i went to lunch with my friend amanda…. we shared cheese dip *which she says she didnt double dip* and then that nite she ended up coming down with the stomach flu. I am afraid of catching it. I didn't know if u could contract from someone if they havent showed symptoms yet.

There's no stomach flu because flu is a respiratory infection. You're talking about viral and bacterial gastroenteritis and likely the viral form of it. and, yes, it's contagious before symptoms appear. the chances are that if Amanda has viral gastroenteritis, she may have transmitted it to you before either of you ever shared the cheese dip. Just keep an eye out for symptoms. If you also have it, you should know over the next 48 hours.

U are obviously saying that Amanda may have "double-dipped" into the cheese and and thats how U got the FLU..like and wonder at that description of yours >>Stomach Flu.??

If U are asking is it possible what U may be thinking and u know full well what I mean, the answer is YES.
U say she came down THAT Nite, which means she may have been in the contagious stage when U and her were sharing "cheese"
..
An AntiBiotic may well clear it all up.
In the Interim, depending on the country U are in, try a full teaspoonful of ENOS, followed by a cup of very warm (not actually hot) Black tea. DONT take Aspirin..If u must take a pain killer tablet, take a Paracetamol (Panadol) Ibuprofen.
Depending on your country, your Chemist/Pharm./Drug store assistant may know the terminology of Parcetamol and Enos

Yes,they can be contagious before they know they are sick. I have always been told alcohol kills any and everything. So when I share food with people I usually have a mixed drink. however she may not actually have the stomach flu. she may have just ate something that did not agreed with her. some of the food she ordered may not have been all the way cooked,especially if she had some type of chicken or seafood with her meal.

If you don't show symptoms within 72 hours of her showing symptoms,then I'd guess you are fine.

NO, you cannot get a stomach virus before symptoms show up. the reason for this is that these types of viruses are passed through vomit or feces, after the symptoms have already shown up. So don't worry about catching this bug from her.

It's more likely that some stranger with the stomach flu touched a doorknob, then you touched the doorknob and got the germs, and then you didn't wash your hands before eating lunch.

There are lots of diseases that can be spread before symptoms show, including HIV, influenza, and rabies.

My little girl just came down with it she was fine and woke up throwing up and she ran a fever of 103.9 it is brutal. So the answer is yes you can get it because most people that know they have it would not be able to eat out and cheese dip would be bad news.

You can still be contagious even when you're not showing symptoms.

there is NO stomach "FLU" the flu is respiratory, not digestive

I would say so.. b/c stomach flu is unstoppable once you have the little bit contact with the person that potentially has it. it like wild fire… literally…

NAUSEA:
*Sip room temp ginger ale. Nibble some ginger snaps. If you can get powdered ginger into your guts, that's the most effective natural remedy. I sometimes put it in capsules & swallow it, or I mix some in with applesauce. it doesn't taste great, but it works. you know you've had enough when you burp & taste ginger.
*Room temp, FLAT cola. Or coke syrup. Emetrol is the same type of stuff if they don't have coke syrup at the store. I have even gone to the McDonald's drive-thru in a pinch & asked for coke syrup. They gave me some!
*When I'm desperate & I have nothing else at home & do NOT feel up to running out to the store, I take a Dramamine (meclazine). it will help you sleep a few hours & take away your dizziness & nausea for a while.
*Clear liquids for now. Tea & juice at room temp, not cold. Cold will further shock & upset your stomach. Drink only 1 or 2 ounces at a time.
*FOOD: only if you can: eat light carbohydrates in small amounts- toast or crackers. As your tummy de-nauseates, graduate to light protein, like chicken breast or fish. Fatty foods are the last thing to add to your diet.
*ACUPRESSURE POINTS: Apply pressure to the webbing between your thumb & index finger on either hand. Use firm, deep pressure & a rapid massaging movement for several minutes. I don't mean caress it. Using the same kind of motion & pressure, rub with your thumb or thumbnail on the top of your foot between the tendons of the second & third toes.
*The last option is to go ahead & allow yourself to vomit. this does not mean MAKE yourself vomit. That is not recommended.

SINUSES, NOSE, THROAT, AND LUNGS:
Boil some salty water in a pot on the stove. Turn off the burner. Blow your nose & cough out some phlegm. make a steam hood by draping a small-to-medium-sized towel over your head & the pot. Breathe the salty steam in your nose, out your mouth several times. Breathe some in your mouth & out your nose a few times as well. Blow your nose often. keep this up until the steam stops. you can do this trick a few times throughout the day until you feel better. Salt is great.

