What helps with gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis, or stomach flu as it is sometimes referred to, has nothing to do with classic flu. It is an inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. The culprits are usually viruses or bacteria. Gastro-intestinal infections occur very frequently. This is especially true among children and when travelling. Typical symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting and acute diarrhoea. The symptoms strike suddenly and can be very severe depending on the trigger – our immune system wants to get rid of the disease-causing intruders as quickly as possible.

Viruses are almost always responsible for the infection. In the case of babies and small children, rotaviruses are the most common pathogens, followed by highly contagious noroviruses. Both viral infections lead to heavy diarrhoea, usually combined with projectile vomiting.

Bacterial infections are rarer but more persistent. They last longer and cause severe cramps and intensive diarrhoea or diarrhoea with vomiting, sometimes with a high fever. The most common bacterial pathogens are Salmonella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, Shigella and pathogenic strains of the intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli, usually referred to as E. coli for short. Infection occurs via unclean water and contaminated food (e.g. raw meat) as well as through contact with faeces or animals.

Where parasites are the trigger, this usually comes after trips to countries with low hygiene standards.

People contract gastroenteritis as a result of so-called faecal-oral smear infection, i.e. through contact with traces of faeces that enter the mouth via your hand or via contaminated objects or food. The key to preventing gastroenteritis is thus to wash your hands with soap. Generally speaking, you should ensure good hygiene in your kitchen and home.

A viral infection subsides by itself within two or three days. It is important to drink a lot in order to replenish the body’s lost fluids and minerals. Healthy adults can temporarily cope well with a fluid deficit, but still feel weak. For weakened, older people and children, however, dehydration can be dangerous. You should therefore look out for its signs (see also the section “When to go to the doctor?”).

Make sure you take in enough fluids: at least 1.5 to 2 litres per day during the acute phase. The most tolerable liquids for your stomach are still water, herbal tea and bouillon. Bouillon also replenishes your body’s lost electrolytes. Do not have any sweetened drinks such as fruit juices, energy drinks, coffee and alcohol – they only irritate your stomach and intestines even more.

Electrolyte solutions are appropriate for young children, older people and those suffering from severe diarrhoea. The ready-made solutions contain the right quantities of dextrose, salts and minerals to make up for the lack of water and salt. They can be found in pharmacies as a powder that is ready to mix with water. Or you can make your own electrolyte solution:

Also give your body a lot of rest. Physical exertion is taboo – your immune system already has enough to do with fighting the pathogen in your intestines.

During the initial acute phase of gastroenteritis, not eating is a sensible course of treatment. However, make sure to avoid hypoglycaemia. Start with light food as soon as you feel hungry again or your appetite comes back. The following foods are gentle on the stomach and intestines – make sure to always chew well!

• Rusk or stale bread without any topping. This provides quick energy. Fresh bread, on the other hand, should be avoided.
• Porridge calms your stomach and provides your body with energy, fluids and mineral salts.
• Pure mashed potatoes – prepared exclusively with water and without any seasoning or butter.
• Soup or purée made from carrots or courgette
• If you can tolerate it, fennel is also a good choice. Its essential oils have a calming effect on the digestive tract.
• If you have been able to tolerate everything well up to this point, try with a grated apple or mashed banana. In addition to fructose, the fruit will also provide you with electrolytes and, in the case of apples, also the fibre pectin, which eases diarrhoea.
• Small quantities of rice or noodles.

Avoid fats and fibres such as those found in sausages, cheese, milk, wholemeal bread, muesli, fruit and raw vegetables. You should also give heavily seasoned, sweet or flatulence-inducing food and coffee a miss for the time being. Pay attention to what does you good – and expand your diet step by step.

Prolonged diarrhoea indicates the presence of aggressive germs. In such cases, a medical check-up is required in order to identify the specific trigger of the infection. Contact your doctor in the following situations:

• Your symptoms do not improve within three days
• Persistent high fever
• Blood in your stools
• Illness after returning from long-distance travel
• Illness after being discharged from hospital
• Signs of dehydration such as circulatory problems, dizziness, confusion, fainting or kidney failure
• Stomach ache (tense abdomen that is sensitive to pressure)

• The child is tired and inactive or apathetic.
• The child has dark rings or sunken eyes. In the case of babies: sunken fontanelle.
• Weak sucking reflex, insufficient drinking
• Almost no urine is being passed (fewer than two to three wet nappies per day).
• Skin, mouth and tongue are dry
• No tears when crying.
• Persistent high fever
• Persistent vomiting and frequent bowel movements
• Skin rashes
• Blood in urine