A 24-hour stomach bug is a viral infection that causes diarrhea and vomiting. Most cases are easily treatable and resolve in one to three days. Sometimes called the "stomach flu," the 24-hour stomach bug is a type of gastroenteritis caused by a contagious infection like norovirus.
People usually develop symptoms 12–48 hours after exposure to the virus. Many people only experience these symptoms for 24 hours, but it is not uncommon for 24-hour stomach bugs to last longer than 1 day. In adults, a case of viral gastroenteritis typically lasts 1–3 days.
How long are people contagious? People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery.
What are the symptoms of the 24-hour flu? Symptoms usually appear within four to 48 hours after coming in contact with the virus or eating contaminated foods. They can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, cramps, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes fever, says Dr. Bellos.
A 24-hour stomach bug is a viral infection that causes diarrhea and vomiting. Most cases are easily treatable and resolve in one to three days. Sometimes called the "stomach flu," the 24-hour stomach bug is a type of gastroenteritis caused by a contagious infection like norovirus.
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.
Prevention
All of the viruses that cause the stomach bug are highly contagious. Once one person in a daycare, school or office catches it, it's not unusual to see many others also get sick. If your child is healthy and not sick, the most important thing to do is to keep him/her that way.
If you're anywhere near the splash zone — even just kneeling next to them, without any of the vomit getting on you — virus-laden vomit particles can travel through the air and enter the mucous membranes of your nose or mouth as you breathe.
Stomach viruses are highly contagious. You can spread them before symptoms begin and for up to two weeks after you recover. It's advisable to stay home for 24 to 48 hours after your vomiting, diarrhea, and fever have gone away to make sure you're symptom-free.
Schedule a doctor's visit
Make an appointment with your doctor if: Vomiting lasts more than two days for adults, 24 hours for children under age 2 or 12 hours for infants. You've had bouts of nausea and vomiting for longer than one month.
Symptoms include sudden onset of nausea, projectile vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. The incubation period of norovirus is 12-48 hours, which is the time between catching the virus and developing symptoms.
Gastroenteritis (gastro) can be caused by many viruses and results in vomiting and diarrhoea. The viruses can easily spread from person to person. It is important to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water to prevent the spread of gastro.
Nausea, vomiting or both. Stomach cramps and pain. Occasional muscle aches or headache. Low-grade fever.
Commonly referred to as “a stomach bug” or “the stomach flu,” gastroenteritis is an infection that occurs when the stomach and intestines become irritated and inflamed. (It's important to distinguish the stomach flu from influenza, which affects the respiratory system.)
The initial stages start with chills, fever, and nausea, which transition into vomiting, diarrhea, and aches and pains. It's awful, and there is no cure. Stomach flu has to run its course. The sickness usually passes in about 10 days without medication.
However, the key distinction is time: The symptoms of a stomach bug will take 12 to 48 hours to develop, while the symptoms of food poisoning typically develop much faster, usually with 6 hours of consuming an infected dish. Another common difference between the two is the length of illness.
If you feel like you're going to throw up, sleep on your side with your head elevated. Sleeping on your side with your head raised can ease symptoms and keep you from choking on your vomit, if you're unable to make it to the bathroom in time.
Also referred to as the stomach flu, a stomach bug usually lasts only a day or two. However, some cases may last up to two weeks, which is why it's important to know as much as possible about this infection in case you or someone you know contracts it.
Living with a stomach virus
Stomach viruses are often mild and go away on their own in 1 to 3 days. Babies, older adults, or people who have low immune systems should see the doctor right away. This can help prevent their infection from getting worse.
The CDC recommends bleach to kill the stomach bug-causing norovirus on surfaces. But if that will damage your counter or you'd rather not use it, look for “phenolic solution” on the label of a concentrated disinfectant. To kill the germs, the EPA suggests you use 2 to 4 times the recommended amount.