How to Avoid the "Stomach Flu"

Winter is coming, and along with it, the dreaded “stomach flu”. Did you know that, many times, what people call the “stomach flu” isn’t really a flu at all? “Stomach flu” is not caused by an influenza bug. It is actually an intestinal illness that can be caused by a variety of different viruses, and is known as “viral gastroenteritis”.

Viral gastroenteritis causes watery diarrhea and vomiting, which normally resolve by themselves, without medical intervention, but it can cause complications in some people, particularly babies, young children, the elderly, and those who are already ill.

The onset of viral gastroenteritis can be rather quick, occurring within hours of exposure, or a few days after. Most cases improve after one or two days, but sometimes it can take up to a week or two to feel completely well again. Viral gastroenteritis can race through day care centers, schools, nursing homes, restaurants, and cruise ships with amazing speed.

You do not HAVE to suffer through viral gastroenteritis though. There are ways to avoid it.

Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands is probably THE best way to avoid viral gastroenteritis. Make sure to wash your hands after using the bathroom; after changing diapers; before preparing or eating a meal.

In our house, we’ve made it a habit to immediately wash our hands the minute we walk in the door from anywhere, especially during the winter.

If you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, carry a bottle of alcohol-based waterless hand sanitizer. I carry a small bottle of Purell Hand Sanitizer in my purse, and we also keep a bottle in the car. It’s great to use after coming out of the grocery store, after shaking hands at church, etc.