Stomach Flu Symptoms

Stomach flu is another name for viral gastroenteritis, which refers to the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract caused by viral infections. Viral gastroenteritis may affect both stomach and the intestine. It mainly damages the internal lining of the stomach and the intestine, and some signs may manifest in the form of diarrhea. Though commonly called stomach flu, viral gastroenteritis is not caused by the influenza virus. Apart from viral infections, gastroenteritis can be caused by bacterial infection, excessive intake of certain medications like, antibiotics and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and food-borne illnesses. Intestinal bacterial infection is mainly caused by Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium, Escherichia coli, Yersinia, Vibrio cholerae, etc.

Stomach Flu Causes

It is primarily caused by five types of viruses, rotavirus, adenovirus, astrovirus, norovirus and calicivirus. Out of these, calicivirus can cause intestinal infection in people of any age group, while rotavirus is the most important cause of stomach flu in infants, especially those in the age group of 3 to 15 months. In general, children under the age 5 years can get infected by this virus. Adenovirus can also be an important cause of gastroenteritis in children under the age of 2 years. In adults, it is more commonly caused by norovirus, while astrovirus mainly affects the elderly and the children. People usually contract this viral infection by eating or drinking contaminated food and water. Consumption of raw or undercooked foods can cause gastroenteritis.

Signs of Stomach Flu

The symptoms can be mild or severe, and they usually appear within 1 to 3 days following the infection. The symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are more or less similar in both adults and children. These symptoms can last for about 1 to 10 days. The most common symptoms of this condition are:

• Watery diarrhea
• Low-grade fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Bloating
• Loss of appetite
• Headaches
• Weakness and fatigue
• Lethargy

If the gastroenteritis is not treated on time, then it can worsen and manifest into some serious symptoms. For example, diarrhea and vomiting can cause loss of bodily fluid, which can result in dehydration. Dehydration can cause increased thirst, sunken eyes, dry mouth, decreased urine output and light-headedness. In addition to these, some other serious symptoms are:

• Persistent vomiting
• Presence of blood in stool and vomit
• High grade fever
• Abdominal swelling

The symptoms of stomach virus that are more commonly observed in children are:

• Diarrhea
• Low-grade fever with chills
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Loss of appetite or poor feeding
• Pale or cold and clammy skin
• Sunken eyeballs
• Sunken fontanelle in infants

Stomach Flu Treatment

Gastroenteritis caused by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, but antibiotics are ineffective for viral gastroenteritis. There is no specific treatment plan for this condition. Certain medications are available that can control symptoms like, diarrhea and vomiting. To prevent dehydration, drinking plenty of fluids and electrolyte solution is recommended. Children affected by this condition should be given oral rehydration solution. During an episode, certain foods like, dairy products, sugary foods, caffeine, alcohol and fatty and greasy foods need to be avoided. Bland and easily digestible foods such as, rice, bananas, potatoes and toast can be consumed during this period.

If the symptoms persist for more than one or two days, then it is important to seek medical attention. To prevent this condition in the future, it is essential to practice good personal hygiene. Washing the hands with soap and water before meals, and after visiting the toilet is of immense importance to avoid infections. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also be used for disinfecting the hands. Similarly, sharing foods and utensils with others, and eating undercooked foods, especially meat and fish should be avoided. If caused by rotavirus, this condition can be prevented to a great extent with vaccinations.