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.
Disinfect Surfaces
Another important way to avoid the “stomach flu” is by disinfecting surfaces, especially if someone in the family is ill. Keep bathrooms scrupulously clean. Sanitize kitchen surfaces. Even things like cleaning door knobs, telephones, and your computer mouse with alcohol will reduce greatly your chances of contracting viral gastroenteritis.
Reduce frequency of eating out in restaurants, getting deli takeout, etc.
You might not hear about this often, but another good way to avoid the “stomach flu” is to reduce the number of times that you go to a restaurant, get a takeout order from the deli, or make a quick trip through the fast food restaurant drive-through. All it takes to expose you to viral gastroenteritis is one employee who is either already ill, or about to become ill, not sanitizing his hands completely, then handling your food and beverage. The virus can transfer simply from the employee touching your plate, filling your cup, or even making change for you.
Other people around you may be ill, but you do not have to get sick yourself. Keep your hands clean, sanitize surfaces in your home, avoid sick people, and cut down on your restaurant meals. You could enjoy a healthy winter.
Reference:
- How to Stay Healthy This Winter www.healthguidance.org/articles/4840/1/How-to-Stay-Healthy-this-Winter.html
