What are the symptoms of diarrheal diseases?
The main symptoms of diarrheal diseases caused by viruses are watery diarrhea and vomiting. The sick person may also have headache, fever, muscle aches, and abdominal cramps (“stomach ache”). In general, the symptoms begin 1 to 2 days following infection, and lasts for 1 to 10 days, depending on which virus causes the illness. Norovirus gastroenteritis usually lasts about 1-2 days. Gastroenteritis caused by bacteria is similar, but often also includes fever, and diarrhea may be either watery or bloody. Bloody diarrhea, also called dysentery, indicates damage to the wall of the intestine by the bacteria. Bloody diarrhea, or dysentery, is not caused by viruses.
