If you experience diarrhea and/or vomiting, you may wish to get Nurse Advice by Phone.
Causes:
- Bacteria, parasites, viruses (including norovirus)
- Food poisoning e.g. from food that has been improperly stored
- Consumption of irritating food, drink or medication
- Pregnancy
- Overeating or overdrinking (especially alcohol)
- Stress andanxiety
- Takingantibiotics recently
Symptoms:
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting,diarrhea, and fever. People may feel very sick and vomit many times a day. Most people improve within three days. However, sometimes people become dehydrated and need medical treatment. Dehydration is the most serious complication.See alsoWhen to Call for Medical Advice.
Transmission:
Norovirus, a common cause ofinfectious outbreaks, can easily spread from person to person. People are contagious from the moment they begin to feel ill until at least three days after recovery.Good hygiene is critical to break the chain of transmission (seePrevention).
Specific means of transmission are:
- Having close contact with another person who is infected, for example by providing health care or sharing food or utensils
- Touching contaminated objects then touching your mouth
- Consuming contaminated food ordrinks
Self-care for adults:
For vomiting, follow these instructions in order:
- Do not eat or drink anything for several hours after vomiting.
- Sip small amounts of water or suck ice chips every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours.
- Next, sip clear liquids every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Examples include water, sports drinks, flat soda, clear broth, gelatin, flavored ice, popsiclesor apple juice. Do not drink citrus juices or milk. Increase fluids as tolerated.
- When you can tolerate clear liquids for several hours without vomiting and if you're hungry, try eating small amounts of bland foods. Try foods such asbananas,rice,applesauce, drytoast,soda crackers (these foods are calledBRATdiet). For 24-48 hours after the last episode of vomiting, avoid foods that can irritate or may be difficult to digest such alcohol, caffeine, fats/oils, spicy food, milk or cheese.
- When you can tolerate bland food, you can resume your normal diet.
Retake medicationsif vomiting occurs within 30 minutes of taking usual medication. If you vomited after taking oral contraceptive pills, use a back-up contraception method for the rest of the month.
If diarrhea is the only symptom,try Imodium, a non-prescription (over-the-counter) medication available at theUHS Pharmacyaccording to package directions. Follow a bland diet (see 4 above). After the passage of a soft, formed stool, you can resume anormal diet. Call for medical adviceif you have no improvement within 48 hours after starting Imodium.
If you are sick in a Residence Hall:
You can ask a friend to make arrangements to bring you food from the dining room. See information about Feel Better Meals.
If you have questions or concerns about your food intake, you may call the Dining Services dietician at 734-647-2614 or send email to[emailprotected].
Notify your Housing director and let your parent/s know if you are ill. If you need assistance, contact the staff at your Community Center.
If you are sick and work in food service, you should contact your supervisor.
When to call for medical advice:
Call for medical care if you:
- Can'tkeep down liquids or food for more than 24 hours
- Have fever (101º F or 38.3º C or higher) with abdominal pain (may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea)
- Have diarrhea for more than 3 days or without gradual improvement over 5 days
- Have signs of dehydration, for example, lightheadedness, decreased urination (no urination at least every 8 hours) or severe fatigue
- Tookantibiotics recently
- Have bloody diarrhea
- Have abdominal pain that is not relieved by vomiting and/or diarrhea (that is, abdominal pain is unrelated to episodes of vomiting or diarrhea)
- Have insulin-dependent diabetesandexperience vomiting, diarrhea or nausea
- Are unable to take medications that you usually take
- Recently traveled to a country that poses a health risk
Prevention:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water and washfor at least 15seconds, especially after toilet visits and before eating. Hand-washing is more effective than hand sanitizeragainstnorovirus, but do use alcohol-based sanitizer when hand-washing is not possible (see also Wolverines Wash).
- Don't share eating utensils, drinking glasses or bottles, toothbrushes or other personal items.
- Sharing keyboards and other items? Be sure to wash your hands and clean surfaces. Using wipes with bleach helps.
- Immediately after an episode of illness, flush vomit and feces in the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is clean.
- Before cleaning, put on disposable gloves ifpossible.
- Place contaminated waste in a plastic bag, tie the bag and put it in a trash receptacle.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces including doorknobs and faucets. Clean first, then spray the area with a disinfectant cleaner (e.g. Lysol) or clean with a wipe that has bleach (see Videofor instructions). You can buy cleaning products at a pharmacy, grocery storeand at U-M retail stores. Be mindful that bleach can harm fabrics. Dispose of used cleaningitems in the trash.
- Keep soiled clothing separate from otherclothing, and wash soiled clothing or linens in hot water. Also, use pre-wash cycle if it's available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick and for 48 hours after the last episode.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, if possible.
More information:
- Tips for Academic Success ifYou are Sick or Injured
- Nurse Advice by Phone, day and night, may save you a trip to UHS or the ER
- How to Get Health Care at UHS -Appointments are required for most medical services, however, options are available for urgent concerns
- U-M faculty and staff may contact theU-M Occupational Safety and Environmental Healthat 734-647-1143.
- Read more about viral gastroenteritis from theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.
