Using Intravenous Fluids for Stomach Virus: Their Potential Benefits and Administration Guidelines
Managing Severe Dehydration from Gastroenteritis: A Guide
Gastroenteritis, commonly known as a stomach virus, can lead to severe dehydration, a potentially life-threatening complication. Early recognition of symptoms and prompt rehydration are crucial in managing this condition.
Recognising the Symptoms
Symptoms of dehydration due to gastroenteritis include dry mouth and skin, excessive thirst, dizziness or lightheadedness, low or no urine output, dark yellow urine, confusion, weakness, fatigue, difficulty waking up, and in infants, fewer than six wet diapers in 24 hours, no tears when crying, sunken soft spot on the head, unusual drowsiness or fussiness, and dry mouth.
First-Line Treatment: Oral Rehydration Therapy
For most cases, oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is the first-line treatment. This involves sipping small amounts of oral rehydration solutions containing water, salts, and sugars to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Avoid sugary, caffeinated, or alcoholic beverages. As the patient regains strength, progressing to bland foods helps maintain hydration and nutrition.
Home Management vs Medical Intervention
Mild cases can be managed at home by sipping fluids frequently and gradually progressing to bland foods. However, severe dehydration—characterised by confusion, fainting, inability to keep fluids down, or worsening symptoms—requires urgent medical care. Intravenous (IV) fluids may be necessary to rapidly restore hydration.
Medical Interventions
In a hospital setting, a doctor may administer IV fluids to manage severe dehydration. While IV therapy does not cure a stomach virus, it can help manage symptoms and address dehydration. In some cases, a doctor may administer antinausea or diarrhea medication directly to a person's bloodstream.
Prevention and Supportive Care
Prevention includes maintaining good hygiene and clean water intake to reduce the risk of gastroenteritis. Supportive care includes rest and maintaining electrolyte balance.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If you notice signs of dehydration in yourself or your children, or if the symptoms of a stomach virus last longer than a few days, consult a doctor. Parents and caregivers should talk with a pediatrician before giving any over-the-counter medications to children.
Treatment for a Stomach Virus
Treatment for a stomach virus is limited, and the main part of treatment is keeping fluids up by drinking juice, sports drinks, or other noncaffeinated liquids. Adults may use over-the-counter medications like loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate to help with their symptoms while the virus runs its course.
Remember, it's essential to drink fluids, even when receiving an IV drip, if possible. Doctors typically recommend oral fluid management as the first line of defense against dehydration during a stomach virus.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Gastroenteritis (stomach flu): Symptoms and causes. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroenteritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350727
[2] NHS. (2021). Gastroenteritis. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gastroenteritis/
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Gastroenteritis (stomach flu). [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nczved/locations/virginia/norfolk/norfolk-health-department/gastroenteritis.html
[4] KidsHealth. (2021). Dehydration. [online] Available at: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dehydration.html
- Mental health therapies and treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be beneficial for managing stress and anxiety related to severe dehydration caused by gastroenteritis.
- A balanced diet rich in necessary nutrients is crucial for ensuring optimal health-and-wellness and aiding the recovery process for patients experiencing dehydration due to gastroenteritis.
- In the realm of fitness-and-exercise, it's important for individuals to stay physically active and maintain a healthy body weight to minimize the risk of severe dehydration or developing underlying conditions that make it harder to manage dehydration.
- To alleviate symptoms of dehydration in certain patients and potentially reduce the risk of complications from Medicare-associated ailments, doctors may recommend the use of CBD Oil as an alternative treatment for managing nausea, pain, and inflammation caused by gastroenteritis.
