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Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation, swelling, and irritation of the inside lining of your gastrointestinal tract. A virus causes this illness. It can infect your stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

Viral gastroenteritis is very common. In most cases, it lasts only a few days and doesn’t require treatment. The biggest danger is dehydration from loss of fluid due to diarrhea and vomiting.

Several viruses can cause gastroenteritis. Viruses can be found in the vomit and the diarrhea of infected people. It can live for a long time outside the body. People who are infected can spread the virus to objects they touch, especially if they don’t wash their hands after using the bathroom. Food workers with the infection can spread it to others through food and beverages. Sewage that gets into the water supply can also spread the illness. Although viral gastroenteritis is sometimes called "stomach flu," the seasonal influenza (flu) virus does not cause it.

Some of the common viruses that cause gastroenteritis include:

• Rotavirus. This virus most commonly infects infants age 3 to 15 months. The illness lasts for 3 to 7 days and is most common in fall and winter.
• Norovirus. This virus is the most common cause of adult infections, and it’s usually responsible for outbreaks on cruise ships. Symptoms last from 1 to 3 days and can occur any time of the year.
• Adenovirus. This virus occurs year-round and affects children age 2 and younger. Symptoms last from 5 to 12 days.

Many other viruses can also cause viral gastroenteritis.

Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis usually begin about 1 to 2 days after the virus gets into the body.

Common symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Watery diarrhea

 Other possible symptoms are:

• Headache
• Fever
• Chills
• Stomachache

Signs of dehydration:

• Decreased urine output
• Dark-colored urine
• Dry skin
• Thirst
• Dizziness

Signs of dehydration in young children:

• Dry diapers (from a lack of urination)
• Lack of tears
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Sunken fontanel (the soft spot on the top of an infant’s head)

Your healthcare provider will most likely diagnose your condition based on your history and symptoms. You will rarely need testing. If your symptoms persist, your healthcare provider may ask for a stool sample to look for viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

Vaccines are available to protect children from rotavirus. Healthcare providers give shots to babies before age 6 months. You and your children can help prevent viral gastroenteritis by taking these steps:

• Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water after going to the bathroom, after changing a diaper, and before touching any food.
• Use alcohol-based sanitizers.
• If someone in the house has gastroenteritis, wash all surfaces that might be contaminated with a bleach-based cleaner.
• Don't eat or drink any food or water with warnings of contamination.

Specific treatment is usually not needed. In most cases, you simply need to drink plenty of fluids and rest at home until the virus leaves your system. In rare cases, you may need treatment for severe dehydration with IV (intravenous) fluids.

Helpful home care tips include:

• Drink plenty of light fluids like water, ice chips, fruit juice, and broth. Keep in mind that sports drinks are high in sugar and are not appropriate if you are extremely dehydrated. In this case, you will need an oral rehydration solution.
• Don't have drinks that contain milk, caffeine, or alcohol.
• Once you feel hungry again, start with mild, easy to digest foods.
• Rehydrate children with oral rehydration solutions.
• You may take antidiarrheal medicines for a couple days. But don't take these if you have a fever or bloody stool. Don't take them if you are an elderly adult. Don't give these to a child.

Viral gastroenteritis is common in children and adults. In most cases, the disease is not serious and will run its course in a few days. Call your healthcare provider if you or a family member has vomiting or diarrhea that’s not getting better, if you see blood or tar-like stool, or if you have any signs of dehydration.

Key points about viral gastroenteritis

• Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the inside lining of your gastrointestinal tract.
• It can be caused by rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, and other viruses.
• Babies can be vaccinated against rotavirus.
• Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhea.
• Dehydration is the most serious complication of this illness.
• This illness should run its course in a few days. But it may need medical attention if diarrhea or vomiting persists or if there are signs of dehydration.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

Medical Reviewer: Jen Lehrer MD

Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD

Medical Reviewer: Raymond Kent Turley BSN MSN RN

© 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

Stomach flu is a viral infection that affects the stomach and small intestine. It is also called viral gastroenteritis. The illness is usually brief, lasting 1 to 3 days.

