What is Stomach Flu?
The stomach flu is really viral gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines that causes vomiting and diarrhea. There are many different viruses that cause it including the infamous Norwalk virus. Many bacteria and parasites can also cause gastroenteritis. Often, the viruses, bacteria, and parasites that cause gastroenteritis are food borne. Those cases are considered to be food poisoning. So, sometimes you get a stomach flu virus via contaminated food or water. The stomach flu viruses are not related to the influenza viruses which cause the real flu. The annual flu shot does not protect you from the stomach flu. The name “stomach flu” is just a nick name.
Stomach flu is an infection that is caused by a virus. Medically referred to as viral gastroenteritis, it afflicts both the stomach and the small intestine. Stomach flu is not at all related to influenza and is not caused by one particular virus. It can be caused by many different viruses and stomach flu is simply used as a catchall phrase. The most common symptoms of the stomach flu include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Often, stomach cramps and chills are present. Mild fever, fatigue, appetite loss, and muscle aches are also common symptoms of stomach viruses. Symptoms may develop gradually over many hours or the onset may be quite sudden; generally, symptoms last from one to three days. The stomach flu is diagnosed based on a healthcare provider’s review of a patient’s symptoms; lab tests may be given to make certain a more serious illness is not responsible for the symptoms, as well as to discover complications. Among the viruses that cause stomach flu are rotaviruses and adenovi
Officially called gastroenteritis, stomach flu is an infection of the digestive system — and is totally unrelated to the regular flu (influenza), which affects the respiratory system. Stomach flu is the second most common illness kids get, after respiratory infections like colds. Although unpleasant, stomach flu is usually not serious. It’s usually caused by viruses, but can also come from bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, as well as some parasites. Stomach flu causes inflammation of a child’s stomach and digestive tract, usually triggering vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. “Babies and young children are especially prone to infection because their immune systems are still forming, so they haven’t yet built up the antibodies to fight off germs,” says Rita Steffen, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
