Stomach Flu

Symptoms

• Watery diarrhea: Frequent loose or liquid stools, usually without blood, that can quickly drain fluids and electrolytes.
• Nausea and vomiting: An urge to vomit and repeated vomiting that make it hard to keep food or liquids down.
• Abdominal cramps: Intermittent belly pain and cramping from irritation of the stomach and intestines.
• Low-grade fever: A mild fever and chills as the body fights the infection; high or persistent fever is less typical and warrants closer attention.
• Muscle aches and headache: General body aches, headache, and fatigue that often come with a viral gut infection.
• Loss of appetite: Reduced desire to eat or drink, which can worsen fluid loss if it lasts more than a day.

When It's an Emergency

Come straight to Bellaire ER — open 24/7 — if you or someone you care for shows signs of severe dehydration (call 911 if they are fainting, confused, or too weak to travel safely): little or no urination for 8 or more hours, very dark urine, extreme thirst, dizziness or fainting when standing, a rapid heartbeat, sunken eyes, or unusual drowsiness, confusion, or weakness.

Seek emergency care if you cannot keep any liquids down for more than 24 hours, if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than two to three days, or if you see blood in your vomit or stool or black, tarry stools.

Other red flags that need an ER include a fever above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, severe or constant abdominal pain (especially pain focused in the lower right belly, which can signal appendicitis rather than stomach flu), a stiff neck with severe headache, or signs of dehydration in an infant, older adult, pregnant person, or anyone with a weakened immune system.

When fluid loss is severe, drinking is often not enough. Bellaire ER can restore fluids and electrolytes quickly with IV therapy and rule out more serious causes on site.

When It's Not an Emergency

Most stomach flu is mild and gets better on its own in one to three days. If you can sip fluids and keep some down, are urinating normally, and have no warning signs, you can usually recover at home with rest, small frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration solution, and a gradual return to bland foods.

Telemedicine or an online urgent care visit is a reasonable first step for mild symptoms. A clinician can confirm it is likely viral, suggest over-the-counter measures, and tell you which warning signs should prompt an in-person visit. Bellaire ER offers telemedicine for exactly these situations.

Your primary care doctor or an urgent care clinic is also appropriate for mild, stable symptoms or for a young child or older adult who is drinking and alert. If symptoms worsen or you develop any of the red flags above, move up to emergency care.

What Happens at Bellaire ER

When you arrive at Bellaire ER with stomach flu symptoms, a board-certified emergency physician sees you quickly and checks for dehydration and any signs of a more serious problem.

Care often includes intravenous (IV) fluids to rehydrate you and restore electrolytes, along with anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal medication to help you feel better faster. On-site labs can check your electrolytes, kidney function, and blood counts.

Because vomiting and diarrhea can occasionally point to something other than a virus, we can use our on-site CT, X-ray, and ultrasound to rule out conditions such as appendicitis, a bowel obstruction, or a kidney infection when your exam suggests it.

We diagnose and treat in a single visit, and most patients go home the same day without a hospital transfer. Before you leave, your physician explains your results, gives clear instructions on fluids and diet, and tells you which symptoms should bring you back.

Prevention

Stomach flu spreads easily, especially the norovirus that causes many outbreaks. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food; alcohol hand sanitizer helps but does not reliably kill norovirus.

Disinfect contaminated surfaces, wash soiled laundry on hot, and avoid preparing food for others while you are sick and for two days after symptoms stop. Handle and cook food safely and rinse fruits and vegetables to lower the risk of foodborne illness. A rotavirus vaccine is routinely given to infants to prevent one common cause in young children.