Stomach flu (Gastroenteritis) treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Yes. In most cases, a doctor from Maple will be able to offer a gastroenteritis diagnosis by evaluating your condition, discussing your symptoms, and reviewing possible outbreaks in your community.

In some cases, the doctor may request that you submit a stool sample to a clinic for testing to determine the exact cause of your condition. This can also confirm whether the infection was caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection.

Once the doctor has determined the specific cause of your condition, they’ll be able to offer the most effective gastroenteritis treatment for your needs.

Yes. Our physicians can prescribe medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it works page to learn more.

Gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, can be caused by different viruses, including noroviruses, rotaviruses, and adenoviruses, and bacterial or parasitic infections. This condition is characterized by an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the stomach and small intestine.

Because there are so many stomach flu causes, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the condition without performing testing on stool samples.

Common stomach flu symptoms include:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea or watery stool
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Low-grade fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches or stiffness

Most frequently, gastroenteritis is viral. This means it can be caused by a number of viruses, including noroviruses, rotaviruses, and adenoviruses.

These forms of stomach flu causes typically result from consuming contaminated food or water or coming into contact with surfaces, utensils, or clothing or towels that have been contaminated by someone carrying an active virus.

Bacterial gastroenteritis is caused by coming into contact with droplets of saliva or fecal matter from infected with E. Coli or salmonella bacteria.

Stomach flu duration depends mainly on the type of gastroenteritis and whether you receive stomach flu treatment.

The viral stomach flu incubation period can range anywhere from 12 to 72 hours and typically lasts only one or two days, but can last as long as ten days depending on the severity of the infection.

Unfortunately, because this condition is usually viral, there is no gastroenteritis treatment available other than home remedies, which are more likely to help minimize discomfort than to combat the illness. Some common viral stomach flu treatment methods include:

• Bed rest
• Avoiding foods that upset or irritate the gastrointestinal tract
• Drinking small amounts of clear fluids frequently to avoid dehydration
• Eating small portions of bland, soft foods
• Being cautious with medications that could cause additional irritation

If the gastroenteritis is discovered to be bacterial, antibiotics may be prescribed to help the body fight off the infection. Additional medications may be suggested if the gastroenteritis is believed to be caused by intestinal parasites.

Yes. Both viral and bacterial gastroenteritis are contagious and can be spread through both saliva and fecal-to-oral contact.

These can be minimized by avoiding contact with those who are infected and not consuming possibly infected food or water. Increased handwashing and sanitary measures, like sanitizing shared surfaces, frequent washing of clothes or towels, and not sharing utensils or cups, can also reduce the risks of spreading the infection.

Gastroenteritis is categorized as an inflammation or irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the stomach and small intestine, while gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. Gastritis isn’t always necessarily caused by an infection, although it can be.

In other words, while some stomach flu symptoms are similar to those experienced by someone who has gastritis, the two conditions are different.

Moreover, while both conditions can be caused by a number of different sources, gastroenteritis is most frequently caused by a type of infection, while gastritis can commonly be caused by diet, lifestyle habits, or other underlying conditions, such as acid reflux, pernicious anemia, or autoimmune disorders.

In many cases, medical professionals will use the term gastroenteritis to describe both food poisoning and the stomach flu. This is because both can be caused by consuming food that’s contaminated with viruses, bacteria, or parasites.

Moreover, stomach flu symptoms can be the same as food poisoning, depending on the specific source of the illnesses.

This means that in most cases food poisoning would most likely be considered gastroenteritis, while not all types of gastroenteritis would be considered food poisoning.

With Maple, you can start talking to a doctor about your symptoms in minutes. We’re a healthcare platform for fast, convenient 24/7 access to Canadian doctors.

Simply log in, tap a button to request a consultation, and we’ll connect you to a doctor via live chat or video. You can visit our How it works page to learn more.

Our doctors can assess symptoms and provide treatment, including prescriptions as necessary.