A stomach virus, often colloquially referred to as the "stomach flu" or "stomach bug," is a microscopic organism that infects your digestive system. Unlike the common flu, which is caused by a respiratory virus, stomach viruses target the gastrointestinal tract. These viruses can cause inflammation and irritation of the stomach and intestines, leading to a range of unpleasant symptoms.

It's important to note that stomach viruses are not caused by bacteria. While bacteria can also cause food poisoning or other gastrointestinal illnesses, viruses are a different type of infectious agent. This distinction is crucial because antibiotics, which are effective against bacterial infections, are ineffective against viruses.

What are Some Common Stomach Viruses?

Norovirus, a highly contagious virus, is notorious for causing outbreaks in communal settings like schools, hospitals, and cruise ships. It can lead to severe vomiting and diarrhea, often resulting in rapid dehydration. Rotavirus, primarily affecting young children, is a major cause of severe diarrhea globally. However, widespread vaccination has significantly reduced its impact in many developed countries. Adenovirus is a versatile virus capable of causing various illnesses, including respiratory infections, eye infections, and gastrointestinal issues. While it can lead to stomach illnesses, symptoms are often milder compared to those caused by norovirus or rotavirus. Astrovirus is another common culprit of childhood diarrhea, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

What are The Symptoms?

The symptoms of a stomach virus typically manifest within 12 to 48 hours post-exposure. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, fever, and fatigue. In severe cases, dehydration can occur, leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, and reduced urine output. While most individuals recover without complications, it's crucial to seek medical attention if you experience severe dehydration, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, blood in your stool, high fever, or severe abdominal pain. Dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups like young children and the elderly, can be dangerous and may necessitate intravenous fluid therapy. If you're concerned about your symptoms or experience severe dehydration, consult a healthcare provider.

Ways to Prevent It

While there's no foolproof way to avoid stomach viruses entirely, adopting these preventive measures can significantly reduce your risk of infection.

Frequent Handwashing

This is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of stomach viruses. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before eating.

Sanitize Surfaces

Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, countertops, and toys, to eliminate viruses.

Avoid Contaminated Food and Water

Cook food thoroughly, avoid raw or undercooked foods, and drink clean water. Be cautious when traveling to areas with poor sanitation and consider boiling water before drinking it.

Practice Good Hygiene

Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. This helps prevent the spread of respiratory droplets that may contain viruses.

Mental health is a very important aspect of life, and the society at large, but a recent survey has shed light on the current state of mental health in adolescents and young adults. The survey of RAND was published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. The survey finds that 1 in 5 adolescents and young people is using an AI chatbot for mental health.

The organization also did a similar survey back in 2025, but then about 13% of respondents admitted to using a chatbot for advice; that number has jumped up to 19% this year. The 63% of them confessed that they did not tell anyone about taking therapy from a chatbot.

Ryan McBain, a senior policy researcher at RAND and the lead author of the study, said, “It’s a sad number, because you’d hope that young people would have the sorts of supportive relationships that they would feel comfortable and empowered reaching out to those around them.”

McBain and his team asked people aged between 12 and 21 years about their use of AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or Character.AI, for mental health advice. They also asked whether the advice from the chatbots was helpful, and the majority of participants felt that the suggestions were useful.

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Habits To Boost Mental Health

• Quality sleep is essential not just for physical health but also for emotional stability. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and limiting caffeine intake in the evenings can promote better rest and overall well-being.

• Reducing social media usage is another effective strategy. Constant exposure to curated glimpses of other people’s lives can lead to unhealthy comparisons and feelings of inadequacy, increasing anxiety and depression.

• Human connection plays a vital role in mental well-being. Strong relationships provide emotional support, reduce loneliness, and add meaning to life.

• Regular physical activity offers significant mental health benefits. Exercise does not have to be intense; enjoyable activities such as walking, dancing, yoga, or even stretching can positively impact mental well-being.

• Diet also plays a crucial role in mental health. Nutrient-rich foods, such as berries, bananas, beans, whole grains, and fatty fish, contain mood-boosting properties. Staying hydrated is equally important, as dehydration can lead to fatigue and cognitive difficulties.

• Knowing when to take a step back is equally essential. Some days may feel overwhelming, making even the simplest tasks seem daunting. Practicing self-compassion can prevent feelings of guilt and frustration from accumulating.

