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Signs & Symptoms of Acute Gastroenteritis

Although it is not a type of influenza, gastroenteritis is commonly known as the stomach flu. This illness is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with a virus, bacteria or parasite as well as sharing food or eating utensils with an infected person. According to the National Institutes of Health, symptoms generally appear within 4 to 48 hours after ingesting the contaminated product. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms resolve within two days, but the person is contagious for 3 to 14 days.

  1. Nausea and Vomiting

    • This illness causes nausea and vomiting, which can lead to loss of appetite and weight loss. Contact your physician if you cannot keep liquids down for 24 hours, if you vomit blood or if you’ve been vomiting for more than two days. Contact your baby’s physician if your baby has vomiting that lasts more than four hours.

    Diarrhea

    • Diarrhea caused by gastroenteritis is watery and may contain blood if the illness is caused by a type of bacteria. The urge to get to the restroom is strong and a person may experience stool incontinence if he can’t make it to the bathroom in time. Contact your physician if you have severe or bloody diarrhea.

    Abdominal Discomfort

    • Abdominal symptoms of gastroenteritis include abdominal discomfort, pain and cramps. Contact your physician if you have increased abdominal discomfort or pain.

    Miscellaneous Symptoms

    • A low-grade fever, chills, clammy skin and excessive sweating are symptoms of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis can also cause a headache, joint stiffness or occasional muscle aches. Contact your physician if you have a fever higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and contact your child’s physician if your child has a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Dehydration

    • Dehydration can occur quickly as a result of gastroenteritis because the body is losing a lot of fluid through vomiting and diarrhea. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include dry or sticky mouth, low blood pressure, lightheadedness, dark yellow urine, decreased urine output, inability to produce tears and a sunken appearance to the eyes. Contact your physician if you have signs and symptoms of dehydration. Contact your baby’s physician if your baby has signs of dehydration, is unusually sleepy, if the soft spot on the top of his head is sunken or if he hasn’t had a wet diaper in at least six hours.

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