The most important thing to take for a stomach virus is fluids. No medication will cure a stomach virus, which runs its course in one to three days, but the right combination of liquids, over-the-counter remedies, and easy-to-digest foods can keep you comfortable and prevent dehydration while your body fights it off.
Fluids Come First
Dehydration is the real danger with a stomach virus, not the virus itself. Vomiting and diarrhea drain water and electrolytes fast, and replacing them is the single most effective thing you can do. Small, frequent sips work better than gulping a full glass, which can trigger more vomiting. Aim for a few tablespoons every 10 to 15 minutes, gradually increasing as your stomach allows.
Water alone isn’t ideal because it doesn’t replace the sodium and potassium you’re losing. Oral rehydration solutions (sold as Pedialyte or store-brand equivalents) are the gold standard because they contain a precise balance of electrolytes and sugar that helps your intestines absorb fluid more efficiently. Clear broths, diluted fruit juice, and coconut water are decent alternatives. Sports drinks contain more sugar than you need, but they’re better than nothing if that’s what you have on hand. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and full-strength fruit juice, all of which can worsen diarrhea.
Signs that dehydration is becoming serious include going six or more hours without urinating, very dark urine, a dry mouth, dizziness when standing, or a noticeably fast heart rate. In children, watch for fewer wet diapers than usual, no tears when crying, or unusual drowsiness. These warrant a call to your doctor or a trip to urgent care.
Over-the-Counter Medications That Help
Two common OTC options can ease symptoms, though neither shortens the illness. Knowing which one to reach for depends on your main symptom.
For diarrhea: Loperamide (Imodium) slows gut contractions so your intestines absorb more water. The standard adult dose is two capsules (4 mg) after the first loose stool, then one capsule (2 mg) after each subsequent loose stool, up to a maximum of eight capsules (16 mg) in 24 hours. It shouldn’t be used in children under 2, and older adults should use it cautiously because of a small risk of heart rhythm effects. If you have a high fever or bloody diarrhea, skip it entirely, as those symptoms suggest something more than a typical stomach virus.
For nausea and general stomach upset: Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can calm nausea and reduce the frequency of loose stools. However, it contains a compound related to aspirin, which makes it unsafe for children under 16 during a viral illness. In rare cases, aspirin-type products given to children with a virus can trigger Reye’s syndrome, a condition where the liver stops filtering toxic ammonia from the blood, leading to dangerous brain swelling.
For fever and body aches: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally the gentlest option on an already irritated stomach. Ibuprofen can work too, but it’s more likely to cause additional stomach irritation when you’re already inflamed.
What to Eat (and When)
You’ve probably heard of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. It’s fine for the first day or two, but nutrition experts now recommend a less restrictive approach. Sticking only to those four foods deprives your body of the protein and nutrients it needs to recover. Once your stomach starts to settle, typically 12 to 24 hours after vomiting stops, you can broaden your diet.
Good early options include brothy soups, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, crackers, and unsweetened dry cereal. As you feel better, add cooked carrots, sweet potatoes without skin, cooked squash like butternut or pumpkin, avocado, skinless chicken or turkey, fish, and eggs. These are all bland and easy to digest but provide the protein your body needs for repair. Avoid dairy, fried foods, spicy dishes, and raw vegetables until you’ve been symptom-free for at least a day. Reintroduce these gradually.
Don’t force yourself to eat if you’re actively vomiting. Focus on fluids first and let food wait until nausea subsides.
Probiotics for Faster Recovery
Certain probiotic strains may shorten the duration of diarrhea. One clinical trial comparing two well-studied strains found that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG reduced the average duration of diarrhea by nearly 19 hours compared to no probiotic. It also cut about a day off overall recovery time. A second strain, Saccharomyces boulardii, showed a smaller benefit that didn’t reach statistical significance in the same trial.
If you want to try a probiotic, look for one that specifically lists Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG on the label, as different strains have different effects. Start it as early in the illness as you can. Probiotics aren’t a cure, but shaving nearly a day off your symptoms is meaningful when you’re miserable.
Ginger for Nausea
Ginger has a long track record as a nausea remedy, and many people find it helpful for the queasy waves that come with a stomach virus. Ginger tea, ginger chews, or flat ginger ale (with real ginger, not just flavoring) are the easiest ways to use it. If you’re sipping ginger tea, steep a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger in hot water for five to ten minutes. It won’t stop vomiting on its own, but it can take the edge off persistent nausea between episodes.
Keeping the Virus From Spreading
Norovirus, the most common cause of stomach viruses, is extraordinarily contagious. A single infected person can shed billions of viral particles, and it takes fewer than 20 to make someone else sick. Standard hand sanitizer doesn’t reliably kill it. Soap and water, with at least 20 seconds of scrubbing, is your best defense for hand hygiene.
For contaminated surfaces like countertops, toilet handles, and doorknobs, the CDC recommends a bleach solution of 5 to 25 tablespoons of standard household bleach (5% to 8% concentration) per gallon of water. That translates to roughly one-third to one and a half cups per gallon. You can also use an EPA-registered disinfectant specifically labeled as effective against norovirus. Wash any contaminated clothing or bedding on the hottest setting and dry on high heat.
You remain contagious for at least two days after symptoms stop, so continue careful handwashing and avoid preparing food for others during that window.