Stomach infection [causes and symptoms] 4 treatment methods + home remedies

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If you've ever had sudden nausea, nagging heartburn, or weakness from diarrhea, you've probably heard of a stomach infection. In most cases, this common disease improves spontaneously or with simple care. But sometimes it interferes with daily life and requires antibiotics or other medical treatment.

In this article from Darmankade Health Magazine we intend to introduce you to the nature of stomach infection, its causes and the symptoms that should be treated. Let's get to know them. The goal is to be able to evaluate your situation with more awareness when faced with such a situation and choose the most appropriate treatment if needed.

What is stomach infection?
- Types of stomach infection
symptoms of stomach infection
- 1. Symptoms of viral infection
- 3. Symptoms of parasitic infection
Is stomach infection dangerous?
What does the stomach cause?
Is stomach infection contagious?
Stomach infection treatment
What is stomach infection?

Stomach infection or gastroenteritis due to entry Bacteria, viruses and parasites enter the digestive system and lead to annoying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. This disease occurs when the immune system is activated and sends inflammatory cells to the digestive system to fight infection and repair damaged tissues.

Types of stomach infection

This disease is divided into three main categories, which are:

1. Stomach flu (viral infection)

Viruses are the most common cause of gastroenteritis. Several types of viruses can cause infection and gastritis of the stomach, the most common of which are:
- rotaviruses
- noroviruses
- adenoviruses
noroviruses are more common in adults; While adenoviruses and rotaviruses mostly infect infants and young children.
Viral infections cause viral gastroenteritis, which is the most common type overall. Viruses cause 60% of all gastroenteritis cases.

Viral infections cause viral gastroenteritis, which is the most common type of this disease. Viruses cause 60% of all gastroenteritis cases. Bacterial infection
Bacterial infections are the second most common cause of gastroenteritis and are often called food poisoning. These infections can be caused by different types of bacteria, including: Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, and bacteria are one of the most common causes of stomach infections.
3. Parasitic Infections

Parasites rarely cause stomach infections, but they usually cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms. These infections are more common in developing countries and areas where access to clean water is limited. They are caused by 2 types of parasites:
- Intestinal worms
- Single-celled organisms called protozoa
Symptoms of stomach infection

Symptoms of gastroenteritis depend on the cause. In the following, we mention the most important ones.

1. Symptoms of viral infection

The symptoms of viral gastroenteritis vary depending on the severity of the infection and include the following:
- Watery diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Fever
- Cramps and abdominal pain
- Chilling
- Cold and wet skin
- Sweating
- Dry and stiff joints
- Muscle pain
Symptoms usually appear suddenly, between four and 48 hours after exposure to the virus. These symptoms disappear in most people after a few days without the need for treatment.

It is important to mention that various diseases can contribute to the occurrence of heartache and other digestive symptoms. For more information, we suggest reading the article What are the symptoms of upper stomach pain.

Do you want to know the exact cause of your stomach pain?
Make an appointment with a specialist and get treated quickly. The best gastroenterology specialist doctor in Tehran Gastroenterology specialist online visit
2. Symptoms of bacterial infection

Symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis are very similar to those of viral infection, but are usually more severe. Acute symptoms that last more than three days or cause dehydration are more likely to be caused by bacteria. Bloody diarrhea is also a common symptom of bacterial gastroenteritis. Symptoms usually begin within 12 hours after eating contaminated food and in severe cases can last up to seven days.

3. Parasitic infection symptoms

Parasitic infections usually appear later than viral or bacterial gastroenteritis, and their symptoms appear seven to 14 days after contact with the pathogen. These symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Smelly stool
- Greasy stool
- Cramps and abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Itchy skin
Symptoms in this type of infection resolve later and usually between 2 It takes 6 weeks. In addition, in severe cases, the disease may lead to reactive arthritis, which is associated with swelling and stiffness of the joints.
Fever is one of the most common symptoms of stomach parasitic infections.
How to know if the stomach has an infection?

Stomach infection is usually associated with loss of appetite and digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Since these symptoms may also be seen in other diseases, it is better to see a gastroenterology specialist for accurate diagnosis.

The doctor can diagnose the cause of the disease by taking the history and examining the symptoms. However, if the symptoms are abnormal, he may order a blood or stool test. The test can confirm the presence of an infection and rule out other diseases.

Is a stomach infection dangerous?

This disease is not dangerous in most cases, but it can lead to serious complications in the following people:
- Children under five years of age
- Adults over 65
- People with a weak immune system
What causes a stomach infection? Is it possible?

