What is Gastro and How Can I Stop It?

Full disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. Should you be in a sticky situation, you should always seek out advice from a legal professional.

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What is Gastro?

Gastroenteritis, more commonly known as gastro, is an infection of the gastrointestinal system that can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. It can be caused by a variety of things, including bacteria, viruses, or parasites, and is most commonly transmitted through contaminated food or water.

Gastro can be a very unpleasant experience, and it’s important to know how to treat it properly to avoid worsening the symptoms or spreading it to others. Here’s everything you need to know about gastro and how to deal with it.

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Symptoms of Gastro

The most common symptoms of gastro are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, and may be accompanied by a fever, chills, or a headache. Some people may also experience loss of appetite, fatigue, or muscle aches.

Gastro can last anywhere from a few days to a week, depending on the severity of the infection and how quickly it is treated. It’s important to pay attention to your body and listen to your doctor’s recommendations to ensure that you get the proper treatment and rest.

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Causes of Gastro

Gastro can be caused by a variety of things, including bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Bacterial gastro is usually caused by contaminated food or water, and can be spread through poor hygiene practices or consuming undercooked meat or seafood

Viral gastro is usually caused by a virus, such as the norovirus, and can be spread through contact with infected people or surfaces.

Parasitic gastro is caused by parasites and is usually transmitted through contaminated food or water.

It’s important to practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and thoroughly cooking your food, to reduce the risk of getting gastro.

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Treatment for Gastro

The most important thing to do when dealing with gastro is to stay hydrated. Gastro can cause your body to lose fluids, so it’s important to replace those fluids through drinking water or electrolyte-rich drinks like sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions.

It’s also important to avoid solid foods while you have gastro, as they can be difficult to digest and may worsen your symptoms. Instead, focus on consuming clear liquids like broth, water, or electrolyte drinks. As your symptoms start to improve, you can gradually reintroduce solid foods into your diet.

Over-the-counter medications like loperamide (Imodium) can be helpful in reducing diarrhea, but it’s important to speak with your doctor before taking any medications. Antibiotics may be necessary for bacterial gastro, but they are not effective against viral gastro.

It’s also important to get plenty of rest while you have gastro. This will give your body the opportunity to focus on fighting the infection and recovering.

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Preventing Gastro

To prevent the spread of gastro, it’s important to practice good hygiene and avoid contaminated food and water. Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, or handling raw meat or seafood.

If you have gastro, it’s important to stay home and avoid close contact with others until your symptoms have completely cleared up. This will help prevent the spread of the infection to others.

It’s also important to properly store and prepare food to prevent the spread of gastro. Foods should be stored at the appropriate temperature and cooked thoroughly to kill any bacteria or parasites.

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Can getting rest fix my gastro?

It’s easy to request a sick day or two off from work when you have gastro with a Partner Doctor through MinuteHealth. Rest can often help with gastro to reduce the length and severity of it.

Being an Aussie owned & run company, MinuteHealth understands the importance of helping our fellow Aussies out in times of need.

We also understand what it’s like to be in the queue at a doctor’s office just to get a note to confirm things you already knew about your health, just so you can get paid on what should be your day off. Being able to get medical certificates online helps Australians get the rest they need when they need it so they can get back on their feet and back to contributing in no time.

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If you need an online medical certificate, it’s a simple process to get one through MinuteHealth:

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📱 Head here

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📝 Fill in a short form — it asks for key details about your medical issue

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👨‍⚕️ Consult with your own Partner Practitioner — they’ll take the medical information you provide and review within 24 hours (typically within 4)

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📥 Get your medical certificate to your inbox — you’ll receive an SMS and an e-mail with your medical certificate ready to download

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It’s important to note that the independent Partner Practitioner will read your health notes and make an informed decision on whether to provide you with a medical certificate or not. The Partner Practitioner does not work for us, and we’ve created MinuteHealth to facilitate a convenient, ongoing connection with them.

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