FLORIDA'S ONLY JOINT COMMISSION-ACCREDITED URGENT CARE
FLORIDA'S ONLY JOINT COMMISSION-ACCREDITED URGENT CARE · ONE OF JUST 8 NATIONWIDE
FLORIDA'S ONLY JOINT COMMISSION-ACCREDITED URGENT CARE
FLORIDA'S ONLY JOINT COMMISSION-ACCREDITED URGENT CARE · ONE OF JUST 8 NATIONWIDE
Walk-in physician evaluation, IV fluids for dehydration, anti-emetics on-site, and stool testing when indicated. Open seven days.
Joint Commission accredited. Physician on shift every day. Most insurance accepted.
Yes. TrufaMED evaluates viral gastroenteritis seven days a week under physician supervision, with IV fluids, ondansetron (Zofran), and on-site stool testing when indicated. The typical visit runs 60 to 90 minutes and most patients leave tolerating sips of water with a written discharge plan.
Featured Answer
Stomach flu — the everyday term for viral gastroenteritis — causes nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, cramping, and fatigue for 24 to 72 hours. Most cases resolve at home with oral rehydration. When vomiting breaks every oral attempt, when dehydration signs appear, or when symptoms are not improving, a physician visit with IV fluids and anti-emetics breaks the cycle in a single afternoon.
All three cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea — but the pattern, duration, and treatment differ. The physician sorts this out by history, exam, and when warranted, stool testing.
| Feature | Viral (Stomach Flu) | Food Poisoning (Toxin) | Bacterial Enteritis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onset | 12-48 hours after exposure | 1-6 hours after a suspect meal | 24-72 hours, often travel or raw food |
| Duration | 24-72 hours, rarely longer than 5 days | 12-24 hours, often resolves quickly | 3-7 days, can be longer |
| Fever | Low-grade or absent | Often absent | Commonly present, sometimes high |
| Stool | Watery, no blood | Watery, no blood | May be bloody or mucous-containing |
| Typical cause | Norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus | Staph aureus, Bacillus cereus toxins | Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, E. coli, C. diff |
| Stool test indicated? | Usually not | Usually not | Yes, especially with blood, travel, or after antibiotics |
| Treatment | Supportive — fluids, anti-emetics, rest | Supportive — fluids, anti-emetics | May require targeted antibiotic therapy |
| Contagion | Highly contagious (norovirus 48h after symptoms) | Not person-to-person from the meal | Variable, some highly contagious (Shigella, C. diff) |
Viral gastroenteritis accounts for the majority of stomach-flu-like presentations in adults and almost all in children. Norovirus is the classic winter culprit and spreads explosively in households, schools, cruise ships, and restaurants. Supportive care — fluids, rest, anti-emetics — is all that is needed in most cases. Antibiotics do not help and can prolong illness.
Food poisoning from preformed toxin (classic picnic-potato-salad Staph aureus) typically hits hard and fast within hours of the meal, vomits itself out quickly, and is gone in a day. No antibiotics, no stool testing — just fluid replacement and anti-emetics. Food poisoning that persists or includes blood in the stool is not toxin-mediated and usually belongs in the bacterial enteritis category.
Bacterial enteritis is less common but more important to identify because it may respond to targeted antibiotics and carries a longer course and more complications. Triggers for stool testing: bloody stool, recent international travel, recent hospitalization or antibiotic use, prolonged course beyond 72 hours, severe abdominal pain, high fever, or immunocompromise.
Most stomach flu rides out at home with small sips, rest, and over-the-counter measures. The signs below move the situation from wait-it-out to walk-in.
The most useful bedside predictor of moderate-to-severe dehydration is orthostatic vital signs — a rise in heart rate of 20 beats per minute or more, or a drop in systolic blood pressure of 20 mmHg or more, on moving from sitting to standing. Reduced urine output and tachycardia at rest are the next most useful signs. In most cases, clinical exam plus a brief history of fluid losses is enough to decide whether IV fluids are needed.
Patients who are not vomiting and can tolerate sips of electrolyte solution usually do not need urgent care and can recover safely at home with oral rehydration. Patients with any of the findings above benefit from a physician visit and often IV fluids.
