6 remedies for the stomach flu

Is stomach flu going around in your school or office? When this illness hits, it causes everything from nausea to diarrhea—and if you’re not careful your entire household could easily be infected.   

“Another name for stomach flu is viral gastroenteritis,” says Ali A. Khan, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Fairfax, Virginia. “It can happen sometimes in conjunction with other viral symptoms, like an upper respiratory infection, or it can just be GI symptoms alone.” Most often, you can thank a virus known as norovirus for the bug. In fact, norovirus is responsible for upward of 21 million cases of stomach flu a year.

Food poisoning is also a form of gastroenteritis, “caused most commonly by bacteria, but it can be caused by viruses such as norovirus too,” explains Dr. Khan. Either way, the symptoms—like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea—are often identical. The most common remedies, like getting plenty of fluids and rest, are also very similar among the different causes, he says.   

6 remedies for the stomach flu

The stomach flu will usually get better within just three days. Still, when you are in the throes of it, there are some things you can do to help feel better and boost your immune system.

1. Stay hydrated

“In terms of remedies for the stomach flu, the best thing to do is absolutely to stay hydrated,” says Dr. Khan. Not only can dehydration worsen symptoms, but it can cause issues in and of itself, like a fast heartbeat or lightheadedness, he explains.

The gold standard for hydration is water. You can also turn to other liquids to help replenish electrolytes, like sports drinks, Pedialyte, juices, or broths, says Dr. Khan.  

Jon Simon, MD, a board-certified internist and pediatrician with Mercy Personal Physicians at Hunt Valley in Baltimore, Maryland, also recommends an oral rehydration solution—a mixture of water, salt, potassium, sugar, and bicarbonate—which you can buy or make at home. “That increases the chances that you’ll absorb enough water and not get dehydrated,” he notes.

Popsicles or Italian ice are another way to get fluids in, especially for kids. “Italian ice is really good,” Dr. Simon says. “That’s a nice way to get tiny amounts of water very frequently.”  

To that end, when drinking, “it’s key to use small amounts very frequently as opposed to guzzling large amounts at a time,” he advises. And to ensure you’re getting enough fluids, the goal should be to see clear urine when using the bathroom, says Dr. Khan.

Not all fluids are created equal, though. You want to steer clear of: 

• Alcohol: This can worsen dehydration.
• Caffeine: “I would avoid caffeine because that is actually a diuretic and it can also interfere with sleep,” Dr. Khan says.
• Dairy products: This includes milk, milkshakes, and creamers, as these can cause GI distress and upset.  
• Flat soda: “I would not recommend flat soda as it would not provide adequate fluid or electrolyte replacement,” says Dr. Khan.

2. Stick to a more bland diet

Keeping your diet on the bland side is one way to get some nutrition without upsetting your stomach further.

As Dr. Khan explains, “With the stomach flu, people don’t have much of an appetite and it’s easy to lay in bed and not eat and that makes people weaker and feel worse. So trying to get something simple in their diet is better.”

Saltine crackers, boiled vegetables, and boiled starches—like potatoes, rice, and oats can be a good choice. Sticking to smaller meals throughout the day can be helpful, too. 

And while you can go for the easy-to-digest foods on the oft-cited BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—especially if they’re already part of your routine, sticking solely to these choices can be restrictive, particularly for children, note experts. 

There are a few eats you want to keep off your plate when you have the stomach flu, including spicy, fried, and fatty foods, says Dr. Khan. Along with dairy drinks, it’s also a good idea to limit the dairy food group in general. “It’s not that it causes the problem, but it can prolong the illness a little bit,” Dr. Simon says. 

3. Get your rest

If there was ever a time you could focus on your next TV binge, it’s when you are sick. Getting plenty of rest is very important when you’re trying to recover from the stomach flu, says Dr. Khan.

Most people are going to be somewhat fatigued, notes Dr. Simon, and they should rest as much as they need to. As always, it’s important to listen to your body. “If your body says you need a nap, then you need a nap,” he says.

4. Use ginger

“Ginger can help with nausea,” says Dr. Khan. Research has shown that it can be useful in dealing with nausea and vomiting, especially if you’re pregnant. In one study of kids with viral gastroenteritis, for instance, ginger helped lessen vomiting, as compared to a placebo.

