Gastroenteritis
(Viral Gastroenteritis, "Stomach Flu")
What is viral gastroenteritis?
Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and
small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a
variety of viruses that results in vomiting or diarrhea or both. It is often called the "stomach flu," although it is not
caused by the influenza viruses.
What causes viral gastroenteritis?
Many different viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses, type 40 or 41, sapoviruses, and astroviruses. Viral gastroenteritis is not caused by bacteria (such as
Salmonella or
Escherichia coli) or parasites (such as
Giardia), or by medications or other medical conditions, although the symptoms may be similar. Your doctor can determine if the diarrhea is caused by a virus or by something else.
What are the symptoms of viral gastroenteritis?
The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery
diarrhea and vomiting although one or the other
symptom may predominate. The affected person may also have headache, fever, and
abdominal cramps ("stomach ache"). In general, the
symptoms begin
1 to 2 days following infection with a virus that causes gastroenteritis and
may last for 1 to 10 days, depending on which virus causes the illness;
however, most episodes last from 1-3 days.
Next: Is gastroenteritis a serious illness? »
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Last Editorial Review: 1/8/2007
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