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Five Parts:Strategies to Feel BetterRestingManaging SymptomsOn the Road to RecoveryWhen to Seek Medical Help

Gastroenteritis, more commonly known as the stomach flu, can leave you sick for several days at a time. Although not often fatal, recovery is heavily stagnated if the illness is not treated appropriately. If you want to recuperate and recover as soon as you can, then you have to take care to manage your symptoms, hydrate, and rest. This can be as simple as eating digestible foods and avoiding strenuous activity.


Part 1 of 5: Strategies to Feel Better

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    Take an over-the-counter painkiller. If you have a severe stomachache, try dulling the pain with aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, ibuprofen, or some combination. Keep these basic guidelines in mind:
    • Tylenol is the safest painkiller for most people, and does not require you to eat something first. However, don't exceed 650mg per dose or 4000 mg per day[1].
    • Try to eat something before taking aspirin, naproxen, or ibuprofen. They can be hard on an empty and already-irritated stomach.
    • Don't take aspirin if you're under 18 years old.[2]
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    Rehydrate. The most persistent and dangerous symptom of a stomach flu is the loss of fluid, whether it's through vomiting or diarrhea. Here's what to do about it:
    • Avoid alcohol, caffeine, or anything too acidic (such as orange juice) or basic (such as milk).
    • Drink as much fluid as you can keep down. Stick to water or an electrolyte solution purchased at the pharmacy (such as Pedialyte)
    • Sports drinks (such as Gatorade) are high in sugar and do not rehydrate you. They will only increasing bloating and discomfort. [3].
    • Make your own oral rehydration solution. If you're struggling to stay hydrated or you can't leave the house to buy an electrolyte solution at the pharmacy, make your own. Mix the following, and drink as much as you can[4]:
      • 4.25 cups (1 litre) clean water
      • 6 tsp (30 ml) sugar
      • 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) salt
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    Eat bland, mushy food. Avoid irritating your already-inflamed stomach by eating foods that don't require a lot of digestion, such as:
    • Plain bread
    • Oatmeal
    • Soda crackers
    • Follow the BRAT Acronym. Eat Bananas, Rice, Apples and Toast.[5]
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    Think ahead. If you're vomiting a lot, try to avoid foods that could be uncomfortable or painful coming back up, such as chips or spicy food.
    • Upgrade to soup when you're no longer vomiting regularly. Once you feel like you can keep food down, try to eat soup, stew or broth. Try to choose one that's high in protein (such as beef broth, chicken noodle soup, or chili), as well as having vitamin-packed vegetables.
    • If all else fails, eat baby food. Commercially-produced baby food is meant to be gentle on the stomach, easily digestible, and loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Give it a shot if you can't keep anything else down.
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    Don't take antibiotics. Because gastroenteritis is caused by a virus, not a bacteria, antibiotics won't help you feel better. Don't ask for them at the pharmacy, and don't take them if offered.

Part 2 of 5: Resting

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    Rest when you can. With a few important caveats, it's vital that you get enough sleep while your body tries to fight back the stomach flu. Make time to get at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep per day, if not more.
    • Take naps. If you're able to stay home from work or school, go ahead and take a nap in the afternoon if you feel tired. Don't feel bad about being unproductive — sleeping is actually necessary for your body to repair itself and recover.
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    Set up camp. If you're most comfortable hanging out on the couch where you have easy access to food and entertainment, consider setting up blankets and pillows so that you can fall asleep there whenever you're ready, instead of moving everything to the bedroom.
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    Do not take a sleep aid if you're vomiting frequently. As tempting as it may be, stay away from the sleeping pills while you're still actively sick. Being passed out on your back and vomiting over your nose and mouth can be life-threatening.
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    If you feel extremely drowsy for more than a day, seek medical attention. You may be suffering from severe dehydration.

Part 3 of 5: Managing Symptoms

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    Don't ignore the signs. As soon as you start to feel like you'll lose it, move quickly. It's better to get up for a false alarm than to make a mess on the couch.
    • Stay near a bathroom. If you can make it to the toilet, flushing is a lot easier than having to clean a floor.
    • Vomit into something you can clean easily. If you have a few large, dishwasher-safe mixing bowls that you use infrequently (or don't plan to use ever again), consider keeping one with you throughout the day and when you go to sleep. Afterward, you can simply rinse out the contents in the sink, and wash it by hand or put it into the dishwasher.
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    Cool down. If you have a fever, try these strategies for cooling down:
    • Set up a fan so that the air blows over your body. If you're really hot, set up a metal bowl of ice in front of the fan.
    • Put a cool compress on your forehead. Wet a strip of cloth or a dishrag in cold water, and dampen it as often as you need to.
    • Take a lukewarm shower or bath. Don't worry about soaping up, just focus on cooling down.
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    Try to avoid infecting others. Recovering from the stomach flu only to take care of your now-sick spouse or child will keep you out of commission for even longer. Follow these steps to avoid passing the virus on:
    • Don't touch people if you don't have to. Avoid unnecessary hugs, kisses, or handshakes.
    • Try not to handle frequently-touched surfaces such as doorknobs, toilet handles, faucet handles, or kitchen cabinet handles. Cover your hand with the sleeve of your shirt, or put a tissue over your hand first.
    • Sneeze or cough into your elbow. Bend your arm at the elbow and bring it up to your face so that your nose and mouth are in the crook of your arm. This will prevent germs from getting on your hand, where they're more likely to be spread around.
    • Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently. If you've recently thrown up, sneezed, or handled any other bodily fluid, sanitize your hands.

