A stomach virus runs its course in one to three days for most people, and there’s no medication that kills the virus itself. Treatment is entirely about managing symptoms, preventing dehydration, and getting back to normal eating as soon as your body allows. Here’s what actually works.
Fluids Are the Most Important Treatment
Dehydration is the real danger with a stomach virus, not the virus itself. Every round of vomiting or diarrhea pulls water and electrolytes out of your body, and replacing both is the single most effective thing you can do. Plain water helps, but it doesn’t replace the sodium and potassium you’re losing. Oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte or store-brand equivalents are formulated to match what your gut can absorb most efficiently, with balanced concentrations of sodium and glucose.
If you’re vomiting frequently, don’t try to drink a full glass at once. Small, frequent sips work far better. For young children who can’t stop vomiting, the CDC recommends giving just 5 milliliters (about a teaspoon) of oral rehydration solution every five minutes, then gradually increasing the amount as they keep it down. Adults can use the same approach: a few sips every few minutes rather than gulping down a bottle.
Sports drinks like Gatorade contain more sugar and less sodium than ideal, but they’re better than nothing if that’s what you have. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and sugary sodas, all of which can worsen diarrhea.
What to Eat (and When)
You’ve probably heard of the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. It’s a reasonable starting point for the first day or two, but there’s no clinical evidence it speeds recovery compared to other bland foods. Harvard Health notes that brothy soups, oatmeal, boiled potatoes, crackers, and unsweetened dry cereals are equally easy to digest.
The bigger mistake is staying on a restrictive diet too long. Once the vomiting settles and you can keep bland foods down, start adding options with more nutritional value: cooked carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes without the skin, avocado, skinless chicken, fish, and eggs. These foods are gentle on your stomach but provide the protein and nutrients your body needs to actually recover. Staying on crackers and toast alone for days leaves you running on empty.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (Imodium) work by slowing intestinal movement, which reduces the frequency of watery stools. For adults with mild to moderate diarrhea and no fever or bloody stool, loperamide can provide relief. It should not be used in children under two, and children under six should only take it under a doctor’s guidance. If you have severe abdominal pain, a high fever, or blood in your stool, skip it entirely, as these can be signs of a bacterial infection where slowing the gut down does more harm than good.
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can help with nausea and diarrhea in adults. It’s not appropriate for children or teenagers recovering from a viral illness due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome from its aspirin-like ingredient.
For fever and body aches, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the better choice over ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Massachusetts General Hospital specifically recommends against ibuprofen during gastroenteritis because it can further irritate an already inflamed stomach.
Probiotics Probably Won’t Help
Probiotics are widely marketed for gut health, but the evidence for stomach viruses is disappointing. A major study at Washington University evaluated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (sold as Culturelle), one of the most commonly recommended strains, in children with gastroenteritis. Children who took the probiotic twice daily for five days recovered at the same rate as those who took a placebo. Diarrhea lasted about two days in both groups. A parallel Canadian study using a different probiotic strain found the same result. Taking probiotics during a stomach virus is unlikely to cause harm, but don’t count on them to shorten your illness.
Caring for Babies and Young Children
Children dehydrate faster than adults, and infants are especially vulnerable. If your baby is breastfeeding, continue nursing, as breast milk provides both fluids and immune support. For formula-fed infants, offer small amounts of oral rehydration solution between feedings.
The teaspoon-every-five-minutes method is particularly useful for young children who vomit immediately after drinking. As a general guide, children under 22 pounds should get 2 to 4 ounces of oral rehydration solution after each episode of vomiting or diarrhea. Children over 22 pounds need 4 to 8 ounces per episode.
Watch for these warning signs of dehydration in infants: no wet diaper for six hours, crying without tears, a dry mouth, unusual sleepiness or irritability, or a sunken soft spot on the top of the head. Any of these warrants immediate medical attention. Bloody diarrhea, a fever of 102°F or higher, or frequent vomiting that prevents any fluid intake are also reasons to call your pediatrician or go to the emergency room.
Warning Signs in Adults
Most adults recover without medical intervention, but certain symptoms mean you need professional help. Get medical care if you can’t keep any liquids down for 24 hours, if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than two days, if you notice blood in your vomit or stool, or if you develop a fever above 104°F. Signs of significant dehydration include excessive thirst, very dark or absent urine, dry mouth, dizziness, and severe weakness.
How Long You’re Contagious
This is where stomach viruses are deceptively tricky. You feel better after a few days, but norovirus (the most common culprit) can still be shed in your stool for two weeks or more after symptoms resolve. The CDC recommends staying home for at least 48 hours after your last episode of vomiting or diarrhea. During that window and beyond, thorough handwashing with soap and water is essential. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not reliably effective against norovirus.
If someone in your household is sick, clean contaminated surfaces with a bleach-based disinfectant. Regular household cleaners often aren’t strong enough. Look for products on the EPA’s List G, which are specifically registered as effective against norovirus. Wash contaminated clothing and bedding on the hottest setting available and dry on high heat. The virus is hardy enough to survive on surfaces for days, so cleaning once and assuming you’re safe isn’t enough if someone is actively ill in the house.
Typical Recovery Timeline
Most stomach viruses follow a predictable arc. The worst vomiting typically peaks in the first 12 to 24 hours. Diarrhea often persists a day or two longer. By day three, most people are eating small meals and feeling noticeably better, though fatigue and a sensitive stomach can linger for up to a week. Your gut lining takes time to fully heal, so rich, greasy, or heavily spiced foods may not sit well even after the active illness passes. Ease back into your normal diet gradually over several days.