Can you get gastroenteritis twice

See more conditions. Request Appointment. Stomach flu: How long am I contagious? Products and services. How long am I contagious if I have the stomach flu? Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Norovirus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Accessed Feb. Matson DO. Acute viral gastroenteritis in children in resource-rich countries: Management and prevention. Occasionally, your GP will send a sample of your poo to a laboratory for testing. If you have gastroenteritis, you can pass the infection on to other people. If your child has the infection, they should stay off nursery or school for this length of time too. If you take medicines regularly, you should keep taking them as usual if you have diarrhoea or sickness.

But check the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicines. Gastroenteritis can affect how well some medicines work, especially the contraceptive pill. If you need any advice, speak to a pharmacist. How quickly you get better will depend on which infection you have.

Some viral gastroenteritis infections last only a day or two, but other infections can last for a week or even longer. If you have diarrhoea and sickness your body will be losing more fluid than usual.

You need to make sure you replace this by keeping hydrated , drinking plenty of fluids, such as water or squash. If your baby has gastroenteritis, keep breastfeeding them or give their other milk feeds.

When you feel hungry again, eat small, light meals, but don't have anything fatty or spicy. Some research shows that eating cereals, banana, rice and toast at first may help.

They may help to reduce how long you have diarrhoea. See our FAQ on Can probiotics help gastroenteritis. Oral rehydration solutions come as a powder that you add to water to make a drink. Oral rehydration solutions have the right mix of sugars, minerals and salts to help you replace lost water and salt.

Most people with gastroenteritis get better without needing one of these solutions. But these products may be helpful for:. You can buy loperamide from pharmacies, but this should only be taken by adults and children over 12 years, unless prescribed by a doctor. If this shows you have bacterial gastroenteritis, they may then prescribe antibiotics. If you become very dehydrated or unwell, you may need to be admitted to hospital.

In hospital, you can be given fluids directly into your bloodstream through a fine tube into your vein. If diarrhoea or sickness is very bad, this can cause dehydration, especially in children. Sickness and diarrhoea can also make the salts and minerals in your body get out of balance.

Being very dehydrated can be dangerous. Most people with gastroenteritis get better at home without seeing a doctor. But contact your GP if you:. Skip to main content. Home Current Page. What is gastroenteritis? What is norovirus? How serious is norovirus disease? How is norovirus spread? People can become infected with the virus in several ways, including: Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, Touching an object, such as a door knob or keyboard, which is contaminated with norovirus, then placing a hand to mouth, Having direct contact with another person who is infected and shows symptoms, for example, sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill.

Because the amount of virus that can cause illness is so small, it is important to reduce the risk of spreading this virus by using appropriate cleaning measures: Using a 1-to chlorine bleach solution on hard surfaces, especially kitchens and bathrooms, Steam cleaning carpet or upholstery that has been contaminated by feces or vomit from an ill person, Not transporting soiled linens, bed clothing or other garments through a food preparation area unless they are bagged.

How contagious is norovirus? Can I get infected with norovirus more than once? What steps can I take to reduce my risk? When should I seek help? Wash your hands carefully with soap and water Especially after using the toilet and changing diapers, and always before eating, preparing, or handling food. Norovirus can be found in your vomit or stool even before you start feeling sick. The virus can stay in your stool for 2 weeks or more after you feel better.

It is important to continue washing your hands often during this time. A number of viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including noroviruses and rotaviruses. Can I get infected with norovirus more than once? A person can be infected with norovirus more than once. Although there is a short period of time likely a few months immediately following infection with Norovirus that a person is protected from reinfection, it is only a temporary protection.

Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may persist as long as 10 days. Your doctor may prescribe an antiemetic such as promethazine, prochlorperazine, metoclopramide, or ondansetron to stop the nausea and vomiting. You can also try an over-the-counter antidiarrheal medication, such as loperamide hydrochloride Imodium or bismuth subsalicylate Pepto-Bismol. If they struggling with stomach flu, there are also the added symptoms of nausea and vomiting.

Anyone worried about getting sick during the night should sleep at an incline and on their side. This will reduce their chances of choking. Hot showers stimulate blood flow to the rest of your body, and deliver benefits that can lessen cold and flu symptoms quickly. A bout of food poisoning or a stomach bug may cause you to throw up and have fever or sweats. Other viruses like mono or hepatitis can leave you feeling this way as well.