The workhorse combination for acute viral gastroenteritis in urgent care: IV ondansetron to stop the vomiting, followed by IV Lactated Ringers or normal saline to restore volume. Most patients feel substantially better within the first 30 to 45 minutes of treatment.
A 4 or 8 mg IV dose of ondansetron is the first intervention. Ondansetron is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist that stops the vomiting reflex at the level of the gut and brainstem. Onset is within 15 minutes in most patients. Once the nausea and vomiting break, the patient can usually tolerate oral sips within the same visit. For children who are mildly dehydrated, a single dose of oral ondansetron often prevents IV placement entirely by enabling oral rehydration to succeed.
Lactated Ringers is our default for gastroenteritis because it is buffered and balanced. Normal saline is used for shorter infusions or specific electrolyte patterns. Adults typically receive 1 to 2 liters over 45 to 90 minutes, titrated to heart rate, blood pressure, and clinical response. Pediatric dosing is calculated by weight (typically 20 mL/kg bolus, repeated as needed).
Magnesium sulfate when there is cramping or migraine-pattern headache accompanying the GI illness. Intravenous potassium when labs show hypokalemia (more common after prolonged vomiting). Metoclopramide (Reglan) as a second-line anti-emetic when ondansetron is insufficient. Vitamin supplementation rarely needed in acute gastroenteritis.
After the fluid infusion, we re-check vitals, confirm oral tolerance with sips of water or electrolyte solution, and provide a written discharge plan covering diet progression (clear liquids for 12 hours, then bland foods, then normal diet), activity guidance, contagion precautions, and specific return precautions.
Stomach Flu IV Protocol
What Arrives With IV Placement
Most viral gastroenteritis does not need a stool test — the diagnosis is clinical and treatment is supportive. There are specific clinical scenarios, however, where identifying a bacterial or parasitic cause changes management. Our physicians order stool studies selectively.
Visible blood in stool raises concern for invasive bacterial pathogens — Shigella, Campylobacter, enterohemorrhagic E. coli. Stool culture and C. diff testing are indicated, and certain pathogens (EHEC) change treatment significantly.
International travel, particularly to regions with waterborne disease, warrants stool testing for bacterial pathogens and parasites (Giardia, Entamoeba, Cryptosporidium). Travel history changes the diagnostic workup.
Diarrhea during or within 8 weeks of antibiotic use raises concern for Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Stool C. diff toxin or PCR testing is indicated; treatment is different from viral gastroenteritis.
Patients on chemotherapy, immune-suppressing medications, post-transplant, or with untreated HIV have broader differential and lower threshold for stool studies. Opportunistic infections and prolonged courses are more common.
Viral gastroenteritis typically resolves within 72 hours. Persistent diarrhea beyond this window, especially with fever or systemic symptoms, shifts the differential toward bacterial, parasitic, or inflammatory causes warranting workup.
Fever over 102°F persisting past 48 hours, severe abdominal pain, or signs of systemic illness prompt stool studies alongside basic labs. Bacterial pathogens are more likely in this clinical picture.
Available stool studies include stool culture (Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter), stool C. diff toxin or PCR, ova and parasites, Giardia antigen, and in appropriate settings a GI pathogen panel that tests for many pathogens simultaneously. The physician chooses which to order based on the clinical picture.
Children dehydrate faster than adults and respond well when treated early. Our physicians see children daily through our pediatric urgent care service, and the treatment approach differs in important ways from adults.
For mild-to-moderate pediatric stomach flu, the evidence-based first step is a single dose of oral ondansetron (dissolvable tablet) to stop the vomiting, followed by small frequent sips of a proper oral rehydration solution (Pedialyte, CeraLyte, or equivalent). Frequency is critical: a teaspoon every 1-2 minutes works, a full cup every 10 minutes often triggers more vomiting. This protocol alone resolves the majority of pediatric gastroenteritis cases without an IV.
IV fluids are indicated when: oral rehydration has failed over multiple attempts, dehydration is moderate-to-severe (lethargy, sunken eyes, poor skin turgor, reduced urine output or dry diapers, delayed capillary refill), or ongoing losses are clearly outpacing oral intake. Pediatric IV fluid is dosed by weight (20 mL/kg of Lactated Ringers, repeated as needed) and monitored closely.