Gastroenteritis is a short-term illness that usually improves by itself. In this situation, the most important complication that you should watch out for is dehydration . When you have frequent diarrhea or vomiting, the body loses a lot of fluids and electrolytes, which can get you into trouble if you can't replace them quickly.

If gastroenteritis persists for a long time, it can damage the digestive system and lead to stomach bleeding. On the other hand, some infectious agents may have complications that are separate from the effects of gastroenteritis. They can cause long-term damage to the body.

Is stomach infection contagious?

Stomach microbe Contaminates the stool and is transmitted to anyone who comes in contact with the stool. The most common route of infection is consumption of contaminated food or water; But contact with an infected person or the surfaces he has touched can also be dangerous.

Infections of the digestive system are usually contagious as long as there are symptoms and up to 2 days after that. These are the last 2 days when the body expels the infection through the feces.

When should you see a doctor?

Severe infections should not be ignored. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Symptoms of dehydration such as dry mouth, dark urine, decreased urine volume, or dizziness
- Fever above 4.100F (38°C) that lasts for more than a few days
- Diarrhea or vomiting that lasts for more than 2 days
- Blood or tarry stools
- Heart palpitations
- Fainting
If you experience serious symptoms such as high fever or heart palpitations due to a stomach infection, see a doctor immediately.
Causes of stomach infection

Viruses, bacteria and parasites enter the digestive system in different ways. Next, we will check how to transfer them.

1. Viral infection

Viral gastroenteritis is usually transmitted by eating contaminated food or using shared utensils. Close physical contact can also play a role in its transmission.

The route of transmission is oral-fecal; That is, the faeces of a person infected with the virus are transferred to food or items that come into contact with the mouth. Unsanitary kitchens can increase the risk of transmission. Failure to wash hands after using the toilet will also have the same effect.

2. Bacterial infection

Bacterial gastroenteritis usually occurs when food contaminated with feces is left at room temperature for several hours and the bacteria can multiply to toxic levels. The foods most associated with this disease are:
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Chicken
- Seafood
- Eggs
- Raw sprouts
- Unpasteurized milk
Similar to viral gastroenteritis, the main route of transmission of infection is oral-fecal. Some transmissions occur from human to human; Like when people have oral-anal sex or contact food with contaminated hands. Other transmissions occur when agricultural products are contaminated with animal manure.

3. Parasitic infection

Parasitic infections are usually transmitted through contaminated water. Traveling to developing countries or drinking public water after natural disasters are among the most common causes of this disease.

Parasitic gastroenteritis may also be transmitted to young children in kindergartens through the oral-fecal route. Some sexual behaviors, including oral-anal intercourse, can also play a role in its occurrence.

Risk factors for stomach infections

Almost all people may suffer from gastroenteritis. But the following factors increase the probability of its occurrence:
- Age less than 6 years or more than 65 years
- Attendance in a nursery or nursing home
- Consumption of fish or raw meat
- Travel to less developed countries
- Suffering from chronic diseases that weaken the immune system
- Frequent use of alcohol or some drugs
Presence in Public places such as kindergartens or nursing homes increase the risk of stomach infections.
Stomach infection treatment

The best way to speed up the healing process is to get enough rest and drink plenty of fluids. But if the symptoms do not go away, you may need medicine.

1. Medications

Medications useful for gastroenteritis are divided into 2 categories: over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications.

Over-the-counter medications

Sometimes the following over-the-counter medications may be used to control symptoms:
- Antidiarrheal medications: Loperamide is effective in stopping diarrhea. Medicines containing bismuth, such as bismuth subsalicylate, can also help.
- Pain relievers: Acetaminophen is useful for reducing fever and body aches. Unlike non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, this drug is considered a safer option for the stomach.
Prescription drugs

Stomach infections usually do not require prescription drugs. However, if the illness is serious and leads to severe diarrhea or bloody stools, your doctor may prescribe certain antimicrobial drugs to help treat it. These medications include:
- Antibiotics: If bacteria are involved in the digestive problems, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, or tetracycline can be best medicine for intestinal and stomach infection.
- Antibiotics Parasites: Metronidazole, Praziquantel and Albendazole destroy intestinal parasites in different ways.
- Antiviral drugs: Drugs are rarely used to treat viral gastroenteritis. An exception is the corona disease, in which the doctor uses antiviral drugs such as molnopiravir to treat vulnerable people.
2. Home remedies for stomach infection

If you experience symptoms of gastroenteritis, avoid eating solid foods for a few hours to reduce the likelihood of vomiting. To reduce nausea, you can chew fresh ginger or use ginger tea. In addition, it is recommended to:

Get enough sleep

When it comes to severe stomach ache treatment at home, the positive effects of sleep should not be neglected. Studies have shown that adequate and high-quality sleep supports the function of the immune system and reduces the duration of illness.

