Recovering from stomach flu: what to know

Stomach flu is a common name for gastroenteritis, an irritation of the stomach and bowel that can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps and sometimes fever. Symptoms may improve at different speeds: vomiting often settles before appetite and bowel habits return to normal. Tiredness can linger because illness and fluid loss reduce your energy. A temporary reduction in appetite is expected, but you should still be able to take small amounts of fluid.

The main recovery concern is dehydration. Dry mouth, darker urine, passing urine less often, dizziness or unusual weakness can signal that your body needs more fluid or medical assessment. Children, older adults and people with ongoing health conditions can become dehydrated more quickly.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. If vomiting returns, pause briefly and restart with smaller sips. When you feel able to eat, choose modest portions of simple foods such as soup, rice, toast, bananas or potatoes; gradually return to your usual meals as your appetite recovers. Rest, wash your hands carefully with soap and water, and avoid preparing food for other people while you may still be infectious.

Avoid alcohol and foods that clearly worsen nausea or diarrhoea. Do not give children or take medicines for vomiting or diarrhoea without checking with a clinician or pharmacist, especially if there is fever, blood in the stool, pregnancy, or another medical condition.

Seek urgent medical help if you cannot keep fluids down, feel faint or confused, have severe or worsening abdominal pain, vomit blood, pass blood or black stools, or have breathing difficulty. Arrange prompt medical advice for signs of dehydration, persistent fever, repeated vomiting, or diarrhoea that is not easing. Babies, older adults, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system may need advice earlier.

A clinician can assess hydration, examine your abdomen and decide whether testing or treatment is needed. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe if the person is unusually sleepy, difficult to wake, or passing very little urine.

Ask: Could another infection or medicine be causing these symptoms? How much fluid should I take, and is an oral rehydration drink suitable? When can I return to work, school, exercise or food preparation? Which warning signs should prompt urgent care for my age and health conditions?