Stomach flu is caused by a virus, which means that stomach flu treatment is inherently quite limited. By its very nature the virus causing stomach flu cannot be killed with medication so stomach flu treatment should be entirely symptomatic; that is you should treat the symptoms and simply wait for the bug to go away.

Viruses attack the system by getting into the blood stream, attacking individual cells and taking them over as their 'host'. This means that medication cannot kill the virus without killing all the bodily cells first and this would be fatal. Some people think that antibiotics will work to rid the body of a virus but they will do nothing as bacteria exist openly and unprotected in the blood and body's lymphatic system, whereas a virus 'hides' inside body cells.

Of course, this is unfortunate, but fortunately for us we have the perfect defense against viruses: the immune system. While the emergence of stomach flu symptoms means that the virus is winning the battle, the symptoms wearing off is also a sign that the immune system has identified and started killing off the infected cells. It may take a while for it to start working but it will eventually.

Part of stomach flu treatment should always involve trying to boost the immune system as much as possible, particularly before you catch the bug (e.g. if you are looking after someone who is ill with it and are exposed to the virus). You can do this by making sure you get enough sleep (8 hours per night), not letting yourself get cold and eating nutritious foods. Echinacea and zinc are both supplements that are readily available and will help give your immune system a boost too.

When you are actually experience symptoms of stomach flu treatment should concentrate heavily on keeping yourself hydrated. You lose a lot of liquid from your body through vomiting and diarrhea, which are the two main symptoms of stomach flu. Keep drinking water and if possible buy in some drinks that contain electrolytes as these hydrate your tissues quicker than normal water. If your eyes become sunken, you feel very thirsty and when your skin is pinched it takes 2 seconds or longer to return to its normal shape then you are dehydrated and may need medical help. Keeping someone with stomach flu fed is not such a worry as they probably won't keep food down anyway. Keeping them hydrated is your primary aim.

If you are suffering from stomach flu treatment should involve keeping warm, but not too hot, keep taking painkillers every 4 hours to keep your temperature down and always clean any vomit or diarrhea up with disinfectant. If your stomach flu symptoms last for over 5 days then contact your doctor for advice, but otherwise remember that your immune system, if healthy, will tackle the virus and get rid of it eventually. To do your best to prevent catching a stomach bug eat well, sleep well, wash your hands regularly and keep stress levels low.

Stan Tian

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