What medications should be taken for gastrointestinal flu?
Disease description:
I've been feeling nauseous and anxious since this morning, and I've also had diarrhea. I think I might have a mild case of gastrointestinal flu, but it's not very severe. I'd like to ask what medications are generally recommended for gastrointestinal flu?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Gastrointestinal flu, also known as gastroenteric influenza, here are some commonly used medications for treatment:
1. Symptomatic treatment: For mild to moderate gastroenteritis, the priority is to replenish fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. Oral rehydration salt solutions can be used to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. In addition, antiemetic drugs such as domperidone and antidiarrheal medications like loperamide may help alleviate symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, but should be used under a doctor's guidance, especially in children and pregnant women.
2. Antiviral and antibiotic treatment: If gastroenteritis is caused by a bacterial infection, doctors may prescribe appropriate antibiotics. However, most cases of gastroenteritis are caused by viral infections, which are not responsive to antibiotics, so antibiotics are generally unnecessary. Antiviral medications may be used in certain cases for specific viral infections, but this requires evaluation and judgment by a qualified physician based on the specific clinical condition.
3. Supportive treatment: In addition to medication, rest and maintaining good nutrition are also important. During recovery, it is recommended to eat easily digestible foods such as rice porridge, bananas, toasted bread, and boiled potatoes, while avoiding oily, spicy, and hard-to-digest foods.
