Do Probiotics Prevent Stomach Flu or Cause Stomach Pain, Gas, and Side Effects?
Understanding Probiotics and Their Role in Stomach Flu Prevention Many people give children probiotics in hopes of preventing or reducing the symptoms of the stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis. But recent research, including a large study led by Washington University School of Medicine, suggests that probiotics do not effectively stop children from catching the stomach bug or meaningfully reduce symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain after taking probiotics. Instead, the use of certain probiotics, especially while recovering from viral infections, may have no measurable benefit and could sometimes trigger uncomfortable side effects such as gas, gurgling, and abdominal cramping. If you are concerned about how to prevent the stomach flu or manage stomach upset after antibiotics or other medications, it is important to understand what the latest evidence actually supports. ( source ) Why Probiotics Are Popular for the Stomach Bug Probiotics are marketed with ...