Viral Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) What is viral gastroenteritis? fever Gastroenteritis (say: GAS-tro-enter-EYE-tis) is the inflammation of the stomach and small and stomach cramps or a sore stomach large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis means the inflammation is caused by infection with a virus. In general, the symptoms begin 1 to 2 days after It often causes vomiting (throwing up) or catching the virus. They can last for 1 to 10 diarrhea. days. Viral gastroenteritis is often called "stomach Viral gastroenteritis can be spread flu," but it is not caused by flu (influenza) Viral gastroenteritis can spread through the viruses. Viral gastroenteritis can be caused by following methods: many different viruses, including Rotaviruses, sharing food, water, or eating utensils such as Torovirus, Adenoviruses, Caliciviruses, forks and knives with someone who has the Astroviruses, and a group of Norwalk-like virus viruses. not washing hands after touching items that Viral gastroenteritis is NOT caused by any of may have the virus on their surface the following, although the symptoms may be similar: Anyone can catch viral gastroenteritis bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli People of all ages and backgrounds can get viral parasites such as Giardia gastroenteritis. However, different groups often get different viruses: medications Babies and toddlers tend to get Rotaviruses other medical conditions and Torovirus more often. Diarrhea and vomiting are the main Adenoviruses and Astroviruses tend to cause symptoms of viral gastroenteritis diarrhea mostly in young children. The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are: Norwalk-like viruses are more likely to cause diarrhea diarrhea in older children and adults. vomiting Treating viral gastroenteritis The most important way of treating viral A child with viral gastroenteritis may also have: gastroenteritis in children and adults is to headache prevent dehydration. Dehydration means severe loss of fluids. Ask your doctor how to prevent the hospital, fluids can be replaced through an dehydration if your child has the symptoms. intravenous line (IV) if necessary. Symptoms of dehydration include: You can prevent viral gastroenteritis with dry or sticky mouth good hand washing thirst To avoid catching or spreading viral gastroenteritis, you should do the following low or no urine output; concentrated urine things: appears dark yellow Wash hands well and often. This is especially important at hospitals and other medical not producing tears facilities. being irritable or cranky Do not visit anyone in hospital when you are ill with symptoms of viral gastroenteritis. seeming bored or uninterested Ask other family members and friends to do the same. headache If your child is in hospital, help stop viral dizziness gastroenteritis from spreading Your child may be placed in a single room cramps and will not be able to visit the playroom chills until they are feeling better. Ask the Child Life Specialist to bring toys and supplies to fatigue your child's room. In severe cases, dehydration can cause: Wash your hands often before and after sunken eyes touching your child and before leaving your child's room. Expect hand washing by sunken fontanelle (soft spot) on the top of a hospital staff as well. baby's head If you or anyone else who has visited nausea or vomiting becomes ill with symptoms of viral gastroenteritis, let your child's doctor or nurse lethargy or coma know. If your child becomes very dehydrated, your If your child has symptoms of viral child may have to be treated at the hospital. In gastroenteritis and they are in the hospital, all 2 staff caring for your child should wear gloves symptoms may need to stay in the hospital for and a gown. treatment to correct or prevent dehydration. Viral gastroenteritis is rarely a serious Key points illness Viral gastroenteritis is an infection of the For most people, viral gastroenteritis is not a stomach and intestines. serious illness. People who get viral gastroenteritis almost always recover completely The main symptoms include diarrhea and without any long-term problems. How fast a vomiting. child recovers from viral gastroenteritis partly Diarrhea and vomiting can cause a loss of depends on which virus is causing the illness. fluids, also called dehydration. Viral gastroenteritis can be a serious illness in If dehydration is severe, patients may have to people who are unable to drink enough fluids to be given fluid intravenously (IV) at the replace what they lose through vomiting or hospital. diarrhea. Babies, young children, and people who are unable to care for themselves, such as Viral gastroenteritis can spread by sharing the disabled or elderly, are at risk for food, water, and utensils. Frequent hand dehydration from losing too much of the body's washing can help prevent the spread of water. infection to others. People with immune system problems are at risk Viral gastroenteritis is usually not a serious for dehydration because they may get more illness. However, people who have weak severe symptoms than healthy people, and have immune systems are at risk for more serious more vomiting and diarrhea. People with severe infection. 3.