how do you stop a stomach virus once it has started?

Answer 1

Sorry :( You can't. The virus somehow gets introduced into your system and your body responds by quickly trying to get the foreign object out. That's what causes the vomiting and diarrhea. Taking Immodium and other OTC medicines for these symptoms aren't a good idea, because your body needs to get rid of this virus. Usually they only last 24 hours ... even if it can be a horrible 24 hours. Stick with a clear liquid diet, and if you think you may be getting dehydrated, go see the doctor.

Answer 2

You can't. A virus has to run its course and will take a few days in all.
Bacterial infections can be halted with antibiotics, but these agents do NOT work on stomach flu. Other types of viruses may respond to specific antiviral agents, such as Tamiflu for influenza, and the AIDS antivirals such as ritonavir, sidivudine etc.
But since stomach flu rarely kills people, antivirals for it haven't been developed.
What you CAN do is make the patient more comfortable with good hydration and keep the rest of the family from catching it by vigorous handwashing, and stalwart cleaning.
Good things to drink are clear liquids: flat ginger ale (the bubbles make it worse), tea (add honey to replete sugars), water and broth (chicken or beef boullion) and jello. Acetaminaphen for fever if needed, but ibuprofen is rougher on the stomach and may upset it more.
Once the patient is able to tolerate these, re-introduce foods via the BRAT diet- bananas, rice, applesauce and tea. These are easy to digest foods that will replete sugars, electrolytes and amino acids.
5-7 days and the patient should be back to normal. Call the doc if not.

Answer 3

Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach and small and large intestines. Most cases are infectious, although gastroenteritis may follow ingestion of drugs and chemical toxins (eg, metals, plant substances). Symptoms include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. Diagnosis is clinical or by stool culture, although immunoassays are increasingly used. Treatment is symptomatic, although parasitic and some bacterial infections require specific anti-infective therapy.
A common treatment is to eat dry food (e.g. cooked toast with nothing on it) daily until the infection disappears.
The principal treatment of diarrheal illness in both children and adults is rehydration, i.e. replenishment of water lost in the stools. Depending on the degree of dehydration, this can be done orally with oral rehydration solutions (ORS), commercial or home-made rehydration fluids, or through intravenous delivery. Symptoms may exhibit themselves for up to 6 days. Bowel movements will return to normal within a week after that.
Because of the stomach's fragility due to the illness, rehydration through the drinking of fluids must be slow and spaced out as to not overwhelm the stomach and cause further nausea and vomiting. Doctors recommend that one take slow sips every few minutes, and if vomiting still occurs, it is best to refrain from any drinking or eating for the next half hour.

Answer 4

You can't complelety stop it, but you can fight it by boosting your immune system. Take some vitamins, such as Airborne, Vitamin C and Zinc, or a regular multivitamin. Drink plenty or water or a sportsdrink, such as gatorade or powerade, to replenish fluids lost. Also, get plenty of rest and sleep. The good news it that stomach viruses usually only last about 24-48 hours.

Answer 5

Usually it has to take its course.. check with a doctor to make sure you are not dehydrated or that it isn't something else. You need to drink plenty of fluids.. when I have a stomach virus I drink Gatorade. Bananas, breads, and rice are good to eat.

Answer 6

Just ignore it.