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Easy Appointment Booking

Booking an appointment for gastroenteritis treatment online is simple with Mobi Doctor. Choose a time that works for you and connect with a doctor quickly. No waiting rooms, just hassle-free access to expert care from home.

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Personalised Treatment

Get effective gastroenteritis treatment online with tailored solutions from experienced doctors. Mobi Doctor helps manage symptoms like diarrhoea, nausea, and dehydration, providing remedies and lifestyle advice to speed recovery. Start your treatment journey with trusted professionals today.

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Ongoing Support

Mobi Doctor offers ongoing care and guidance for gastroenteritis treatment online. From follow-ups to personalised advice, our doctors help you recover fully and prevent future issues. Support is just a click away whenever you need it.

Medically Reviewed

By

Chrysoula I. Liakou

MD, PhD, Internal Medicine Specialist and
Cancer Immunology Researcher.

What is Gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis, also known as the "stomach bug," occurs when your stomach and intestines become inflamed. It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. You might get it from eating or drinking something that’s not clean or from being around someone who is sick. Viruses like norovirus and bacteria such as E. coli or Salmonella are common causes.

 

Gastroenteritis spreads quickly through dirty hands, unclean food or water, or touching contaminated surfaces. Washing your hands often, especially before eating and after using the toilet, is one of the best ways to protect yourself.

 

If you catch gastroenteritis, drinking plenty of fluids and resting is essential. Most cases get better on their own, but if symptoms last a long time or are very bad, you should see a doctor. Knowing the symptoms and how it spreads can help you stay safe and recover quickly.

Gastroenteritis Symptoms

Gastroenteritis can make you feel unwell, but the symptoms usually disappear in a few days. Knowing what to look for can help you manage it better and avoid serious problems like dehydration.

Common symptoms include:

  • Diarrhoea: Watery or loose stools that happen often.
  • Vomiting: Feeling sick and throwing up.
  • Stomach pain or cramps: Tight, painful feelings in your belly.
  • Nausea: Feeling like you might throw up.
  • Fever: A high temperature, sometimes with chills.
  • Headache: A dull or throbbing pain in your head.
  • Tiredness and weakness: Feeling very low on energy.
  • Dehydration: Dry mouth, feeling very thirsty, dark-coloured pee, or feeling dizzy.

For babies and young children, dehydration can also appear as fewer wet nappies, a sunken soft spot on their heads, or unusual fussiness or sleepiness.

If the symptoms last longer than a few days or worsen, it’s essential to see a doctor.

Gastroenteritis Causes

Gastroenteritis happens when germs infect your stomach and intestines, making them swollen and upset. These germs can come from many places, like dirty food, water, or even other people.

Main causes include:

  • Viruses: These are the most common cause. Viruses like norovirus or rotavirus spread quickly through touching things or being near someone sick.
  • Bacteria: Bacteria like coli and Salmonella can make you sick if you eat undercooked or dirty food or drink unsafe water.
  • Parasites are tiny germs, like Giardia, that you might get from drinking dirty water.
  • Contaminated food or water: Eating or drinking water that hasn’t been cleaned or cooked correctly can give you gastroenteritis.
  • Not washing hands: Germs can spread if you don’t wash your hands after going to the toilet, changing nappies, or touching raw food.

Gastroenteritis can spread quickly, especially in schools, daycares, or care homes. It’s also more common if you travel to places where the water and food aren’t clean.

You can help prevent it by washing your hands often and being careful with the food and water you eat and drink.

Gastroenteritis Treatment

Treating gastroenteritis is all about helping your body recover and avoiding dehydration. Most people get better in a few days, but it’s important to take good care of yourself. Here’s what you can do:

  1. Drink Plenty of Fluids: The most important thing is to stay hydrated. When you have diarrhoea or vomiting, you lose water and salts your body needs. To replace them, drink lots of water, clear soups, or oral rehydration solutions (ORS). Avoid fizzy drinks, coffee, or anything with caffeine, as they can make you feel worse. If someone is very dehydrated, like a small child or older person, they may need to go to the hospital for fluids through an IV.
  2. Eat Simple Foods: Stick to small, bland meals when you feel ready to eat. Foods like rice, bananas, toast, and applesauce are gentle on your stomach. Avoid spicy, greasy, or heavy foods until you feel better. Eating simple foods helps your stomach recover without extra stress.
  3. Take Medicine if Needed: Sometimes, medicine can help with diarrhoea or nausea, but only if a doctor says it’s okay. Antibiotics aren’t usually needed unless a specific bacteria causes the illness. Talk to a doctor before giving any medicine to children.
  4. Rest and Relax: Your body needs rest to heal. Take it easy, sleep well, and avoid doing anything too tiring while you recover. Rest helps your body fight off the infection faster.
  5. Keep Things Clean: Wash your hands often and keep your home clean to stop the illness from spreading to others. This is especially important if you care for children or share spaces like bathrooms.

If you don’t feel better after a few days or notice signs of severe dehydration (like dizziness or no pee), immediately see a doctor. These steps will help you recover safely and quickly.

Gastroenteritis Prevention

The best way to avoid gastroenteritis is to stop the germs before they make you sick. With a few simple habits, you can keep yourself and others healthy.

  1. Wash Your Hands Often: Washing your hands is the easiest way to stop germs. Use soap and water, especially before eating, after using the toilet, or after changing nappies. Hand sanitiser can help, but soap works best.
  2. Eat Safe Food and Drink Clean Water: Make sure your food is cooked all the way through. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating, and avoid raw or undercooked meat, seafood, or eggs. Always drink clean water. If you’re unsure about the water, boil it or drink bottled water instead.
  3. Keep Things Clean: Germs can live on surfaces like kitchen counters, toys, and door handles. Clean these areas regularly with disinfectant, especially if someone at home is sick.
  4. Stay Away from Sick People
    If someone you know is sick, try not to get too close to them. Don’t share food, drinks, or utensils until they feel better.
  5. Get Vaccinated: Some types of gastroenteritis, like rotavirus, can be prevented with vaccines. Talk to your doctor to see if you or your family need one.

These simple steps can help protect you from gastroenteritis and keep your stomach happy and healthy!

Mobi Doctor offers quick and convenient online consultations to help you manage and treat gastroenteritis symptoms from the comfort of your home. Get expert advice and personalised care anytime!

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