A stomach virus leads to severe dehydration, especially from vomiting and diarrhea. When your body loses too many fluids and electrolytes, it makes you feel weak, dizzy, and drained. Doctors usually recommend drinking oral fluids like water or sports drinks to prevent dehydration during the infection.
However, if your symptoms worsen and you can’t keep fluids down, your doctor may suggest IV fluids to quickly replace lost liquids and electrolytes. A common question arises: does IV help with stomach flu?
IV therapy provides fast relief by replenishing your body’s fluids and boosting energy levels. Some IV providers in Palm Beach County even include vitamins to help you fight off the virus.
Keep reading to learn more about how IV therapy helps with stomach flu.
What Is a Stomach Flu?
A stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis, is an infection that affects your stomach and intestines. It’s caused by viruses like norovirus or rotavirus, and it spreads quickly from person to person. When you have the stomach flu, you may experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and sometimes a fever. It usually starts suddenly and lasts for a few days.
It’s also known as a “stomach bug,” but it’s hard to tell if it’s a virus or something else just by looking at the symptoms. You can catch the stomach flu by touching contaminated surfaces, eating lousy food, or being near someone sick.
Can I Get an IV to Treat the Stomach Flu?
IV fluids do not cure the stomach flu itself. Instead, medics use them to replace lost fluids and prevent severe dehydration. When you have the stomach flu, you might throw up a lot or have diarrhea, which makes you lose water and essential minerals. It leads to dehydration which makes you feel weak and dizzy.
If someone is too sick to drink enough water, an IV helps them recover faster. It provides water, salt, and other nutrients into the bloodstream, and helps the body stay balanced while fighting the virus. Doctors may suggest IV fluids if dehydration becomes severe and drinking fluids isn’t enough.
Signs and Symptoms to Consider IV Therapy for Stomach Flu
IV therapy helps you with stomach flu when you are going through severe dehydration. Some common symptoms include:
- Very little or dark-colored urine
- Feeling dizzy or weak when standing
- Dry mouth and extreme thirst
- Rapid heartbeat or low blood pressure
- Muscle cramps or confusion from lost electrolytes
- Vomiting too often to keep fluids down
- Diarrhea lasting more than three days
- Sunken eyes or dry skin that doesn’t bounce back
- Feeling very tired or unable to focus
How Does IV Help with Dehydration Related to Stomach Flu?
One key benefit of IV therapy is that it quickly restores lost fluids by delivering them directly into your bloodstream, working faster than drinking water. These fluids contain electrolytes like sodium and potassium to keep your body balanced and prevent cramps, dizziness, and weakness. They also replace minerals lost from vomiting or diarrhea.
Another advantage is that IV therapy provides vitamins and minerals to support your immune system. It also includes medications to soothe your stomach and reduce nausea. This helps ease symptoms like chills, aches, and fatigue. So, you feel rehydrated and more refreshed.
What Kind of IV Therapies Are Best for Stomach Flu?
IV therapy does not cure a stomach virus directly, but it targets dehydration and helps your body recover faster. When you have the stomach flu, it’s essential to replace the fluids and electrolytes lost through vomiting and diarrhea.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical experts suggest Ringer’s lactate solution to replace fluids and electrolytes in the blood.
One of the best IV options for treating dehydration is a Hydration IV, which you will find at WEL Palm Beach. The main ingredient in our IV drip is Lactated Ringer’s solution. It’s an isotonic fluid, sometimes called Ringer’s lactate or sodium lactate solution. It helps you manage dehydration caused by the stomach flu and restore balance.
Beyond the Hydration IV, you can take advantage of our IV add-ons to boost your immune system and energy levels. These add-ons are packed with vitamins and minerals that help your body fight the stomach flu and recover faster.
- B Complex: This vitamin helps give you energy and supports your body’s ability to fight off illness. It reduces fatigue and improves your mood, which is helpful when you’re feeling drained.
- Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 is known for increasing energy levels. It supports your immune system and you will feel less tired and more active.
- Vitamin C: This powerful vitamin helps strengthen your immune system and speeds up recovery by fighting infections and inflammation.
- Magnesium: Magnesium is essential for muscle function and helps reduce cramps and aches, which are common when you have stomach flu.
How Long Does IV Take to Work?
The amount of time it takes for IV fluids to work varies from person to person. Usually, you will start to feel better within 30 minutes to an hour after receiving the IV. According to the CDC, IV providers should check a person’s hydration levels every 15 to 30 minutes to see how well the IV works.
You may feel more energetic and less dizzy as your body absorbs the fluids. Once rehydrated, your doctor may suggest switching from IV fluids to drinking water or an electrolyte solution.
In Closing
Stomach flu makes you feel tired and weak because of dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea. Drinking lots of fluids like water or sports drinks is essential to stay hydrated. Eating light foods, like crackers or toast also helps your stomach feel better.
If you can’t keep fluids down and dehydration worsens, you can choose IV treatment for stomach flu after your doctor’s prescription to quickly replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. You can also add vitamins to your IV treatment for extra support.
If you’re looking for a professional IV provider in Palm Beach County, call us. Our mobile IV experts will come to your doorstep and help you feel better fast!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will IV fluids stop me from vomiting?
IV fluids help by giving your body the nutrients and hydration it needs, which might reduce nausea. They also help you recover faster, but they don’t stop vomiting directly.
Can I get IV fluids at home for stomach flu?
Yes, our IV services offer at-home IV therapy for dehydration caused by stomach flu. A nurse will come to your home to administer the fluids safely.
How much fluid do I get in an IV for stomach flu?
The amount of fluid depends on how dehydrated you are. Your doctor will decide based on your condition, but it’s usually enough to restore your hydration.
