Watery, usually nonbloody diarrhea — bloody diarrhea usually means you have a different, more severe infection. Nausea, vomiting or both. Stomach cramps and pain. Occasional muscle aches or headache.
Stomach flu causes gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramps and nausea. You might also call it a “stomach bug.” A stomach bug isn't always a virus — sometimes it's bacteria or a parasite — but in any case, the symptoms are similar. You might not be able to tell if your bug is a virus or not.
Tests of stool samples may be used to identify the virus that is causing the sickness. Most of the time, this test is not needed. A stool culture may be done to find out if the problem is being caused by bacteria.
Stomach bugs, also called gastroenteritis, are very common in young children and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes a fever. Gastroenteritis typically lasts in the neighborhood of three to seven days, but sometimes it can be shorter and, unfortunately, sometimes it lasts longer.
Stomach pain is the most well-known clue of appendicitis. It is also a familiar clue of a stomach virus. Both conditions can have similar symptoms making them very difficult to tell apart without a professional medical evaluation.
Food poisoning doesn't just come on faster than the stomach flu — it also runs its course more quickly. Dr. Ford says viral gastroenteritis generally lingers for two days, although sometimes, it can last longer. In contrast, food poisoning “hopefully is going to be out of your system sooner than that,” Dr.
You may start eating soft bland foods when you have not vomited for several hours and are able to drink clear liquids without further upset. Soda crackers, toast, plain noodles, gelatin, eggs, applesauce, and bananas are good first choices.
Key points about gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis is sometimes treated with antibiotics. If severe cases are not treated, they can lead to severe dehydration, neurological problems, kidney failure, and even death. Good hygiene is the best way to prevent bacterial gastroenteritis.
Seek care right away
In most cases, viral gastroenteritis is not harmful. However, viral gastroenteritis can become dangerous if it leads to dehydration. Anyone with signs or symptoms of dehydration should see a doctor right away. A person with severe dehydration may need treatment at a hospital.
Do I have a stomach virus or food poisoning? A stomach virus, sometimes called stomach flu, refers to a viral infection of the digestive tract. Food poisoning is a bacterial infection that enters the body in food. Both can cause abdominal symptoms.
People who may have a stomach virus but are not experiencing vomiting or diarrhea may get better on their own without treatment. It is still advisable to stay hydrated during this time. However, a person should talk with a doctor if they develop any of the following symptoms: severe pain.
Watery, usually nonbloody diarrhea — bloody diarrhea usually means you have a different, more severe infection. Nausea, vomiting or both. Stomach cramps and pain. Occasional muscle aches or headache.
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are less common symptoms of COVID-19. Still, when they do occur, they tend to be some of the first symptoms you will experience. Diarrhea caused by COVID-19 tends to be more watery, yellow or green in color. It may be accompanied by cramping and bloating.
Take care to avoid caffeinated sodas, since caffeine can make your upset stomach worse. The carbonation from sodas inflates the stomach while increasing its internal pressure. Combining higher pressure and caffeine's effects makes acid reflux more likely.
An Overview of the 24-Hour Stomach Flu. 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 ...
Yes, viral gastroenteritis is contagious. It is spread through close contact with infected persons (for example, by sharing food, water, or eating utensils) or by touching surfaces contaminated by an infected person and then touching one's mouth.
People feel sick all of a sudden, usually a few hours after eating contaminated food. Also, bloody diarrhea is more common with bacteria and food poisoning. On the other hand, symptoms from gastroenteritis usually develop a little more slowly. The illness might gradually get worse over a day or so.
The most common symptoms of food poisoning are: Diarrhea. Stomach pain or cramps. Nausea.
Most of the time, diarrhea is simply your gut's way of getting rid of a harmful invader, like a bacteria or virus.
In most cases, people with viral gastroenteritis get better on their own without medical treatment. You can treat viral gastroenteritis by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. In some cases, over-the-counter medicines may help relieve your symptoms.
Stomach flu does not last very long in children or adults. It typically clears up within 2–8 days, depending on the virus that causes it. There are no formal treatments, but rest, fluids, and easy-to-digest foods can help ease the symptoms.