Stomach Flu (Gastroenteritis) Treatment Clinic in Fairfax, VA

At Prima Urgent Care, we recognize that dealing with the stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, can be both distressing and disruptive. Our expert team is here to provide you with the care and guidance needed to manage this common condition.

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, often caused by viruses, though bacteria and parasites can also be culprits. Despite its misleading name, it is not linked to influenza, a respiratory illness. This condition is highly contagious and can spread rapidly, especially in close environments.

If you experience symptoms such as:

• Sudden nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Fatigue, headache, or low-grade fever
• Loss of appetite

Our team can provide you with the necessary interventions to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.

It can spread through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, consuming contaminated food or water, or touching virus-contaminated surfaces and then touching your face. Our healthcare providers emphasize the importance of hygiene and safe practices to minimize the risk of infection.

While there is no specific cure for the stomach flu, it provides targeted care to manage symptoms and support recovery. This includes hydration therapy with oral rehydration solutions to combat dehydration, symptom management with medications tailored to control nausea and diarrhea, and antibiotics when a bacterial infection is confirmed, ensuring personalized treatment based on age and health conditions.

To help prevent gastroenteritis, we recommend regular handwashing with soap and water, practicing safe food handling and consumption, staying up-to-date with vaccinations such as the rotavirus vaccine for young children, and cleaning potentially contaminated surfaces.

While most cases resolve on their own, complications such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can occur, particularly in vulnerable populations. Prima Urgent Care is equipped to address these concerns, ensuring prompt and effective treatment to prevent serious outcomes.

The stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is commonly caused by viral infections, although it can also be triggered by bacteria, parasites, or toxins. The most common viruses responsible for gastroenteritis include norovirus and rotavirus.

Norovirus is highly contagious and often spreads through contaminated food, water, or surfaces. It can also be passed from person to person, especially in crowded environments like schools, nursing homes, and cruise ships. Symptoms of norovirus infection usually appear suddenly and include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and sometimes fever.

Rotavirus, on the other hand, primarily affects young children and can lead to severe dehydration. Although vaccines are available to protect against rotavirus, outbreaks can still occur in areas with low vaccination rates. The infection is usually spread through fecal-oral transmission, which means that it can be contracted by consuming contaminated food or water, or by touching surfaces that have the virus.

Bacterial causes of stomach flu include Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. These infections are often associated with improperly cooked or contaminated food, particularly meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy. In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, bacterial infections can cause more severe symptoms such as high fever and bloody stools.

Parasites such as Giardia can also lead to gastroenteritis, often transmitted through contaminated water sources. Lastly, ingesting food contaminated with toxins produced by bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus, can cause food poisoning, another form of stomach flu.

Preventing stomach flu involves practicing good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, and avoiding the consumption of contaminated food or water.

At our practice, we understand how disruptive and uncomfortable the stomach flu can be. This contagious illness targets the digestive system and typically shows symptoms within 12-48 hours of exposure. Our team can help you manage these symptoms with our care and support.

Common Symptoms We Treat:

• Nausea and Vomiting: These symptoms can cause dehydration if fluids aren’t replaced. Our medical team can offer hydration advice or administer intravenous fluids if needed.

• Diarrhea: Frequent, loose, or bloody stools can lead to fluid loss. Our healthcare professionals monitor and manage these symptoms to prevent complications.

• Abdominal Pain and Cramping: Ranging from mild to severe, this can be one of the more uncomfortable symptoms.

• Fever and Chills: Often low-grade, these symptoms can add to feelings of weakness. We can help manage fever and monitor your overall health to prevent further complications.

• Headache and Muscle Aches: These add to the overall sense of illness, and our team can provide treatments to help relieve these symptoms.

• Fatigue and Weakness: These can make everyday activities more challenging, and our focus is on supporting your recovery through effective care strategies.

It is crucial to see a healthcare professional if symptoms intensify or last more than a few days, or if you exhibit severe symptoms of dehydration. Our goal is to help you heal quickly and securely by offering timely, kind, and efficient care.

Patients are typically contagious from the onset of symptoms and can remain so for 1-3 days after symptoms resolve. However, norovirus may lead to extended contagiousness of up to two weeks. We educate patients on maintaining hygiene and provide guidelines on how long to avoid contact with others to prevent the spread of the infection.

Bacterial gastroenteritis patients can remain contagious as long as bacteria are present in their stools, which can last from days to weeks. Our team emphasizes the importance of hand hygiene and provides specific advice on reducing transmission risks to protect both the patient and the community.

Parasitic gastroenteritis is commonly caused by parasites like Giardia. Without treatment, individuals may remain contagious for weeks, but timely intervention can reduce this period. Our healthcare professionals provide effective treatment plans and follow-up care to ensure quick recovery and minimize the risk of transmission.

Our staff provides isolation guidelines to prevent transmission, advising patients to stay isolated during peak contagious periods.

Understanding the contagious nature of gastroenteritis is essential for effective care and prevention, helping to protect both individual and public health. Beyond treatment, a focus on education and preventive measures plays a vital role in minimizing the spread of infections. If you’re experiencing symptoms of stomach flu, contact us or schedule an appointment today for prompt and compassionate care. We are conveniently located at 3903 Fair Ridge Dr Suite Q, Fairfax, VA 22033. We serve patients from Fairfax VA, South Riding VA, Dulles VA, Chantilly VA, Stone Ridge VA, Oakton VA, Legato VA, Burke VA, Oak Hill VA, Lees Corner VA and Beyond. Our Fairfax location is close to Fair Oaks Hospital, Fair Oaks Mall, and Greenbriar Shopping Center.