Can the flu vaccine prevent stomach issues mistaken for the flu? Facts about flu shots revealed.
Stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis, is a common illness that affects the digestive system. It can be caused by several viruses, including rotavirus, astrovirus, norovirus, and adenovirus.
To prevent the spread of stomach flu, it is essential to adopt good hygiene practices. This includes washing hands frequently, avoiding touching the face and mouth, disinfecting shared utilities, and washing clothes or linens that may have come into contact with vomit or stool from a person experiencing stomach flu.
In the U.S., there are two types of rotavirus vaccines available that can help protect infants and young children from developing stomach flu. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) suggests that an infant should receive the first dose of rotavirus vaccination within their first month of life for maximum efficacy.
Severe dehydration and bloody diarrhea are common complications of stomach flu. Drinking sports drinks, broth, water, and fruit juices can help prevent dehydration. In some cases, individuals may need to drink rehydration solutions. People experiencing severe dehydration or diarrhea should visit a healthcare professional for further treatment.
Stomach flu can be transmitted through contact with an infected person or contaminated food/water. It does not require medical treatment and can be managed at home with rest and hydration. However, anyone experiencing stomach flu symptoms should consider speaking with a doctor if their symptoms worsen or do not go away with rest and hydration.
The flu shot is designed to prevent infections with influenza viruses. Influenza viruses cause respiratory flu, not stomach flu or viral gastroenteritis. The types of influenza viruses change every season, so flu shots change with every flu season. Mild side effects of the flu vaccine may include soreness, swelling, and redness around the injection site, fever, muscle aches, headaches, and a runny or congested nose.
While currently, there are no widely approved vaccines for non-rotavirus gastroenteritis viruses like norovirus, experimental vaccines are being developed using virus-like particles (VLPs), viral vectors, or mRNA technology to induce immunity specifically against these viruses. For example, norovirus, a leading cause of viral gastroenteritis aside from rotavirus, has seen multiple vaccine candidates in clinical trials.
In contrast, rotavirus vaccines (RV5/RotaTeq and RV1/Rotarix) work by oral administration of attenuated or inactivated virus strains early in infancy to build immunity that prevents severe rotavirus gastroenteritis. These vaccines have proven effectiveness up to about 74% in preventing infection and over 96% in preventing serious illness.
People should seek immediate medical attention if they experience any signs of dehydration or any severe or worsening symptoms. While there are no vaccines available to prevent all types of stomach flu, it is crucial to maintain good hygiene practices to reduce the risk of transmission. Keep a close eye on your symptoms and consult a healthcare professional if necessary.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Norovirus. https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html [3] World Health Organization. (2021). Norovirus Vaccines. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/norovirus-vaccines [5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Rotavirus Vaccines. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rotavirus/index.html
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