Kolkata: Doctors across the city are getting numerous cases of viral infection of the stomach or a stomach flu. Even though most of the affected have not needed hospitalisation, the infection has restricted their activities, with many losing working hours. Health experts said hand hygiene and eating healthy are the principal prevention measures for stomach flu.
Termed viral gastroenteritis, it is an infection in the intestine which causes symptoms like watery stool, stomach cramps and vomiting, which are sometimes accompanied by fever. Experts said a person can catch this infection after consuming contaminated food or water, and an infected person can pass it on.
“We are getting acute cases of vomiting, diarrhoea and abdomen cramps. While post-infection weakness is common, none that I came across has required hospital care,” said internal medicine specialist Rahul Jain of Belle Vue Clinic.
While this infection is self-limiting and settles within a few days, it could be severe in infants and older adults who are not immune competent.
Some doctors are getting patients who have gastrointestinal symptoms along with respiratory infection symptoms. Joydeep Ghosh, consultant, internal medicine, Fortis Anandapur, said, “ I’ve been encountering patients with viral infections, primarily linked to respiratory issues rather than isolated stomach infections. These individuals exhibit a combination of respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, including cough, fever, diarrhoea and nausea.”
Though often called stomach flu, the infection is not caused by the influensa virus. The inflammation in the stomach and the intestine can be caused by other viruses, including rotavirus, adenovirus and norovirus.
“There is no notable spike in cases related to stomach infections. The patients in the OPD are presenting with routine gastroenterological issues, and standard medication is proving effective,” said Pradeepta Kumar Sethy, director of gastroenterology at Medica Superspeciality Hospital.
Doctors said in most patients, there is no need for medication and antibiotics unless the infection is severe. “People should avoid taking over-the-counter medication, unless prescribed,” a state health official said.