Many different viruses can cause stomach flu, including rotaviruses, adenoviruses, and the Norwalk virus. The body fluids of infected people contain the virus, sometimes even before their symptoms begin. The virus can be spread by direct contact with an infected person. For example, you might get it by kissing or shaking hands or by sharing food, drink, or eating utensils.

The virus inflames the stomach and intestine. When the stomach and intestine are inflamed, they don't work as well as they should. Food may move faster through your digestive tract.

What are the symptoms?

When you have stomach flu, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:

• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach cramps
• diarrhea
• mild fever
• tiredness
• chills
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches

The illness may develop over a period of hours, or it may suddenly start with stomach cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Some bacteria, parasites, medicines, or other medical conditions can cause similar symptoms. If your symptoms are unusually severe or last longer than a few days, your healthcare provider can determine if the diarrhea is caused by something other than a virus.

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms. He or she will examine you. You may have lab tests to rule out more serious illnesses and to check for problems that can be caused by stomach flu, such as dehydration.

How is it treated?

The most important thing to do is to rest the stomach and intestine. You can do this by not eating solid food for a while and drinking only clear liquids. As your symptoms go away, you can start eating soft bland foods that are easy to digest.

If you have been vomiting a lot, it is best to have only small, frequent sips of liquids. Drinking too much at once, even an ounce or two, may cause more vomiting.

Your choice of liquids is important. If water is the only liquid you can drink without vomiting, that is OK. However, if you have been vomiting often or for a long time, you must replace the minerals, sodium and potassium, that are lost when you vomit. Ask your healthcare provider what sport drinks or other rehydration drinks could help you replace these minerals.

Other clear liquids you can drink are weak tea and apple juice. You may also drink soft drinks without caffeine (such as 7-UP) after letting them go flat (lose their carbonation). It may be easier to keep down liquids that are cold. Avoid liquids that are acidic (such as orange juice) or caffeinated (such as coffee) or have a lot of carbonation. Do not drink milk until you no longer have diarrhea.

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. Avoid foods that are acidic, spicy, fatty, or fibrous (such as meats, coarse grains, vegetables). Also avoid dairy products. You may start eating these foods again in 3 days or so, when all signs of illness have passed.

Sometimes treatment includes prescription medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting or diarrhea.

Nonprescription medicine is available for the treatment of diarrhea and can be very effective. If you use it, make sure you use only the dose recommended on the package. If you have chronic health problems, always check with your healthcare provider before you use any medicine for diarrhea.

How long do the effects last?

Stomach flu rarely lasts longer than 1 to 3 days. However, it may be 1 to 2 weeks before your bowel habits are completely back to normal.

Dehydration is a potentially serious complication of stomach flu. It can happen if your body loses too much fluid because you keep vomiting or having diarrhea. If you are severely dehydrated, you may need to be given fluids intravenously (IV). In children and older adults, dehydration can quickly become life threatening.

How can I take care of myself?

• Rest your stomach and intestines by following the suggested guidelines for your diet during the illness, but make sure you prevent dehydration by drinking enough liquids. Drink just small amounts or sips while you are having vomiting.
• Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDS) without checking first with your healthcare provider.
• Call your healthcare provider if:
  • Your symptoms are getting worse.
  • You keep having severe symptoms (vomiting or frequent diarrhea) for more than 1 or 2 days, or you are just not getting better after a few days.
  • You start having symptoms that are not usually caused by stomach flu, such as blood in your vomit, bloody diarrhea, or severe abdominal pain.

What can I do to help prevent stomach flu?

The single, most helpful way to prevent the spread of stomach flu is frequent, thorough hand washing. Also, avoid contact with the body fluids of an infected person, including saliva. Don't share food with someone who has stomach flu.

Developed by RelayHealth. Published by RelayHealth. This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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