• Rest is critical for mental restoration. Engaging in mindfulness practices or setting aside quiet time can create a sense of calm amid daily responsibilities.

• Spending time outdoors, even briefly, can also uplift mental well-being. Stepping outside for a few minutes, taking a short walk, or simply opening a window can provide a refreshing mental boost.

Over one million Americans have contracted chronic hepatitis B and are now forced to go through a lifelong treatment process. Though these treatment only helps in terminating the virus, the risk of liver cancer stays on, and the constant fear and torment remain. Now, a new study of a drug trial for hepatitis B patients has given hope to millions.

The trial saw 1 in 5 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection getting cured. The 24-week test had 1,838 patients from 29 countries in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. The research published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that 20% of patients got a functional cure, and no virus was detected in them after 48 hours.

The drug, bepirovirsen, is made by Ionis Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline and can stop the virus from replicating itself while giving the immune system a chance to eradicate it. The treatment process will be done by administering an injection once a week. Notably, GlaxoSmithKline has already applied to the Food and Drug Administration for approval to market the drug.

Though there was an option of vaccination to prevent the disease, still, millions are infected. This effective functional cure option will be a great addition to the treatment of hepatitis B.

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What Is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. Many adults can clear the virus after an acute infection. Some, however, go on to develop chronic hepatitis B, which increases the risk of liver cancer, liver failure, and cirrhosis, or permanent scarring of the liver.

Also Read: Study Finds Healthy Lifestyle Reduces Cardiovascular Risk In Childhood Cancer Survivors

How Is Hepatitis B Spread?

The hepatitis B virus is highly contagious. It spreads when blood, semen, or other bodily fluids from a person who carries the virus enter the body of someone who is not infected.

Certain medical conditions, personal habits, and other circumstances can raise the risk, such as injection drug use or sexual contact, but the virus can infect anyone. Hepatitis B can also pass from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth, whether through a vaginal delivery or a C-section.

How Can Hepatitis B Be Prevented?

Vaccination is the most reliable way to prevent hepatitis B. The shots offer strong protection in infancy and continue to shield individuals well into adulthood. Babies usually receive a three-dose series.

A healthy lifestyle is very crucial for any human being, but for cancer survivors, it's a must, as they tend to get various diseases, including cardiovascular ones. A recent study by the University of Gothenburg and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital also doubles down on this aspect. Their research reveals that a healthy lifestyle can significantly lower the risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease in childhood cancer survivors.

The study published in Nature Communications observed over 18,000 childhood cancer survivors for 30 days. The results clearly show that most of the chronic health problems among childhood cancer survivors revolve around lifestyle. Those with a habit of inactivity, obesity, smoking, and high alcohol intake are likely to catch diseases.

Aron Onerup, Pediatrician and Researcher at the University of Gothenburg and former Postdoctoral Fellow at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, said, "This reveals that lifestyle plays a much bigger role than previously thought. Unlike the treatments already given, the lifestyle can actually be changed."

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Another study published in JACC: CardioOncology with 2,300 cancer survivor participants finds that those who do not exercise regularly are 1.4 times more likely to contract a cardiovascular disease. The disease burden in childhood cancer survivors who do not exercise is twelve times more than that of the general population.

Aron Onerup, a Researcher within Pediatrics at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and a Specialist Physician at the Pediatric Cancer Center at Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, in Gothenburg, said, "This means that physical activity can make a big difference in reducing the extra risk that emerges after cancer treatment and modify the negative effects from cancer treatments. Our results provide strong scientific support for offering survivors structured support for healthy lifestyles."

Also Read: Vitamin B12 And Folate Deficiencies Behind Chronic Fatigue, New Study Finds

Why Women Are More Likely To Develop Cardiovascular Diseases?

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one reason for death among women and men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Statistics show that about 44% women are living with heart diseases, and it is responsible for the death of 1 in 5 women.

There are many risk factors for heart diseases, like high blood pressure, which often goes undiagnosed in women. While studies have shown that women are more likely to live longer, even with diseases, a recent report shared how women are also more likely to have cardiovascular diseases than men.

According to the study published in the American College of Cardiology, even though women often try to live healthier, if they have issues like bad food habits or high blood pressure, their risk of heart disease goes up much more than it does for men.