Vomiting and Diarrhea Virus

There have been many cases of vomiting and diarrhea coming to the medical camp. These viruses are passed from person to person and are often due to lack of cleanliness.

Prevention:

Please ensure that you wash your hands with soap OFTEN and especially before eating food. Make sure you are drinking filtered water at all times.

If you have vomiting symptoms:

- Take rest. Too much activity and not getting enough rest might make nausea worse.

- Stay hydrated. Take small sips of cold, clear, carbonated or sour drinks, such as ginger ale, lemonade and water. Mint tea also may help. Oral re hydration solutions, such as Pedialyte, can aid in preventing dehydration.

- Eat bland foods. Start with easily digested foods such as crackers and toast. When you can keep these down, try cereal, rice, fruit, and salty or high-protein, high-carbohydrate foods. Avoid fatty or spicy foods. Wait to eat solid foods until about six hours after the last time you vomited.

If your symptoms persist more that 24 hours, please seek help from a doctor.

If you have diarrhea symptoms:

- Take it easy. Too much activity and not getting enough rest might make diarrhea worse.

- Stay hydrated. Take small sips of cold, clear, carbonated or sour drinks, such as ginger ale, lemonade and water. Mint tea also may help. Oral re hydration solutions, such as Pedialyte, can aid in preventing dehydration.

- Eat bland foods. Start with easily digested foods such as crackers and toast. Eat in small quantities so as not to trigger more diarrhea.

Seek medical attention if any of these symptoms occur:

- Diarrhea doesn't improve after 24 hours

- Hasn't had a wet diaper in three or more hours

- Has a fever of more than 102 F (39 C)

- Has bloody or black stools

- Has a dry mouth or tongue or cries without tears

- Is unusually sleepy, drowsy, unresponsive or irritable

- Has a sunken appearance to the abdomen, eyes or cheeks

If your symptoms persist more than 24 hours, please seek help from a medical doctor. You can take IMMODIUM (LOMOTIL, LOPERIMIDE) to stop the diarrhea before going to waaz. However it is better to not block the diarrhea with this medicine as it can cause more complications.

Also, please DO NOT start antibiotics for diarrhea without seeing a medical doctor. Signs that you may need antibiotics include severe abdominal pain, high fevers, and bloody stool.