Gastroenteritis Prevention: Simple Steps to Avoid Stomach Bugs

Most stomach bugs spread the same way: dirty hands, contaminated food or water, and close contact with sick people. You don’t need fancy tools to lower your risk. Small, consistent habits stop most cases of gastroenteritis before they start.

Quick, daily habits that actually work

Wash your hands often and properly. Wet your hands, lather with soap for 20 seconds (sing “Happy Birthday” twice), scrub between fingers and under nails, rinse and dry. Do it after using the toilet, changing diapers, before eating, and after handling raw food.

Handle food safely. Keep raw meat and seafood separate from ready-to-eat foods. Cook poultry to 165°F (74°C) and ground meats to at least 160°F (71°C). Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and reheat them until steaming hot.

When eating out or traveling, watch the basics: avoid raw shellfish, skip salads or uncooked produce if you’re unsure about water quality, and say no to ice made from tap water in high-risk areas. If water safety is a concern, use bottled or boiled water for drinking and brushing teeth.

Clean and disinfect surfaces. After someone is sick, clean high-touch areas and bathroom surfaces with a standard household bleach solution (roughly 1 part bleach to 9 parts water) or a disinfectant that lists norovirus on the label. Wear gloves, remove solids with paper towels, then disinfect.

Extra steps for families and travelers

Vaccines help. Infants should get the rotavirus vaccine—it prevents a common and sometimes severe cause of gastroenteritis in babies. Talk with your pediatrician or pharmacist about the schedule.

Keep sick people away from others. If someone is vomiting or has diarrhea, they should stay home and avoid preparing food for others. Wait at least 48 hours after symptoms stop before returning to work, school, or daycare to reduce spread.

Use oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or electrolyte drinks if someone gets sick. For infants and young children, follow pediatric guidance—seek help quickly if they refuse liquids, have very little urine, or seem unusually sleepy or dizzy.

Probiotics can sometimes shorten symptoms for certain infections. They’re not a cure-all, but a pharmacist can recommend a product and dose that fits your situation.

If symptoms are severe—high fever, blood in stool, signs of dehydration, or symptoms lasting more than a few days—see a healthcare provider. Your local pharmacist at Canadaprescriptionplus.com can point you to safe OTC options and advise when to seek urgent care.

Prevention is simple: clean hands, safe food, smart travel choices, and sensible isolation when sick. Do those and you’ll cut your chance of catching or spreading gastroenteritis a lot.