Stomach flu can cause diarrhea and vomiting that dehydrate you quickly. You may need fluids delivered through your veins so that you can recover.

Stomach flu happens when a virus causes an infection in your intestines. Noroviruses and rotaviruses that cause stomach flu aren’t the same as the influenza virus.

Read on to learn more about intravenous (IV) fluids, how this treatment can help with dehydration from stomach flu, and what risks and side effects you should keep in mind.

Sterile bags usually contain IV fluids. These bags connect to a tube and catheter. A medical professional inserts the catheter into a vein. Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines or ports can also deliver IV fluids. They don’t require a vein to deliver IV fluids.

Healthcare professionals can also include medications for pain, nausea, and antibiotics in the IV fluids.

You may need IV fluids for dehydration from stomach flu when you have:

  • low blood pressure or a rapid heart rate
  • your electrolyte levels drop
  • urine output, which is less and darker (measured by urinalysis)
  • frequent vomiting over a long period
  • diarrhea for more than 3 days

IV catheters can cause pain, irritation, or swelling in the skin and tissue around the insertion point.

You may also have bruising if the medical professional inserting the IV catheter misses a vein.

Other risks of IV fluids include:

  • kidney injury or swelling (edema) if the delivery of fluids happens too quickly
  • imbalance of electrolytes from having too much sodium (hypernatremia) or other electrolytes
  • allergic reactions to ingredients in IV fluids
  • non-sterile needle or IV catheter can cause infections in the insertion site if the
  • worsening of conditions that result from fluid buildup in your body, such as pulmonary edema

You will receive IV fluids at a hospital or doctor’s office. While some home kits are available in the market, doctors do not recommend doing this at home without training or supervision by a medical professional, such as a home health nurse.

The most common ways of IV fluid administration are:

  • pump infusion using an electronic device for precise dosages delivered automatically over a specific time
  • drip infusion using a tube and adjustable dial for slow, adjustable delivery of the fluid using gravity to pull it through the line

Here’s the process:

  1. A medical professional will set up a bag of IV fluids with a catheter, and the fluid is run through the tube to remove air or check for leaks.
  2. The medical professional will choose a vein for the catheter.
  3. They will sterilize the skin above the vein with alcohol.
  4. They will slowly insert the IV catheter into your vein until a small amount of blood returns to the line.
  5. They will turn on the pump or drip device to begin the infusion.

The symptoms of a stomach virus can include:

Contact a doctor if your stomach flu symptoms don’t get better after 48 hours, especially if you’re vomiting frequently or have severe diarrhea.

Get immediate medical help if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Will IV fluids help with a stomach bug?

IV fluids won’t help treat a stomach bug. However, IV fluids can help treat the dehydration that it may cause. IV fluids that contain antibiotics may help treat any bacterial infections that happen as a complication of stomach flu.

What fluids are good for stomach flu?

IV fluids that contain electrolytes are good for stomach flu. You lose a lot of electrolytes when you vomit or have diarrhea as a result of stomach flu, so getting electrolytes like sodium chloride and potassium can help you quickly balance your electrolyte levels.

You can use IV fluids to help treat sudden and severe dehydration. Usually, you won’t need them. Drinking more water and electrolyte drinks is sufficient.