Local Urgent Care Provider's Tips for Summer Stomach Bugs

Kicking off the summer at home with friends and family can be the best! Warmer days, golden evenings, and kids home from school getting excited for the months of fun ahead. Looking forward to months of time spent in the sun and all those summer BBQ treats. Who doesn’t love a hot dog off the grill, or your aunt's famous potato salad? There is one thing that can sidetrack all that fun and land you or your loved ones in hot water – the dreaded stomach bug.

Stomach illness, or gastroenteritis, can be caused by viruses; however, in the warmer months, we also see a spike in food-related illness. That amazing potato salad is not so amazing after it's been sitting in the sun for a bit too long. Or the grilled options that weren’t cooled well enough in the cooler can make for a bad time waiting to happen! Bacteria that cause these illnesses grow more easily in warmer weather and, when eaten, can cause a range of symptoms of varying severity.

So, what can you do to get back to the fun sooner if this happens to you or your kiddos? With symptoms like abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting, it’s important to prioritize aggressive hydration. Making sure you replace any fluids lost by taking in liquids and hydrating foods can get those affected feeling better soon and avoid dangerous dehydration.

Watermelon and cucumbers are a great way to get in extra fluids with your food, and using rehydration liquids like Pedialyte can help replace anything lost. Ice pops are a great way to get even the pickiest little ones to get the hydration they need. While it might take a few days for your appetite to return to normal, sticking to easy-to-digest, bland foods in small portions right after illness can help prevent symptoms from recurring.

The key is to keep an eye out for some red flags that signal things need a bit more support than home management. Severe pain, fevers, confusion, decreased or darker urine output, dizziness, or inability to keep fluids down are all signs to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Of course, it's always ok to pop over to your local Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care for advice and a check anytime these illnesses arise.

The good news: most gastroenteritis will resolve in a couple of days. With proper supportive care and the help of a clinician if needed, you can get back to all that summer has to offer just in time for the fireworks. Stay safe and have fun!