Infants under three months with any concerning symptom (fever, lethargy, poor feeding, reduced wet diapers, persistent vomiting) are evaluated promptly and often referred to pediatric emergency services when severity or age warrants it. For older infants and toddlers with ordinary stomach flu, we handle the full course in clinic.
Bring the child in when: vomiting breaks every oral attempt for 4 or more hours, there have been no wet diapers for 8 hours, the child is unusually drowsy or hard to rouse, there is blood in stool, fever is persistent above 102°F, the child is under 3 months with any concerning symptom, or you are simply unsure. Pediatric evaluation is a low-threshold decision — come in.
Pediatric Stomach Flu Quick Facts
Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are not always viral. Several surgical abdominal emergencies present with early symptoms that look like gastroenteritis. Our physicians evaluate every patient with this presentation for the classic red flags that change the disposition from urgent care to emergency department.
Early appendicitis can mimic stomach flu: periumbilical pain, nausea, loss of appetite, sometimes vomiting. The distinguishing features develop over hours to days: pain migrates to the right lower quadrant, becomes localized and severe, and worsens with movement or coughing. Rebound tenderness, guarding, and a positive psoas or obturator sign on exam are concerning. Patients with these findings go to the emergency department for imaging (CT) and surgical evaluation.
Cramping abdominal pain, inability to pass gas or stool, abdominal distention, and vomiting (often bilious or feculent) point to bowel obstruction rather than gastroenteritis. Prior abdominal surgery, hernia, or known malignancy increase the probability. Imaging and surgical consultation are needed.
Right upper quadrant pain, positive Murphy’s sign, and fever suggest cholecystitis. Severe mid-epigastric pain radiating to the back with persistent vomiting suggests pancreatitis. Both require labs and imaging outside the urgent care scope.
Any woman of reproductive age with abdominal pain receives a pregnancy test. An ectopic pregnancy can present with vague GI symptoms in early stages, followed by lower abdominal pain with bleeding or hemodynamic instability. Positive pregnancy test plus abdominal pain is managed as ectopic until proven otherwise.
A diabetic patient with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain may be in DKA rather than gastroenteritis. Fruity breath, rapid deep breathing (Kussmaul respiration), and signs of dehydration point to the diagnosis. This is an emergency requiring hospital management.
Findings That Move to ER
Most viral gastroenteritis — especially norovirus — is extraordinarily contagious. A single infected person in a household can generate multiple secondary cases in 24 to 48 hours. Understanding the spread pattern is part of the discharge plan.
Norovirus spreads through fecal-oral transmission, through airborne particles from vomiting, and through contaminated surfaces. It is one of the most infectious viruses known — as few as 18 virus particles can cause illness. The virus persists on surfaces for days and alcohol-based hand sanitizer does not kill it effectively; soap-and-water handwashing is required.
People with acute viral gastroenteritis should stay home during active symptoms and for a minimum of 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea. Food handlers, healthcare workers, and childcare workers should follow longer exclusion periods per employer and public health policy. Children should not return to school or daycare until symptoms have been absent for 48 hours.
Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food. Disinfect contaminated surfaces with a dilute bleach solution (5-25 mL bleach per liter of water). Wash soiled clothing or bedding on the hottest cycle and dry thoroughly. Do not share cups, utensils, towels, or bedding.
An infected food handler is the most common source of restaurant-associated norovirus outbreaks. Do not prepare food for others while ill or for at least 48 hours after recovery. Wash raw produce thoroughly. Cook shellfish to the proper internal temperature — raw oysters are a common source.
Contagion Quick Reference
Most stomach flu is urgent-care level. A small fraction is not. The findings below move disposition directly to the emergency department.
Go to the ER or call 911 if:
If you are unsure, come in. We triage on arrival and transfer patients to the ER when findings warrant it. A same-day physician evaluation is worth it when the alternative is missing a surgical abdomen, severe dehydration, or DKA. For stomach flu that is classic and uncomplicated, urgent care is the right level of care and we can break the cycle in a single visit.
