Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that includes signs and symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever.
Your doctor will likely diagnose viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) based on symptoms, a physical exam and sometimes on the presence of similar cases in your community. A rapid stool test can detect rotavirus or norovirus, but there are no quick tests for other viruses that cause gastroenteritis.
Gastroenteritis is a short-term illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Symptoms can include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting. Some of the causes of gastroenteritis include viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxins, parasites, particular chemicals and some drugs.
Gastroenteritis symptoms usually last for 1 to 2 days, but occasionally they may persist for as long as 10 days. CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the diarrhoea and vomiting Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
Vomiting persists more than two days. Diarrhea persists more than several days. Diarrhea turns bloody. Fever is more than 102 F (39 C) or higher.
Signs and symptoms of gastro
feel unwell, and not want to eat or drink. vomit in the first 24 to 48 hours (usually before diarrhoea begins)
Overview. Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that includes signs and symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever.
Crampy pains in your tummy (abdomen) are common. Pains may ease for a while each time you pass some diarrhoea. A high temperature (fever), headache and aching limbs sometimes occur.
drinks with caffeine, such as coffee and tea, and some soft drinks. foods that are high in fat, such as fried foods, pizza, and fast foods. foods and drinks containing large amounts of simple sugars, such as sweetened beverages and some fruit juices. milk and milk products, which contain the sugar lactose.
Abdominal pain is pain felt anywhere from below your ribs to your pelvis. It is also known as tummy pain or stomach pain. The abdomen houses many organs, including your stomach, liver, pancreas, small and large bowel, and reproductive organs. There are also major blood vessels in the abdomen.
Most individuals with gastroenteritis will experience both diarrhea and vomiting, but some experience only one of these symptoms. Diarrhea is often very watery (type 7 on the Bristol stool chart), and can be bloody if the source of gastroenteritis is bacterial.
Bacillus species - No antibiotics are necessary for self-limited gastroenteritis, but vancomycin and clindamycin are first-line drugs for severe disease.
Co-trimoxazole and metronidazole are first-line drugs 52. The latter is effective for bacterial agents, including Cd, as well as against Giardia lamblia—all agents implicated in prolonged diarrhea.
Self-help for gastroenteritis. Most people with gastroenteritis get better at home after a few days and don't need any specific treatment. Stay at home and rest until you feel better. You shouldn't go into work or mix with others for at least 48 hours after your diarrhoea and sickness have stopped.
Food poisoning refers to gastroenteritis caused by eating food containing pathogens. This can have a viral cause, such as norovirus for example, which is when it is referred to as “stomach flu.” However, this is not what people think of as the “flu,” which is the influenza virus.
Clear liquids include: water, herbal tea, broth, Gatorade (or other non-caffeinated sports drinks), soda (7-Up, Sprite, Sierra Mist or other clear soda or ginger ale) that has been stirred to reduce the carbonation. Jell-O or Popsicles are acceptable if tolerated, but avoid orange or red colored choices.
“It's resistant to many common disinfectants,” Hall said. CDC recommends using bleach to kill it, including chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. That's why health departments often require restaurants to use bleach to clean countertops and kitchen surfaces. It's also able to survive being dried out.
When you have gastroenteritis, your body eliminates large quantities of water and mineral salts that are essential to your body's proper functioning. It is important to drink plenty of fluids and replenish mineral salts to prevent dehydration.
One widely known dietary recommendation when recovering from gastroenteritis is the BRAT diet. This stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. These bland foods and are meant to be gentle on the gut, which is important when a person is recovering from gastroenteritis.
Why does stomach flu hit at night? In some people, the stomach flu symptoms may be more pronounced at night due to their circadian rhythm. At night an increase in immune system activity releases infection-fighting chemicals. These can cause inflammation that make you feel worse as you battle your flu.
Symptoms usually begin 1 or 2 days after ingesting the virus, but may appear as early as 12 hours after exposure. The illness typically comes on suddenly. The infected person may feel very sick and vomit often, sometimes without warning, many times a day.