norovirus and Rotavirus. In addition to these two types of viruses, gastroenteritis can also be caused by Adenovirus and Astrovirus.
Transmission can occur through direct contact, for example when shaking hands with the patient or accidentally inhaling the splashes of saliva that come out when the sufferer sneezes. Viruses can also be transmitted through food, drink, and objects that have been contaminated with the virus.
The habit of not washing hands after urinating or before eating can also increase the risk of gastroenteritis. Therefore, try to always wash your hands before eating or after activities outside the room.
Apart from viruses, gastroenteritis can also be caused by:
- Bacteria, such as Campylobacter bacterium.
- Parasites, such as Entamoeba histolytica andCrystosporidium.
- Certain medications, such as antibiotics, antacids, or chemotherapy drugs.
- Heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, or mercury, are inhaled from the air or contained in mineral water.
Gastroenteritis risk factors
There are several groups of people who are more at risk of developing stomach flu or gastroenteritis, namely:
- ChildrenToddlers or children do not have a strong immune system, so they are susceptible to infection.
- Resident dormitoryThe high level of interaction between students in the school and dormitory environment can increase the risk of transmitting gastroenteritis.
- seniorsThe elderly tend to have a decreased immune system, so they are more easily infected with stomach flu or gastroenteritis.
- People with immune systems which weakPeople with compromised immune systems, such as people with AIDS or cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, have weak immune systems, so they are more susceptible to contracting the virus.
Gastroenteritis Diagnosis
Gastroenteritis is easily recognized by the signs that appear, namely vomiting and diarrhea. If the symptoms are mild and only last a short time, then there is no need to see a doctor, because this condition can heal on its own.
It is necessary to consult a doctor if severe symptoms appear. In this condition, the doctor will ask the patient's medical history and perform a physical examination on the patient, such as measuring blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature.
If necessary, the doctor will also carry out a supporting examination in the form of a stool examination to determine the cause of diarrhea and vomiting.
Gastroenteritis Treatment
Most gastroenteritis or stomach flu do not require special treatment, because these diseases can go away on their own. Gastroenteritis treatment steps are more aimed at avoiding worsening symptoms and preventing dehydration, especially in children.
The main treatment step for gastroenteritis is to increase the consumption of water and nutritious foods. Patients are encouraged to eat in smaller portions, but often.
So that symptoms do not get worse, avoid consuming milk, yogurt, coffee, alcohol, cheese, and spicy, high-fiber, or high-fat foods.
To help replace lost body fluids, sufferers can take ORS. This solution contains electrolytes and minerals needed by the body. Although ORS can be purchased over the counter, be sure to always follow the directions for use or check with your doctor first.
If needed, the doctor can give medication to relieve the symptoms caused by gastroenteritis. The types of drugs given are:
- Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, if the gastroenteritis is caused by a bacterial infection.
- Antifungal, such as nystatin, to treat gastroenteritis caused by fungal infections.
- Loperamide, to relieve diarrhea.
Patients need to undergo treatment in the hospital if the dehydration is severe enough. This treatment aims to replace lost body fluids and nutrients, through the administration of intravenous fluids.
Treatment of gastroenteritis in children
If your child has vomiting or diarrhea, allow his/her digestion to rest for 15-20 minutes. After that, give drink gradually to meet fluid needs and prevent dehydration. The type of fluid given can be water, ORS solution, or breast milk if your child is a baby.
Other handling steps that can be taken are:
- Give food with a smooth texture and easy to digest, such as bread, potatoes, or bananas.
- Do not give your child foods or drinks that are high in milk or sugar, such as ice cream, soda, and candy.
- Do not give your child over-the-counter diarrhea medicine without a prescription, except on the advice of a doctor. Giving any type of stomach pain medication should be consulted with a doctor first.
If the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea experienced by your child are getting worse and the treatment given is not effective in relieving the symptoms, then immediately consult your child to the doctor for treatment.
Gastroenteritis Complications
Vomiting and diarrhea experienced by people with gastroenteritis cause the body to lose a lot of fluids and nutrients. This condition can trigger the appearance of symptoms of dehydration which include:
- Dizzy
- Easily tired and sleepy
- Constant thirst
- dry mouth
- Dark or dark colored urine
Gastroenteritis Prevention
The main preventive measure for gastroenteritis is diligent hand washing, especially before eating, after activities outside the home, and after urinating or defecating.
Wash your hands up to your fingernails and fingernails, using soap and warm water for 20 seconds, then rinse thoroughly. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
Gastroenteritis can also be prevented by:
- Do not share the use of eating and bathing utensils with others.
- Cleaning items that are suspected to have been contaminated with viruses or bacteria.
- Avoid consuming raw or undercooked food.
- Clean the bathroom and kitchen regularly, especially doorknobs, toilet seats, cooking utensils, and kitchen floors.
- Consume bottled water and avoid using ice cubes when you are traveling. It is also recommended that you use bottled water to brush your teeth while traveling.
As a long-term prevention, your child can be vaccinated against rotavirus. This vaccine is effective in preventing gastroenteritis due to rotavirus infection. There are two types of rotavirus vaccine in Indonesia, which are given 3 times, when babies are 6-14 weeks old, 18-22 weeks, and 8 months old; and which is given 2 times, when the baby is 10 weeks and 14 weeks.
For babies who are more than 6-8 months old but have never received the rotavirus vaccine, this immunization is not necessary, because there are no studies to ensure the safety of this vaccine in infants and children older than 6-8 months.