Gastric flu, more commonly known as ‘winter vomiting bug’ is a virus causing stomach upset and/or diarrhoea. Although the symptoms usually last 24-48 hours, bouts can last as short as six hours.
The winter vomiting bug is highly contagious, meaning you can both catch it and pass it on to others very easily.
If you contract the winter vomiting bug, it is advised try to avoid closed environments such as hospitals, schools, or nursing homes, as the infection will spread quickly.
What are the symptoms of the winter vomiting bug?
The onset of winter vomiting bug is usually noted by strong pains in the abdomen and severe nausea. This will shortly be followed by vomiting and diarrhoea.
As well as sudden vomiting and diarrhoea, you may also suffer from:
- stomach pain,
- a headache
- fever
- extreme tiredness
- other flu-like symptoms (muscle aches, chills)
How can the virus be spread?
The winter vomiting bug can spread very quickly in closed environments, with the infection spreading quickly from person to person and through contaminated surfaces.
As well as staying isolated from people during your infection period, it’s important not to share any food, cutlery or bedding with people to reduce the risk of passing on the virus. It is also advised to thoroughly decontaminate the virus from soiled surfaces and furnishings such as kitchen counters, door handles, stair banisters following the virus as it can stay active for several days.
How can you treat the winter vomiting bug?
There is no specific medicine to treat the winter vomiting bug and antibiotics won’t work because it’s a viral infection, not a bacterial infection.
Doctors suggest to keep drinking to replace lost fluids through the vomiting and diarrhoea. Over the counter medicine may also help relieve some flu-like symptoms associated with the infection.
Protecting Yourself
If you come into contact with someone suffering from the winter vomiting bug, or recently over the illness, the Mater Hospital suggest the following actions to keep you fighting off the virus:
- Hand washing is the most important action in preventing spread of winter vomiting bugs and other infections. Continue washing your hands entering and leaving the house or premises of the person who has the infection.
- Advise your visitors to do the same if you are the person who has been sick.
- Any food open to the air can become contaminated, so do not keep open food in your room or kitchen.
- Wash fruit immediately before you eat it.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds before you eat and after you use the toilet.
- If you share a work space, living area with an infected person, decontaminate all surfaces to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
