How IV Fluid Can Help Your Stomach Flu

Feb 2, 2022 | IV Infusions

You’re running a fever, you have an upset stomach, and you have no appetite. You may be suffering from stomach flu.

Sometimes called stomach bugs, stomach flu is an unpleasant affliction that negatively affects you and those around you.

Constant nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and endless visits to the bathroom that accompanies stomach flu can make it hard to go about your daily life. It can also cause you to feel depressed and tired as you try to stay away from food.

Stomach flu can cause severe dehydration that can pose serious complications to your health. You must replace fluids and electrolytes (salt and minerals) lost through diarrhea and vomiting by drinking a lot of fluids to prevent dehydration from happening.

However, this is not always possible, especially if you’re unable to consume liquids because of nausea or vomiting. In this case, you may need fluids through IV.

IV fluids are essential if you can’t keep down any oral fluids. The IV fluids help maintain hydration levels and help flush out your system if you have a bacterial or viral infection.

IV fluids are also vital in preventing dehydration, a common symptom of the stomach flu.

Here at NP 2 GO Clinic, we know it’s challenging to leave your home for treatment when you have stomach flu. We bring the IV treatment to your home specially designed to target all symptoms associated with nausea and any diseases caused by cold and flu.

What Are Stomach Viruses?

Stomach virus, also known as gastroenteritis, is an inflammation of the stomach, small intestine, and colon.

Most people with stomach viruses feel very ill. They have fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. The most common viruses causing gastroenteritis are norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus. These viruses can cause mild to severe gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Stomach viruses are contagious and can cause various symptoms that range from mild to severe. They’re spread through contact with another person who has the virus, but they can also infect you through contact with infected food or water or by touching an infected surface such as countertops or doorknobs.

The best way to prevent stomach viruses is to wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially before eating or touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. It’s also important to keep surfaces that come into contact with food sanitary.

Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Virus

Even though it’s often called stomach flu, gastroenteritis isn’t similar to influenza. Flu (influenza) only affects the respiratory system-your nose, throat, and lungs, while gastroenteritis affects

your intestines, resulting in symptoms like:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain or cramps
  • Fever (may also occur with other infections)
  • Occasional muscle aches or headache
  • Inability to keep down food or fluids

It’s worth noting that both food poisoning and stomach flu share the same symptoms. You may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping in both cases. But with food poisoning, you also might have chills, a high fever, and excessive thirst. Whether you have stomach bugs or food poisoning, IV fluids can work better in alleviating the symptoms.

When Should You Use IV Fluids on Stomach Virus?

Most people recover at home within a few days without serious complications. However, some symptoms may persist and cause serious health complications if left untreated. Seek medical help if you’re:

  • Vomiting for over 24 hours
  • Having diarrhea for more than three days
  • Unable to keep fluids down for over 24 hours
  • Having blood in vomit or stool
  • Having a fever of 104F (40C)
  • Dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include dry mouth, excessive thirst, dizziness, severe weakness, deep yellow urine, and less or no urine.

Do IV Fluids Help The Stomach Virus?

When you’re vomiting or having diarrhea, you may become dehydrated. This happens when the body loses more fluid than it takes in, which can lead to weakness, fatigue, and dizziness. If not treated quickly, dehydration can lead to shock and even death.

An IV helps replenish fluids and electrolytes (minerals such as sodium and potassium) lost through vomiting or diarrhea. The IV fluids go directly into veins and are absorbed into the bloodstream faster than if you took them by mouth. That means the fluid is more likely to reach the kidneys and restore the proper water balance and electrolytes. An IV can also ease the symptoms of a stomach bug, such as nausea, vomiting, and body aches.

Related: Get IV fluids for dehydration if you notice these signs

Which is The Best IV Fluid for Stomach Flu?

One of the best IV fluids for the stomach flu is Myers’ cocktail. This is due to its powerful vitamins and supplements that relieve the symptoms of stomach viruses.

  • B12 which helps relieve nausea
  • B Complex helps combat constant fatigue and tiredness associated with stomach bugs.
  • Vitamin C boosts the immune system as you recover from the flu

Myers’ cocktail also contains magnesium, zinc, and the antioxidant glutathione that eases body aches and pains, boosts the immune system, and detoxifies the body.

Adding customized anti-nausea medications to your stomach virus IV fluids can also be beneficial. Zofran, Reglan, and Pepcid are great anti-nausea medications that you can add to your stomach flu IV fluid to relieve your stomach queasiness and vomiting.

I help you determine the best IV therapy plus the medications you need depending on your current health condition.

 

“It was such a great experience to get the Myers’ cocktail in the comfort of our home. I’m an impossible stick and Kara and her team went above and beyond to take great care of us.” – Lauren Nowell

 

How NP2GO Clinic Helps When You Have Stomach Flu in Oklahoma

We know how challenging it can be with the stomach flu to get out of your bed or leave your house to a hospital or an urgent care center. We’re the most trusted mobile IV fluid provider in Oklahoma City and we bring the IV therapy for the stomach virus to your home or wherever you are.

Stomach flu doesn’t have to pull you down. My team comprises registered and qualified nurses, experts in treating stomach bugs. Our compassionate patient care and meticulous attention to detail ensure you experience the most health benefits from your IV fluid for stomach flu.

 

“Best team ever! quick care and easy communication. They’re my go-to now.” – Dacia Harris

 

Explore our pricing and contact us when you need an IV for stomach flu or book an appointment online.

You’re now on your way to enjoying the benefits of IV fluids for stomach flu. What next? How about learning all the benefits of vitamin B12?