• Inflammation of the stomach and intestines
• Symptoms may include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever
• Caused by a bacterial infection
• Commonly spread by contact with contaminated food and water, eating undercooked meat products or by contact with infected person
• Affects males and females
• Can occur at any age but more serious in infants and the elderly
• May be mild with few symptoms to severe and life threatening

FOR DIARRHEA

• Drink plenty of fluids (especially water)
• Home oral rehydration solution (ORS):
  • Six (6) level teaspoons of Sugar
  • Half (1/2) level teaspoon of Salt
  • 1 L (5 cupful’s) of clean drinking or boiled water and then cooled
• Eat the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Apple sauce, Toast)
• If accompanied by nausea, suck on small pieces of ice (not small enough to choke on!)
• Avoid strenuous exercise
• Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicines (refer to manufacturer’s recommendation for dosage):
  • Loperamide
  • Bismuth subsalicylate

FOR FEVER

• Apply cool cloth to forehead or armpits
• Drink plenty of fluids (especially water)
• Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee as these drinks can cause slight dehydration
• Over-the-counter medicine (refer to manufacturer’s recommendations for dosage):
  • Acetaminophen
  • Ibuprofen
  • Aspirin (Do not give to children or adolescents)

FOR NAUSEA

• Drink clear or ice-cold drinks (avoid drinks high in sugar)
• Eat light, bland foods (crackers or plain bread)
• Avoid fried, greasy, or sweet foods
• Eat slowly and eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Do not mix hot and cold foods
• Avoid activity after eating
• Over-the-counter medicine (refer to manufacturer’s recommendations for dosage):
  • Diphenhydramine
  • Cyclizine
  • Dimenhydrinate
  • Meclizine

FOR PAIN

• Apply hot or cold packs to the area
• Relaxation techniques
• Distraction
• Over-the-counter medicine (refer to manufacturer’s recommendations for dosage):
  • Acetaminophen
  • Ibuprofen