Pregnancy is a very challenging period for a woman, your body is going through a lot of changes and you have to take extra care of yourself. The simple things you wouldn’t care about normally can turn to be extremely dangerous.
If you think when you are immune to stomach flu or bugs during pregnancy, YOU ARE NOT. It is very sad to break this out to you but during pregnancy, your immune system is the weakest, you should look out for these stomach viruses or stomach bugs during pregnancy.
Stomach Bugs During Pregnancy
Stomach flu during pregnancy is not quite like your usual flu; it is also known as gastroenteritis, which is a kind of stomach bug, that is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. It can cause inflammation or a burning feeling in the gastrointestinal tract or other words, your stomach and small intestine. The viruses or bacteria that can be blamed for this are noroviruses, rotavirus, salmonella, and E. coli.
These stomach bugs can enter your body like any other virus or bacteria does, for example being around a contaminated person or touching a surface that is contaminated. These enter your body through your nose and/or mouth and affect your stomach’s lining resulting in diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Stomach Bugs During PregnancyWhile these symptoms settle down in 1 or 2 days but if they continue you should not waste time and consult your doctor.
Causes of Stomach Bugs
There can be several reasons that can be the causes of stomach bugs but some of the ones listed below are the frequent reasons for them
1. Through an infected person
This is one of the most common ways for you to get infected by one such stomach bug. If you are in close contact with an infected person. These viruses or bacteria can travel to your body when you touch a contaminated surface or if you are in close contact with the infected person. They can also travel through the air or settle on a surface.
So, it is important for you if you are pregnant to be very careful about the people around you, avoid crowded places and touching things when you are out.
2. Through contaminated food and water
You can catch a stomach bug if you have eaten or drank contaminated food. It is very important to watch what you eat when you are pregnant, you should be extra careful. Try to eat homemade food as much as you can and also try to eat it fresh and hot.
3. Dehydration
During pregnancy, water loss could be a big problem. You should be careful about how much water you consume. Not consuming enough water can lead to dehydration which can further cause stomach flu-like symptoms like diarrhoea or nausea. You should also pay attention to the quality of your water as consuming contaminated water results in stomach bugs. Along with this use a clean and properly sanitized washroom when you are pregnant as you can get an infection otherwise.
4. Eating half-cooked food
While normally you would not feel a thing when you accidentally ate half-cooked or raw food but during pregnancy, this could be something serious that can cause stomach flu.
Symptoms of Stomach Bugs
If you doubt you got infected with a stomach bug you should look out for these signs or symptoms and immediately seek proper treatment
Symptoms like:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Cramps or frequent pains
- Body ache
- Soreness
- Frequent chills
- Fever
These are just a few symptoms that you are likely to experience when you have the stomach flu. These symptoms may be apparent for a maximum 48 hours but if they persist you could be having a serious problem like a bacterial infection or food poisoning.
Treatment for Stomach Flu
If you have been diagnosed with the stomach flu you can treat it in the following ways
1. Fluids
Consuming a lot of fluids when you have the flu could be very helpful. If the reason behind your uneasiness is dehydration this should be your first step. It is not necessary to only drink water you can also take other fluids such as tea, juice or a similar herbal drink that your doctor has approved for you, should be good for your consumption.
2. Ginger
This could be a very useful home remedy for stomach flu, as ginger has an anti-inflammatory property that can calm the burning sensations or any other discomfort that you feel. You can also prepare a ginger ale that you can consume before going to bed, this will not just help with the symptoms but also help you to sleep peacefully through the night.
3. Take proper rest
This is the best thing you can do during the flu, take enough rest for your body needs it the most. You can keep a warm drink for yourself and just take it easy. This is not just good for your body but also for your baby.
4. Eat light
You usually wouldn’t feel like eating when you have stomach flu but if you feel like eating you should eat light and avoid spicy foods. You can eat fruits, salad or even soup. These will help with the fatigue and also provide the energy that you need.
5. Ask your doctor first
If you think about taking medications for your symptoms such as anti-diarrheal you should always ask your doctor first. They may not be good for you.
If you are worried about your baby getting affected with these viruses then you should not stress about that, they are well protected in the shield called your womb. However, you should look out for any extra symptoms or about these symptoms persisting for long.
If you think that you are facing these issues frequently there might be a chance of a serious problem. Stomach flu during pregnancy can come and go just like that but taking proper precautions is in your hands, so try to maintain your distance at public places, wash your hands frequently and watch what you eat.
Maintain hygiene and keep stomach bugs at bay!
Also Read; Best Foods To Relieve An Upset Stomach