Stomach flu is one of the most common reasons adults and children walk into urgent care. The quality of the visit — a competent physician, a fast ondansetron-plus-fluids protocol, and appropriate screening for surgical mimics — matters.
01 · Accreditation
Florida’s Only JC-Accredited Urgent Care
Joint Commission accreditation — the same body that accredits hospitals — audits our sterile technique, medication safety, infection control, and clinical protocols every three years.
02 · Physicians
Every Visit Includes an MD
Every patient is evaluated by a board-certified physician. Led by Dr. Uri Gedalia (Chief Medical Officer) and Dr. Shane D. Naidoo (Medical Director, Emergency Medicine). Meet them on our staff page.
03 · IV + Zofran On-Site
Fast-Acting Protocol
IV ondansetron works in 15 minutes. IV Lactated Ringers restores volume in 45-90 minutes. Most patients leave within 2 hours feeling substantially better, tolerating sips of water.
04 · Labs On-Site
Stool Testing When Indicated
When the clinical picture points to bacterial enteritis, C. diff, or parasitic infection, our on-site lab orders and collects the test the same visit.
05 · Surgical Screen
Physician Rules Out Mimics
Appendicitis, obstruction, cholecystitis, ectopic pregnancy, and DKA all present with nausea and vomiting. A board-certified physician distinguishes viral gastroenteritis from these and escalates when findings warrant it.
06 · Insurance
Most Plans Accepted
Aetna, Cigna, UHC, Humana, Oscar*, Medicare. Self-pay patients welcome with transparent pricing. IV fluids and Zofran bill as standard urgent care treatment when clinically indicated.
The questions our physicians answer most often about viral gastroenteritis and stomach flu at urgent care.
TrufaMED is at 9445 Harding Ave in Surfside — minutes from Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Miami Beach, Sunny Isles, and Aventura. Walk in without an appointment seven days a week.
9445 Harding Ave, Surfside, FL 33154 · Contact our team · Walk-in only — no appointment needed.
Monday – Friday
9 AM – 9 PM
Saturday
11 AM – 11 PM
Sunday
12 PM – 8 PM
TrufaMED is Florida’s only Joint Commission-accredited urgent care. In addition to stomach flu, we handle the full urgent care spectrum including dehydration IV, influenza, migraine, UTI, and sore throat. Most insurance accepted. Self-pay patients welcome.
Stomach flu treatment at TrufaMED — physician exam, IV fluids, anti-emetics, and stool testing when indicated — is covered by most major plans as a standard urgent care visit.
Physician evaluation, IV fluids, anti-emetics, and stool testing when indicated in a single urgent care visit. No appointment needed. Most insurance accepted.
Medical Disclaimer: Content on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Gastroenteritis severity and underlying causes vary by individual, and proper diagnosis requires an in-person physician evaluation. If you are experiencing signs of severe dehydration with altered mental status, vomiting blood, passing black or bloody stool, severe localized abdominal pain, suspected surgical abdomen, or any other life-threatening symptom, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. TrufaMED Urgent Care & Concierge Medicine — 9445 Harding Ave, Surfside, FL 33154 — (305) 537-6396. Joint Commission accredited.
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Copyright © 2026 TrufaMED Urgent Care
Patients frequently ask whether their symptoms are caused by the stomach flu or food poisoning, and understanding the distinction helps guide treatment decisions. Viral gastroenteritis, commonly called stomach flu, is caused by viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus that infect the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms typically develop 12 to 48 hours after exposure and include watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and sometimes low-grade fever. The illness usually runs its course within one to three days.
Food poisoning results from consuming food or beverages contaminated with bacteria, bacterial toxins, parasites, or chemical substances. Common bacterial causes include Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, and Staphylococcus aureus. Symptoms can appear within hours of eating contaminated food and may include violent vomiting, severe diarrhea that may be bloody, high fever, and intense abdominal pain. Certain types of food poisoning, particularly those caused by E. coli O157 or Listeria, can cause serious complications and require medical monitoring.