OVER THE COUNTER MEDS TO TRY:
**Sinus decongestant: Phenylephrine 5mg. you don't necessarily need all the extras it's often mixed with.
**Expectorant: Guaifenisen (Mucinex is the brand name, but it's way cheaper at dollar stores. Always read ingredients!!) liquefies your mucus so it's much easier to expel. But you have to drink TONS of water or it won't work, & you must be near a bathroom because it makes you pee a lot. (yet causes constipation… another reason to stay hydrated!)
**Pain, inflammation, body aches, headache, fever: Ibuprofen (Advil) should be alternated with Acetaminophen (Tylenol).

IMPORTANT! IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT:
-Stay home. (even one day can make a difference. plus, you'll keep your germs to yourself.)
-Sleep!!
-Drink plenty of water. (8 8oz servings a day=bare minimum!! pee out those germs & flush 'em away!!)
-Take vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea.
-Eat garlic. (sorry, but it really is great for your health! and it will give you a good reason to stay home. hehe)
-Wash hands well & often. Moisturize skin to keep from cracking your hands to bits.
-Avoid milk & chocolate, which thicken your mucus and make your fight that much harder.
-Moderate exercise helps too!

NOTE: the meds and garlic are harsh, so don't take them on an empty or upset stomach.

COUGHING FITS:
>DAY: Mucinex and water. (generic is fine, and cheap!) Cough it out while you're awake.
>NIGHT: Delsym (cough suppressant, DEXTROMETHORPHAN). get some restful, coughless sleep.
HOMEMADE EXPECTORANTS: Mix very hot water, cayenne pepper, white vinegar, and honey. >GARGLE & SPIT OUT!!!!!!!<
Or drink hot water with lemon and honey.

NOTE: I am not a doctor or nurse. Consult a medical professional to tailor any of the above suggestions to your particular circumstances, especially taking into consideration your weight, age, health, whether you're pregnant or nursing. FEEL BETTER SOON!!

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 12 (HealthDay News) — If you get the stomach flu (also known as viral gastroenteritis), there are a number of things you can do to cope with the illness, an expert suggests.

“This virus causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, and head and muscle aches. although the virus itself most often is not a serious health threat, it can cause serious complications like dehydration, which can be especially dangerous for young children and older adults,” Dr. Christopher Zipp, a family physician at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of new Jersey's School of Osteopathic Medicine, said in a university news release.

Zipp offered the following tips for coping with stomach flu:

• Avoid dehydration by consuming plenty of fluids. The best choices are water or half-strength juices. It's best to avoid sodas or sports drinks, but they can be given to people who can't tolerate the recommended fluids.
• Relieve body aches and fever by taking over-the-counter, non-aspirin pain relievers such as acetaminophen, as directed.
• Rest as much as possible.
• Take steps to prevent spread of the virus. Throw away used tissues immediately and wash your hands often. Soiled bed linens or clothes should be washed separately from other laundry.
• Make sure you're fully recovered before heading back to work or school. People with the stomach flu can still be contagious for up to 72 hours after they feel better.

“Keep in mind that this illness is caused by a virus. Antibiotics, which work against bacterial infections, will not help you to recover,” Zipp explained.

“Most people will begin to feel better after a couple of days, but don't hesitate to contact your physician if you or a family member experiences extreme symptoms, such as uncontrolled vomiting or a high fever that persists and does not respond to over-the-counter medications,” he added.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has more about viral gastroenteritis.

Copyright © 2011 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

JANESVILLE, Wis. — Flu season has arrived, but one Rock County hospital is seeing a spike in stomach flu.Between 10 and 20 patients have been coming into Janesville’s Mercy Mall Urgent Care Center every day for the past months with symptoms of viral gastroenteritis, according to Catherine Onsrud, a nurse at the center.That’s about 10 times more cases then they typically see this time of year.”Viral gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, is not the same as the seasonal influenza, so it is unusual this time of year. usually we’ll see the stomach flu in the summer months,” Onsrud said.The symptoms include vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Onsrud said the virus can spread quickly within families.”Once it gets in your house, I mean you have to wash your hands a lot, but once you’ve developed symptoms, you’ve exposed everybody two days prior to the symptoms. It’s too late,” Onsrud said.The stomach flu cannot be prevented by the seasonal flu vaccine, and Onsrud said that means things could get worse when children return to schools soon.Onsrud said symptoms only last about three days for most people. However, the virus can be dangerous for young children, the elderly and people with certain medical conditions.Onsrud said the usual treatment provided at the Mercy Urgent Care Center is nausea medication, IV solution for extra hydration and a prescribed diet.she said anyone with symptoms should stay home from work and school to avoid further spreading the virus.