You did everything to dodge it, but there you go, the first signs are there! Loss of appetite, vomiting, acute diarrhea… When this virus affects us, eating properly becomes complicated. Gastroenteritis puts our body to the test. To recover energy, certain foods are to be preferred. Here's everything you need to know to overcome this winter disease.
It's official, you have gastroenteritis!
Gastroenteritis (gastro for short) is an inflammation of the digestive system. This disease - unglamorous, we grant you - is recognizable by these unpleasant symptoms such as:
These symptoms often disappear after 1 to 3 days. In some cases, they persist for a week.
The causes of gastro are multiple. The disease can be of bacterial, viral or parasitic origin. Rotavirus and adenovirus are two viruses responsible for viral gastroenteritis. Certain bacteria like E. coli, salmonella or Shighella can also cause gastro. These cases are frequent in countries where hygiene standards are less strict. This type of gastro is also known as the " tourista ". Intestinal inflammation may also be due to a parasite.
How to escape it?
To avoid being contaminated by gastroenteritis, a few preventive actions can be effective:wash your hands regularly - if not, use a hydroalcoholic gel -, limit the risk of contamination by avoiding contact with contaminated people and places very popular during an epidemic. Disinfect toys shared by children. And ventilate your home.
Contaminated by gastro? Watch out for dehydration!
In case of gastro, the most important risk is to dehydrate you. Indeed, with diarrhea, fever and vomiting, your body loses a lot of water. Dehydration can be dangerous for your health if it is not taken care of in time. Infants and the elderly are the most prone to it, so you have to be very careful. Here are some signs that indicate dehydration:
If these symptoms appear, medical advice is required. Consult your doctor or opt for the Mieux-Être teleconsultation service, which gives you access to a private doctor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, wherever you are. Your teleconsultation can be done by chat, video or audio call.
Eat to get back on your feet
To regain strength during gastro and avoid dehydration, a suitable diet is strongly recommended. Here are some tips on foods to eat or avoid:
During the days following the gastro, avoid overeating. Gradually resume your usual diet once all symptoms have subsided.
Gastroenteritis is one of the minor hazards that accompany winter. In France, an estimated 21 million people are affected each year by this disease. To limit the risk of falling victim to this epidemic, take the right steps during contamination peaks.
