Facts About the Stomach Flu

The illness commonly called stomach flu causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but it isn't really flu. It's actually viral gastroenteritis. You can develop this illness after ingesting one of several viruses through direct contact with another person who is infected. The illness is usually short, lasting one to three days, but it can make you very ill. Most people recover fully, but gastroenteritis can be serious for some people, such as the elderly or very young children, who have severe vomiting or diarrhea and cannot replace their lost fluids quickly enough.

Causes

• Several viruses cause gastroenteritis. Among the most common are noroviruses and rotaviruses. Others include adenoviruses, sopoviruses and astroviruses. These viruses irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines.

Symptoms

• Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms of viral gastroenteritis, but the University of Michigan Health System says symptoms can also include stomach cramps, fatigue, headache, mild fever, chills, loss of appetite and muscle aches.
  Symptoms usually develop one to two days after exposure to the virus. Some other illnesses can cause similar symptoms. You should call your doctor if your symptoms are extremely severe or if you have been sick for more than a few days, according to the University of Michigan.

Transmission

• Person-to-person contact spreads the virus. You can catch it by drinking from the same glass or eating from the same plate as someone with the virus, or by kissing or shaking hands with someone who has the virus. You can also get it by eating food contaminated by someone who has the virus. Food contamination usually occurs when a preparer with the illness fails to wash his hands after using the bathroom, then touches the food. Water contaminated with untreated sewage can also spread the virus.

Treatment

• There is no cure for gastroenteritis. The illness must run its course. The most important concern is to prevent dehydration. Drink clear liquids and avoid solid foods until you start to feel better. Good choices for liquids include water, weak tea, apple juice and sports drinks, which help replace electrolytes lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Ask your doctor which kinds are best for you. If you have trouble keeping the liquids down, try taking small, frequent sips. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends keeping an oral rehydration solution on hand to use when infants and young children get diarrhea. You can get this solution at a pharmacy without a prescription. Follow the directions on the label for giving it to your child.

Prevention

• The best way to avoid getting the viruses that cause stomach flu is to wash your hands frequently. Avoid contact with people who have gastroenteritis and avoid eating food prepared by them. Don't share eating utensils. A vaccine can prevent severe diarrhea from rotavirus in infants and young children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ask your pediatrician about getting the vaccine for your child.