Romania confronts summer gastrointestinal virus outbreak, doctors stress hydration

Doctors warn that a summer‑season gastrointestinal virus is spreading across Romania, causing sudden nausea, vomiting and watery diarrhoea. Symptoms usually resolve within 24–48 hours, but the illness can lead to dehydration, especially in young children and the elderly.

Medical experts advise continuous fluid intake in small, regular sips, using water, herbal teas, oral rehydration solutions or electrolyte drinks. For children, oral rehydration salts are recommended, while adults may benefit from probiotics and a light diet of toast, boiled potatoes, rice and bananas. A food‑free interval of four to six hours is suggested at the onset of symptoms, after which easy‑to‑digest foods can be reintroduced gradually.

Patients should seek medical care if vomiting persists, diarrhoea lasts more than two days, signs of dehydration appear, or severe fever and abdominal pain develop. Preventive measures include frequent hand‑washing, proper food storage and hygiene practices during the warm season.