Don't prevent vomiting

Vomiting is one of the body's natural mechanisms to expel pathogens. As unpleasant as it is, if you feel the urge to vomit, don't try to hold it back. However, since this digestive problem can cause you to lose a lot of fluid, it's important to replace as much fluid as possible to avoid dehydration.
Keep your body hydrated

Loss of fluids due to vomiting or diarrhea leads to dehydration. If you don't replace fluids, you may experience the following problems and be hospitalized:
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Kidney failure
- Shock
The best option to keep your body hydrated is to drink plain water. But if vomiting and diarrhea are severe, it is necessary to use oral rehydration solution (ORS). If you cannot keep liquids in your stomach, it is better to sip water or suck on crushed ice. In addition to keeping the body hydrated, this also reduces nausea.

Herbal Treatment for Stomach Infection

There is no evidence that herbs can cure a GI infection faster than other home remedies. However, some herbs and spices may be helpful in controlling symptoms.

For example, a study in children found that ginger helped reduce vomiting. Another research also showed that using mint in the form of candy or inhaling the oil of this plant is associated with a reduction in nausea.

Other herbs useful for stomach infection include turmeric, cinnamon, and chamomile, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. However, the use of medicinal plants is not always safe. It is best to consult a online gastroenterologist before trying them.

Diet; What is good for a stomach infection?

When you have an infection, your appetite may decrease and this is completely normal. Because the stomach and intestines cannot digest or absorb many foods. In this situation, having a light and low-fat diet will be very helpful. The table below shows the list of foods and drinks that are beneficial and harmful for stomach infection:
Beneficial foodsBad foodsBananas
Toast
Potatoes
Caffeinated rice drinks
Artificial sweeteners
Dairy products
Red meat
Spicy foods
Nuts and Seeds
fatty foods
sweets
alcoholic beverages
Any digestive disease requires a special diet. If you want to know more about this topic, read the article What to eat to reduce stomach acid.
Light foods like rice and potatoes are the best choice to relieve nausea and diarrhea.
Stomach infection in children

In children, gastroenteritis is transmitted through consumption of contaminated food or water and leads to nausea, heartache, bloating and loss of appetite. If your child has this condition, make sure they get enough clear fluids or breast milk. Also, if you see serious symptoms such as persistent vomiting, bloody stool or severe pain, take him to the doctor immediately and never use anti-nausea or anti-diarrhea drugs arbitrarily.

Methods to prevent stomach infection

Gastroenteritis cannot always be prevented, but the following measures can reduce the risk of the disease and prevent its spread in the community:
- Wash your hands. Correctly: Washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds is one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases.
- Environmental hygiene: Careful cleaning is especially important in public places such as schools, kindergartens, nursing homes, and hospitals. Using disinfectants, you can destroy the microbes that remain on different surfaces.
- Paying attention to food hygiene: Food can be contaminated at any stage of production or preparation. Therefore, it is necessary to observe the hygiene principles when storing, cooking and serving it and wash your hands before and after handling the food.
- Safe travel: Traveling to some countries can increase the risk of infectious diseases. Therefore, it is recommended to always use cooked, skinless and packaged foods.
Finally

If you have a stomach infection, take care of yourself. Sudden symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting may be scary, but they indicate the body is trying to fight the disease. These infections often clear up on their own, but in some cases they may require medication.

See a doctor if you have a weakened immune system or if you've been sick for more than three days. For this, you can consult the doctors of darmankade This consultation will help you get the most appropriate treatment plan and prevent the disease from progressing.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first symptom of a stomach infection?
Symptoms of this disease often appear suddenly and include digestive problems such as diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. After that, general symptoms such as fever and body aches may also occur.
Is it necessary to take antibiotics to treat a stomach infection?
Antibiotics are only used when a bacterial infection leads to very high fever, severe diarrhea or other serious symptoms.
Is milk good for a stomach infection?
It is better not to drink milk when you have this disease. Because it becomes difficult for the body to digest lactose (milk sugar).

Sources: verywellhealth | my.clevelandclinic
Top Doctors: Dr. Ali Asghar Etemadi Fard | Doctor Alireza Rezaei
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