Thestomach fluis an infection that causes gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The medical term for stomach flu isviral gastroenteritis, which means inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
you might contract viral gastroenteritis from exposure to infected individuals or from food or water containing certain viruses.
Carol Yepes / Getty Images
Carol Yepes / Getty Images
How Do You Know You Have the Stomach Flu?
The stomach flu is a viral infection, it requires exposure to a pathogenic virus.
Anyone with symptoms of dehydration who are unable to keep fluids down to rehydrate should seek urgent medical attention.
Stomach Flu vs Food Poisoning: What’s the Difference?
There is an overlap betweenstomach flu and food poisoning, with some subtle differences.
Stomach flu is a term used specifically for viral gastroenteritis, meaning a virus causes it.
It can be spread through contaminated foods, so some forms of food poisoning technically cause viral gastroenteritis.
However, viruses that cause stomach flu may also spread among people, not just through food.
So not all stomach flu is because of food poisoning.
Is Stomach Flu Contagious?
Stomach flu is due to a virus and iscontagious, meaning it can be passed from person to person.
It’s spread through close contact or exposure to an infected person’s stool or vomit.
It can also spread through contaminated water, food sources, or eating utensils.
Common causes of the stomach flu include:
Should People with the Stomach Flu Quarantine?
However, even after symptoms improve, there is still a potential for continuedcontagiousness.
Do not prepare food for others until at least two days after symptoms have improved.
How Long Does the Stomach Flu Last?
Stomach flu usually improves within a few days, but the exact duration depends on the underlying pathogen.
With the stomach flu, there is inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
This makes them more sensitive to certain foods, which can worsen symptoms.
Once you are tolerating small sips of liquids, you’re free to start introducing bland foods.
They may also become dehydrated relatively quickly and can show different signs of dehydration.
These may indicate severe dehydration and should prompt immediate medical attention.
Summary
The stomach flu is an unpleasant experience marked by gastrointestinal symptoms.
It’s due to viruses that cause inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
Fortunately, it usually resolves within a few days, but it’s important to stay hydrated.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Viral agents of gastroenteritis public health importance and outbreak management.
MedlinePlus.Gastroenteritis (stomach flu).
2021;21(2):177-180. doi:10.31486/toj.20.0086
MedlinePlus.Dehydration.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to prevent norovirus.
National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Managing acute gastroenteritis among children.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of food poisoning.
