What Is the Quickest Way to Get Rid of a Stomach Bug?

You can treat the symptoms of a stomach virus with varying degrees of success, but usually you just have to wait until your body clears the virus to feel better.

Viral gastroenteritis, sometimes called a “stomach bug” or the “stomach flu” is a viral infection of the stomach and intestines that can cause diarrhea and vomiting. 

The hallmark symptoms of a stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) usually start suddenly, can be severe, and include: 

• Diarrhea 
• Vomiting

Other symptoms of a stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) include:

• Fever
• Headache 
• Muscle aches
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration, caused by loss of fluids from diarrhea and/or vomiting
  • Severe dehydration can be life-threatening
  • Dehydration occurs more frequently in babies, young children, and the elderly

Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Thirst
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Dark yellow urine

A stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) is usually caused by viruses, including: 

• Norovirus 
• Rotavirus
• Enteric adenovirus
• Astrovirus

Viral gastroenteritis peaks in the winter and spring when these viruses are most actively spreading in the community.

The viruses that cause stomach bugs are spread from person to person by:

• Touching an infected person 
• Touching a surface with the virus on it
• Consuming foods or drinks with the virus in them 

A stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) is usually diagnosed with a history and physical exam. 

Tests to check for which virus may be causing the infection include:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Stool tests

There is no real cure for a stomach bug (viral gastroenteritis) because it is caused by a virus. Most people don’t need medical treatment and symptoms will go away on their own within a few days, though in some people symptoms may last up to 10 days. 

Antibiotics are not used to treat viral gastroenteritis since it is caused by viruses, and antibiotics are only used to treat infections caused by bacteria. 

While medical treatment is often not needed, there may be ways you can help relieve symptoms more quickly. 

• Drink adequate fluids to prevent dehydration
  • Adults and older children can drink sports drinks
  • Young children and babies can drink an oral rehydration solution such as Pedialyte
  • Avoid drinks with a lot of sugar, such as juices and sodas, which can worsen diarrhea
• If you can keep food down: 
  • Eat mild, bland foods such as rice and bananas
  • If you can tolerate it, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may be consumed
  • Avoid foods with a lot of fat and sugar, which can aggravate symptoms
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
  • Adults under age 65 who have diarrhea, no fever, and no blood in the stool may take loperamide (Imodium) to stop diarrhea for 1 to 2 days
  • Adults over age 65, or patients who have a fever or blood in the stool should not take loperamide without first talking to their doctor
  • Children should not be given medicines to stop diarrhea

Patients who have severe dehydration might need intravenous (IV) fluids.