The stomach is a crucial part of the digestive system that contains muscles. Its primary role is to store and digest food until it is ready to move on to the small intestine. Unfortunately, the stomach is prone to various health issues, including viral gastroenteritis, commonly called stomach flu. This is a temporary illness caused by inflammation of the digestive system. To manage this infection, here is some information you should know.

Symptoms
Gastroenteritis damages the intestine, which may lead to a range of signs. Furthermore, depending on the case, the symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after the individual is infected and may range from mild to severe. The signs of gastroenteritis usually last a day or two. However, sometimes it may extend for up to 14 days. A few symptoms that one may experience due to gastroenteritis include:

• The loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Puss in the stools
• Bloody stools
• Feeling unwell, such as experiencing body aches and lethargy

The symptoms of gastroenteritis are similar, which is why many confuse viral diarrhea with diarrhea caused by bacteria, such as Clostrdiodes difficile, Escherichia coli, and salmonella or parasites, like giardia. Therefore, those who experience any of these symptoms should consult with an expert to detect the onset of a stomach flu.

Causes
An individual may get viral gastroenteritis when they eat contaminated food. Certain shellfish, especially raw or undercooked, may make an individual sick. Drinking contaminated water is also a cause of viral diarrhea. They may also develop the condition if they share utensils, food, or towels with another individual who has a virus that could cause the condition. Two viruses that may cause stomach flu include noroviruses and rotavirus. Some factors may put you at a greater risk of developing gastroenteritis.

• Children in childcare centers or elementary schools are usually vulnerable because it takes time for the immune system to mature. So close contact with an infected individual may result in quicker disease development.
• The immune system usually degrades as an individual gets older. So those who pass a certain age might be at a greater risk of contracting gastroenteritis. Furthermore, younger people with a weakened immune system might also be susceptible to stomach flu as their infection resistance is much lower.
• School children or dormitory residents, where people come together in close quarters, usually create an environment where it is easy to pass intestinal infections.

Management methods
There is no specific treatment for viral gastroenteritis, as antibiotics are usually ineffective against viruses. One of the best ways to tackle the condition is to prevent dehydration. A few self-care measures to stay hydrated include:

• Controlling the consumption of solid foods for a few hours to let the stomach settle. Once affected individuals feel better, they should return to their regular meals. They may find it easier to consume bland, easy-to-digest foods at first, like soup, oats, noodles, rice, and bananas. However, they should stop the foods if nausea recurs.
• Drinking non-caffeinated sports drinks, clear soda, and clear broth to stay hydrated.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages and fatty or highly seasoned foods, as common dehydration causes
  Getting ample rest as the infection and dehydration often make an individual weak and tired.
  Speaking to a healthcare expert about taking prescriptions to manage symptoms.