Consider adding ginger to your tea or soups, recommends Dr. Khan. “Broth and soups are great ways to replete fluid and electrolytes,” he says.“Ginger ale can be tried, however, keep in mind that the carbonation may cause further bloating and discomfort, thus potentially worsening GI symptoms.”

5. Try peppermint

Another helpful item is peppermint—whether you go for peppermint tea or suck on a mint-flavored candy. “Peppermint is another remedy that can be used for nausea and GI discomfort,” Dr. Khan says. But don’t go overboard: “Too much of this, however, can trigger or worsen reflux,” he advises.

6. Wash your hands—often

“Another important part of stomach flu management is to make sure you practice good hand hygiene,” says Dr. Khan—this is key since, as anyone who has dealt with a home full of people with the stomach flu can attest, it can be quite contagious. 

It’s smart to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer often—especially after using the bathroom and before eating or preparing foods—as well as to use a separate bathroom from the infected person in your home if possible, says Dr. Khan.  

Stomach flu remedies that don’t work

As it turns out, some remedies won’t do much to help with the stomach flu. “Some people, when they have these symptoms, they’re looking for a medicine, like a prescription, but honestly, supportive care is really the best form of management for it,” Dr. Khan says. Here is what won’t work for the stomach flu. 

• Antibiotics: Topping the list of things that won’t help with viral gastroenteritis are antibiotics. That’s because “antibiotics are actually geared toward bacteria, whereas the stomach flu is actually a virus,” Dr. Khan says. If you do have bacterial gastroenteritis  from food poisoning, for instance, antibiotics might be used, but it’s still not always the case. 
• Certain over-the-counter medications: As Dr. Simon explains, “I usually tell people to avoid taking Imodium if you have diarrhea because, while it can give you temporary relief—if you have to take a long car trip or something like that—it sometimes can prolong the illness.” This happens because the medication slows down the intestines, meaning the infectious source of the illness stays in your system a bit longer. If you do decide to use Imodium (loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate), be sure you don’t have a fever or blood in your stool. “If those two symptoms are present, I wouldn’t use those medications without approval from a healthcare provider,” Dr. Khan says. 
• Probiotic supplements: “Some people may hear that having a probiotic is good during these times, but the research—the data behind that—doesn’t fully show the benefit of that,” Dr. Khan says. “I think there’s more research that needs to be done.” And in particular, the American Gastroenterological Association doesn’t recommend probiotic supplements for children with the stomach flu.   

How to treat the stomach flu when natural remedies don’t work

Natural remedies are really key, but there are some options you can turn to—or ask your provider about—if you’re having a tough time.

“It’s all about symptom control with the stomach flu,” Dr. Khan says. “For example, if the vomiting is really bothersome and is going on for an extended period of time, you could always ask your healthcare provider for an anti-nausea medication, like Zofran (ondansetron).” He does caution against taking this type of medication for a long time, though, since it can have some potential side effects, like abnormalities in the heart rhythm.

Over-the-counter options like Tylenol, or NSAIDs like Motrin or Advil are okay in small doses, says Dr. Khan. “This can help alleviate fever and muscle aches that can accompany the stomach flu,” he explains. (Dr. Simon does note that Motrin and Advil can be irritating to the stomach, so be mindful when taking them and consider talking to your provider first.) 

“There’s not a whole lot that we can offer for stomach flu because it’s a virus that has to run its course. Usually, symptoms are pretty mild, but again for moderate or severe symptoms, I think it’s best that patients have a tailored approach with their healthcare provider,” says Dr. Khan.

When to see a doctor for stomach flu symptoms

Speaking of talking to your healthcare provider, there are some signs and symptoms to watch for that should prompt you to seek medical attention ASAP. This includes “blood in the stool, blood in the vomit, fevers over 102 degrees Fahrenheit—especially if that’s going on for over 24 hours—severe abdominal pain and any signs of dehydration, like having a fast heart rate over 100 beats per minute,” advises Dr. Khan. You also want to keep an eye out for signs of severe dehydration, like feeling lightheaded, having dark-colored urine, or if you aren’t able to keep anything down by mouth, he says.

Also be mindful of how often you—or your child—are using the bathroom to urinate, to look for signs of dehydration. “For babies, they wouldn’t be wetting diapers. For adults, they should at least be urinating a couple of times a day and if not, that might signal more severe dehydration,” says Dr. Simon. And, in general, if you’re pregnant, he recommends calling your provider right away to let them know what’s going on.