When stomach flu lasts a week

Gastroenteritis can leave the digestive tract unsettled after the initial infection, but ongoing symptoms may also reflect a different infection, food-related illness, medication effect or another condition. Continuing diarrhoea can cause fluid and salt loss even when vomiting has stopped. Note whether stools are becoming less frequent, whether you can eat and drink, and whether abdominal pain is general or focused in one area.

Keep sipping fluids and consider an oral rehydration solution if losses continue. Choose simple meals that you tolerate and avoid alcohol. Record symptom changes, fever, medicines, recent antibiotics, travel, unusual foods and sick contacts. Wash hands thoroughly and clean shared bathroom surfaces to reduce transmission.

Seek urgent care for blood in stool or vomit, severe or worsening abdominal pain, fainting, confusion, very little urine, repeated vomiting, or marked weakness. Prompt review is also sensible for a child, older adult, pregnant person, or someone with a condition that affects immunity or fluid balance.

Tell your clinician the exact start date, stool frequency and appearance, vomiting pattern, fluid intake and urine changes. Ask whether a stool test, blood test, medication review, or treatment for dehydration is appropriate.