Student Health Center

Gastroenteritis

What Causes Gastroenteritis?

When you have symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, it could be caused by viruses, bacteria or a variety of other medical conditions.

What Should I Do?

  • Wash hands frequently—especially after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food. Wash hands for 15 seconds using soap and warm water.
  • Diabetics should follow their emergency sick plan for insulin doses and fluids.
  • Replace fluids lost from vomiting/diarrhea and fever with liquids with sugar and electrolytes (sodium and potassium), i.e. soup, bouillon, Gatorade, Ginger ale, apple juice, popsicles, water. Alternate sips of several ounces of water with sips of Gatorade, juice or soup. Avoid diet drinks until symptoms subside.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Eat food like bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, and crackers.
  • Fever may be treated with Ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but do not take more than the prescribed dose. Avoid aspirin.
  • Allow your body to cool if you have a fever. Wear loose clothes and wash head/face/upper body with lukewarm water for evaporation cooling. Do not use rubbing alcohol sponge baths.

When Do I Need Emergency Evaluation?

  • Abdominal pain is increasing or severe.
  • You see blood in vomitus or diarrhea.
  • Symptoms are getting worse at any time or do not improve in 24 hours.
  • You are dizzy or faint, despite trying to replace fluids. (You may need intravenous fluids to replace fluid lost with vomiting/diarrhea/fever.)
  • You have not urinated in eight hours or urine is dark yellow or brown/red.

Your evaluation may include:

  • Urine and/or blood tests to examine electrolytes and kidney/liver function.
  • Stool cultures to check for infections and/or parasites.
  • IV fluids to replace fluids lost with vomiting/diarrhea.
  • Consultation with a gastroenterologist if your symptoms are prolonged or severe.

If you were evaluated at the Student Health Center and after 24 hours, your symptoms are not improving, call (804) 289-8064 during office hours to schedule a follow-up appointment. If the SHC is closed, call Campus Police at (804) 289-8911 for emergency assistance.