At TrufaMED Urgent Care in Surfside, our physicians evaluate your symptom timeline, dietary history, exposure contacts, and clinical presentation to differentiate between viral gastroenteritis and food poisoning. This distinction matters because some bacterial infections require antibiotic treatment, while viral illness is managed with supportive care and hydration. When indicated, we can order stool cultures and other laboratory tests to identify the specific pathogen.
The most serious complication of stomach flu and food poisoning is dehydration. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea cause rapid loss of water and essential electrolytes including sodium, potassium, and chloride. In South Florida's heat and humidity, this fluid loss is compounded by increased sweating, making dehydration a genuine medical concern rather than a minor inconvenience.
Mild dehydration produces symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth, decreased urination, and dark-colored urine. Moderate to severe dehydration can cause dizziness, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, and in extreme cases, kidney damage or cardiovascular compromise. Children, elderly patients, and individuals with chronic health conditions are at highest risk for rapid dehydration.
When you cannot keep oral fluids down, intravenous hydration at TrufaMED provides the fastest and most effective route to rehydration. Our IV therapy delivers isotonic fluids and electrolytes directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the compromised gastrointestinal tract entirely. Many patients experience dramatic improvement in energy, mental clarity, and overall well-being within 30 to 45 minutes of starting an IV infusion.
Effective management of nausea and vomiting goes beyond simply waiting for symptoms to resolve. Our physicians prescribe antiemetic medications such as ondansetron that work by blocking serotonin receptors in the brain's vomiting center, providing rapid relief from nausea. For patients who cannot keep oral medications down, we administer these medications intravenously or through sublingual dissolving tablets that absorb through the oral mucosa.
Anti-diarrheal agents may be appropriate for certain patients, though our providers carefully evaluate whether slowing bowel motility is safe given the specific cause of your symptoms. Antispasmodic medications can help relieve painful abdominal cramping that often accompanies gastroenteritis. Probiotics may be recommended during recovery to help restore healthy gut flora disrupted by the infection.
For patients with bacterial food poisoning confirmed by examination findings or laboratory testing, targeted antibiotic therapy may be prescribed. Our providers follow evidence-based guidelines to determine when antibiotics are beneficial and when they may be unnecessary or potentially harmful, as in the case of certain E. coli infections where antibiotics can increase complication risk.
Proper nutrition during and after a stomach illness significantly affects recovery speed and comfort. Our physicians provide personalized dietary guidance based on your specific condition. During the acute phase of illness, we typically recommend clear liquids including water, broth, electrolyte solutions, and diluted fruit juices. As symptoms improve, gradual introduction of bland, easily digestible foods such as toast, rice, bananas, and applesauce helps the gastrointestinal tract recover without triggering symptom recurrence.
We advise patients to avoid dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and high-fat meals until full recovery, as these can irritate the healing gut lining and prolong symptoms. Adequate rest is equally important, as the body's immune response to gastrointestinal infection is energy-intensive. Most patients recover fully within three to seven days with appropriate treatment and supportive care.
TrufaMED Urgent Care provides walk-in evaluation and treatment for stomach flu, food poisoning, and severe nausea seven days a week. Our clinic at 9445 Harding Ave in Surfside is equipped with on-site IV hydration, injectable anti-nausea medication, and laboratory testing capabilities. We serve patients from Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Sunny Isles Beach, Aventura, and surrounding communities. Most major insurance plans are accepted, and transparent self-pay pricing is available for uninsured patients.
TrufaMED concierge members get 24/7 physician access, same-day appointments, and on-site diagnostics under one roof.
Learn About Concierge Medicine →TrufaMED Urgent Care is located at 9445 Harding Ave, Surfside, FL 33154, at the corner of Harding Avenue and 95th Street. We are just 2 minutes from Bal Harbour Shops, steps from the Surfside Community Center, and easily accessible via Collins Avenue from Miami Beach, Bal Harbour, and Sunny Isles Beach.
Guests at nearby hotels including the Four Seasons Surf Club, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, and the Faena Hotel Miami Beach are just minutes away. We also serve patients from Aventura, Bay Harbor Islands, Indian Creek, and North Miami Beach.
Open 7 days a week • No appointment needed • Walk-ins welcome • (305) 614-2545
