Typically, it takes a few days after exposure for symptoms to appear. However, this can depend on the specific virus. A case of the stomach flu typically resolves in less than a week. Infections in those with higher risk may last longer.
Stomach flu is a viral infection of your intestines. The medical name for stomach flu is viral gastroenteritis. Common symptoms include: loose, watery diarrhea. abdominal cramping. nausea. vomiting. Contrary to its name, the stomach flu isn’t caused by the same virus that causes the flu. In fact, there are several different types ...
The bottom line. The more accurate term for the stomach flu is viral gastroenteritis because it’s not related to the influenza viruses that cause the respiratory illnesses we see in fall and winter. There are several types of viruses that can cause viral gastroenteritis. The most common of these is norovirus.
Although the stomach flu usually improves with self-care, it’s important to get medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms: signs of severe dehydration, such as extreme thirst, passing small amounts of urine, and dizziness. bloody diarrhea.
Some examples of this include: cruise ships. restaurants, buffets, or banquets. care facilities like daycare centers and nursing homes. college campuses.
However, the virus can still be present in your stool for weeks after recovery.
However, this infection is considered to be a less common cause. Astroviruses. Astroviruses also cause gastroenteritis main ly in children. While anyone can get stomach flu, some people are at a higher risk of developing severe illness. Those at a higher risk include: infants and young children. older adults.
Therefore, they are still transmissible from a person for several days after the symptoms pass. These viruses can also live on surfaces for several days to weeks.
Stomach flu in children. Rotavirus and adenovirus are both common causes of stomach flu in young children. Rotavirus can last for about 3–8 days, and adenovirus can last for about 5–7 days. Young children who are sick are most at risk of developing dehydration.
The stomach flu causes inflammation, irritation, and swelling in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In most cases, it is relatively short lived and does not require treatment. Several viral infections can be responsible for viral gastroenteritis, including: Norovirus: This virus is the most common cause in adults.
Norovirus: This virus is the most common cause in adults. Rotavirus: This type of infection tends to affect infants aged 3–15 months. Adenovirus: Adenoviruses affect children under 2 years of age. Despite its name, none of the viruses that cause the stomach flu are related to influenza.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)#N#Trusted Source#N#, norovirus is the most common cause of stomach flu, causing 19–21 million cases in the United States each year.
They also note that once a person has had exposure to adenovirus, they may experience symptoms within 2 days to 2 weeks. In addition to GI symptoms, adenovirus can cause upper and lower respiratory symptoms, as well as neurological and eye disorders.
For most children and adults, the virus will run its course within a few days and will not require any special medical attention. However, a person should look out for symptoms that might indicate a more serious issue. Parents and caregivers of infants and young children should watch for signs of dehydration.
How long am I contagious if I have the stomach flu? You can be contagious from a few days up to two weeks or more, depending on which virus is causing your stomach flu (gastroenteritis). A number of viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including noroviruses and rotaviruses. The contagious period — the time during which a sick person can give ...
But you're contagious even before you develop symptoms, and up to two weeks after you've recovered. The viruses that cause gastroenteritis are spread through close contact with infected people, such as by sharing food or eating utensils, and by touching contaminated surfaces and objects.
The contagious period — the time during which a sick person can give the illness to others — differs slightly for each virus. Norovirus. With norovirus — the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in adults — you're contagious when you begin to feel ill.
To help keep others from getting sick, disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after someone vomits or has diarrhea. Wear disposable gloves, and use a bleach-based household cleanser or 2 cups (0.5 liters) of bleach in a gallon (3.8 liters) of water.
The virus can remain in your stool for up to two weeks or more after recovery.
Children should stay home from school or child care for at least 48 hours after the last time they vomit or have diarrhea. Rotavirus. Symptoms of rotavirus — the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis in infants and young children — usually appear one to three days after exposure.
Yes: Norovirus, which causes outbreaks of stomach flu on cruise ships and in nursing homes, also affects many people in other settings. Studies have shown that on dry surfaces, without food residue, vomit residue, etc..., the viruses are dead after about 30 days (can be sooner) without disinfectant. Norovirus spreads easily because a very small number surviving virus particles can infect a person.
Depends: Norovirus is the most common viral cause of "stomach flu " or gastroenteritis. Exposure can result in illness within 24 hours. Other causes of gastroenteritis like bacteria can take several days. Handwashing and food safety can help prevent spread of illnesses like these. Thanks for trusting HealthTap!
To better predict how long the flu will last, take steps to reduce your risk of contracting the virus and experiencing severe symptoms. Consider the following steps, as suggested in the Harvard Special Report A Guide to Women's Health: Fifty and Forward. Get an annual flu vaccine. Wash your hands with soap and water before eating ...
Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days. For people who've had a flu shot, the symptoms may last a shorter amount of time, or be less severe. For other people, the symptoms may last longer. Even when symptoms resolve, you may continue to feel fatigued.
Take pain relievers to lower your fever and relieve the aches, such as: If you are at high risk of complications, and if it is early in the infection, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug for treating flu, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu, generic versions).
Some people are at increased risk for complications from influenza. These people include: 1 the very young 2 people 65 or older 3 people with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, HIV, or diabetes 4 pregnant women 5 people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
Smokers are more likely to get the flu than nonsmokers. These steps won't guarantee that you'll escape the flu this year, but they may help prevent it. And they may help reduce the amount of time the flu lasts if you do become infected with the virus. – By Heidi Godman. Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter.
Two of the most common causes of "stomach flu" – norovirus and rotavirus – can be spread for up to 2 weeks after you have recovered.
Increasing your intake of water by a small amount will ensure that your body can handle it without repeated bouts of vomiting. 2 . Treating your symptoms properly when you have a stomach virus is essential to recovering quickly. Once you are symptom-free for a full 24 to 48 hours, you can return to work or school.
Stomach viruses – commonly (though incorrectly) called " stomach flu " – make us miserable. No one wants to spend days dealing with vomiting and diarrhea. If you add in a fever, nausea, and weakness on top of that, it adds up to misery. Not many people consider leaving the house when the stomach flu hits.
A Word From Verywell. Remembering to wash your hands very frequently, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before and after eating is the most effective way to decrease the chances that you catch or spread a stomach virus.
It can be tempting to send your child to school if they went all night without vomiting or having diarrhea, but waiting a full 24 hours after the last episode occurred is important because the symptoms could return. If you make it a full day and night with no symptoms, it is unlikely that they will reappear after that.
In general, you need to stay home or keep your kids home for 24 hours to 48 hours after the symptoms of the illness subside. This includes vomiting and diarrhea. And don't forget the fever. 1
Many people unknowingly prolong their illness and symptoms because they treat them incorrectly. You should not eat or drink immediately after vomiting. Allowing your stomach time to rest after it has expelled everything in it is important.
Often: If you are in contact with many people on a daily basis for work or school then it is not uncommon to get a "stomach flu" several times a year. The pe ... Read More
Your Immune System: Most stomach illness are caused by viruses that your body's immune system will fight off. The "out of your" system philosophy may come from advice by ... Read More