Part 4 of 5: On the Road to Recovery

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    Avoid unnecessary stress. Remember: the point of relaxing and recuperating at home is to remove yourself from stressors that might slow down your recovery. Doing everything you can to get rid of tension will help you feel better faster.
    • Accept that you're sick and temporarily unable to work. Don't blow your precious energy on trying to keep up at work or school. Illness happens, and your superiors will probably be understanding and accommodating as long as you have a plan in place to make up the work later. For now, focus on feeling better.
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    Rely on lighthearted entertainment. If you can't do anything but lie down and watch a movie or television show, avoid the weepy dramas and select something cute and humorous. Studies have shown that laughter can help ease feelings of pain, and speed your recovery [6].
  3. Cope with a Stomach Flu Step 15.jpg
    Slowly ease back into your routine. As you begin to recover, add your usual tasks back to your daily life. Start with taking a shower and getting dressed as soon as you're able, and move on to doing chores, driving, and getting back to work and school when you're ready.
    • Get help with errands and daily tasks. Ask a friend or relative for help with things that must still be done, such as doing a load of laundry or picking up medication from the pharmacy. Most people will be delighted to take any extra stress off of you.

Part 5 of 5: When to Seek Medical Help

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    Call a doctor or visit a clinic if you're experiencing the following symptoms:
    • Increased or constant vomiting for more than a day
    • Fever over 101°F
    • Diarrhea for more than 2 days
    • Weight loss
    • Decreased urine production
    • Confusion
    • Weakness[7]
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    Know when to get emergency care. If you experience the following symptoms of severe dehydration, visit an emergency room or call for emergency services immediately:
    • Fever higher than 103°F
    • Confusion
    • Sluggishness (lethargy)
    • Headache
    • Seizures
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Chest or abdominal pains
    • Fainting
    • No urine in the last 12 hours[8]
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    Be aware that dehydration can be more life-threatening in children. Babies and children are at a higher risk of severe dehydration than adults. If you suspect that your child is suffering from dehydration, seek help immediately. Some common symptoms include:
    • Dark urine
    • Drier-than-usual mouth and eyes
    • A lack of tears during crying[9]

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  • Setting up a quiet and relaxing place is very helpful. Try setting up a space in your lounge room. Have buckets, drink bottles, a table, blanket, couch and movies all set up and ready for you. Sit yourself down there for a couple of hours on the couch with the blanket, watching your favorite movie and drinking regularly. It should help.
  • Drink little sips of water, don't gulp it down: you might get sick again that way.
  • Disinfect the house after getting over illness. Wash sheets, clean bathroom, door knobs, etc. (Anything that you feel was infected & will spread germs).
  • When you are laying down, try not to lay on your stomach.
  • Comfort your kids if they are sick. Don't get upset if they vomit on the floor or couch.
  • When you have the stomach flu, avoid eating fruits except for bananas and apples.
  • Eating super-cold popsicle sometimes helps as a way to introduce solid food back into your body. Take small teaspoon full amounts slowly. The cold will sooth your throat and the sweetness will help replenish your body's need for sugar and ease your stomach inflammation.
  • A relaxing, hot bath can help alleviate some of the misery involved with the symptoms. However, make sure you are not at the peak of you diarrhea and vomiting cycles.
  • A Popsicle can help soothe the feeling of your sore throat.
  • Use small plastic bags/can liners for throw up buckets. Tie them up and replace the after each bout this will make for easy clean up and stop the virus from spreading.
  • If you have long hair, it's a good idea to wear it back in a ponytail, so that you don't make a mess of it if you feel sick to your stomach.
  • Don't be too proud to ask for help!
  • It often helps to keep your area dim and noise to a minimum. That way you won't tire out your eyes with the bright light. Noise often leads to headaches and stress.
  • What's commonly known as the stomach flu is actually viral gastroenteritis, which is not caused by the influenza virus, but by rotaviruses, noroviruses, and the Norwalk virus. That means that even if you've had a flu shot, you can still get the stomach flu.
  • You can vomit in a bucket or trashcan, but it's going to be harder to get rid of the smell, and you (or someone else) are going to have to throw it out. The toilet is the best because you just can just flush.
  • If you do vomit, try to close your eyes so that you don't see it. Sometimes, if you vomit and look at it, it will just make you feel like vomiting again. Also, if you don't want to get your hair dirty and there is no hair band close, try to hold it back with your hand.
  • Try drinking warm green tea to soothe the stomach and ease the pain.
  • Get children vaccinated against rotavirus [10]. A norovirus vaccine for adults is forthcoming [11]


  • If there is ever any blood or mucus in your diarrhea or vomit, or if it lasts for more than three days, see a doctor immediately.

Article Info

Categories: Intestinal and Digestive Health

Recent edits by: Wireless Powerlines, Abrogation316, Mocca24

In other languages:

Deutsch: Wie man mit einer Magengrippe fertig wird, Italiano: Come Affrontare una Gastroenterite, Português: Como Lidar com a Gripe Intestinal, Español: Cómo lidiar con la “gripe estomacal”, Nederlands: omgaan met buikgriep, Русский: справиться с гастроэнтеритом, 中文: 应对胃肠型流感, Français: Comment faire face à une grippe intestinale

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