Ontario university sees around 100 cases of gastroenteritis — here's what to know about the stomach flu

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A cluster of students at the University of Guelph in southern Ontario are experiencing an abdominal illness called gastroenteritis, commonly known as the stomach flu. The first case was self-reported late Monday night, according to the school.

The university told Yahoo Canada that as of Thursday afternoon, there have been around 100 self-reported cases of gastroenteritis from students living in residences on campus. Most of the cases were reported from students living in South Residence, but a few cases came from other residences at the Guelph, Ont.-based school.

Amid the cases, the university added it's partnering with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) to assist in best practices and next steps. Moreover, staff are taking "enhanced measures" to mitigate the spread of cases, which includes sharing information with people who are impacted.

A spokesperson for the WDGPH told Guelph Today that some off-campus students might also be affected and that the team is working with the university to determine the source of the illness. Additionally, people who have been affected seem to "recovering well and quickly," the outlet reported.

What is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is often known as the stomach flu or stomach bug. It's a common condition that's caused by the irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines, causing issues like vomiting and diarrhea.

Most of the time, gastroenteritis is caused by a virus, especially norovirus for adults and rotavirus in children. The Government of Quebec noted these viruses typically circulate in the fall and winter, but gastroenteritis can also be caused by a bacteria or parasite.

Despite being called the stomach flu, gastroenteritis is not the same as influenza, which impacts the respiratory system. That means a flu shot will not protect you against this condition.

Is gastroenteritis dangerous?

For most people, gastroenteritis is not a serious illness. Typically, people experiencing the condition can take care of themselves at home and self-heal. However, it is extremely contagious and anyone can get it, meaning it's important to reduce the spread as much as possible.

Moreover, there are some people who are most at-risk of severe illness when it comes to gastroenteritis. According to Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health, that includes:

• Older adults

• Children under age five

• Pregnant people

• People with weakened immune systems

What are the symptoms of gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis impacts the stomach and intestines, and symptoms often start suddenly. They can range from mild to severe symptoms, including:

• Diarrhea

• Nausea, vomiting or both

• Stomach cramps, pain

• Occasional muscle aches or headaches

• Low-grade fever

• Loss of appetite

• Bloating

• Feeling tired

Symptoms often only last for a day or two. However, some people might experience problems for up to two weeks, according to Mayo Clinic.

When should I get help if I have gastroenteritis?

There are some more serious symptoms of gastroenteritis that might warrant a call to your health-care provider. For adults, it's a good idea to seek help if you're seeing blood in your stool or vomit. Other signs of a serious condition for adults include:

• Not being able to keep liquids down for 24 hours

• Vomiting or having diarrhea for longer than two days

• Signs of dehydration, like excessive thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine, no urine, severe weakness

• Severe stomach pain

• A fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius)

How can I prevent getting gastroenteritis?

According to Mayo Clinic, there are no effective treatments for viral gastroenteritis. That means prevention is key.

Gastroenteritis can spread very quickly and easily. People will typically get the condition by consuming something that's contaminated or having direct contact with an infected person or animal, typically by caring for them, sharing food or using the same utensils.

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of gastroenteritis is by properly washing your hands — and making sure other people, like children, do so too. This includes using warm water and soap to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds, making sure to cover areas like around the cuticles, under fingernails and within your hand's creases. You should also carry around hand sanitizer.

Additionally, you should not share things like towels, washcloths or utensils with someone who is sick. Moreover, avoid preparing food for other people if you're sick and make sure to disinfect hard surfaces like counters, faucets and doorknob if someone in your home is ill.

How can I treat gastroenteritis?

While there are no direct effective treatments for viral gastroenteritis, the best thing to do if you're sick with the condition is to focus on rehydrating the body. According to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, treatment includes:

• Drinking lots of fluids like water, teas and hot soups to prevent dehydration and compensate for fluid loss due to diarrhea

• Use medications like Pepto-Bismol or generic versions with the ingredient bismuth subsalicylate to prevent vomiting

• Consume prebiotics and probiotics to treat diarrhea

• Get plenty of rest to help the body fight the infection

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