Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea or Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and/or intestines. This inflammation is usually caused by viruses, but can be caused by contaminated food, medications, or exposure to unfamiliar bacteria during travel.
Self-Care Options for Symptoms:
Treat symptoms thru diet changes. Here are some guidelines:
Avoid eating or drinking while vomiting and during the initial two-three hours after vomiting has stopped. You can try sucking on hard candy or small amounts of ice chips or popsicles if you feel thirsty.
Continue to avoid solid foods for the first 24 hours; however, after vomiting has stopped for at least 2-3 hours start sipping clear liquids to avoid dehydration. You will feel thirsty but only sip for the next 2-3 hours. Once you have gone 6 hours without vomiting you can increase the amount of clear liquids you drink as tolerated (still don’t gulp). Drink water and other clear liquids that have calories (i.e. flat ginger ale, sprite or cola, broth, Jell-O, Gatorade®, weak tea with sugar, apple juice OK if no diarrhea). Avoid orange juice or other non-clear juices, creamed soups, alcohol, milk and other dairy.
SECOND DAY:
Add easily digested carbohydrate foods such as:
If you are feeling better and have NO vomiting or diarrhea, you can add bland solid foods including:
Avoid foods that are greasy, high acid (citrus/tomatoes), high fiber, spicy or dairy except yogurt until day four.
If you are feeling back to normal you can add other foods as tolerated.
Call University Health Center (434)395-2102 or Urgent Care/Emergency Department if UHC is Closed:
Seek IMMEDIATE Health Care at University Health Center or Urgent Care/Emergency Department: