What is a stomach virus?Gastroenteritis is a medical term for a stomach virus. Many people call it the stomach flu. It is not the same as influenza. That is a respiratory illness. This is an inflammation of your stomach lining. A stomach virus can strike anyone at any age. It can be harmful for babies, older people, and anyone with a low immune system who may develop complications. These viruses are usually mild and go away on their own. Severe cases of the stomach virus can lead to other health problems or death. Show
Symptoms of a stomach virusCommon symptoms include:
What causes a stomach virus?Several things can cause a stomach virus:
Viral stomach infections are contagious. It is easy to get and give a stomach virus. It is spread by contact with an infected person, surface, or object. Stomach viruses are likely to spread at places with a lot of people. This includes schools, daycares, nursing homes, airplanes, cruise ships, and hospitals. Stomach viruses are common in cold weather months. How is a stomach virus diagnosed?Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms. Your doctor may ask you to provide a stool sample. This is to rule out other health problems. Can a stomach virus be prevented or avoided?A flu shot will not prevent a stomach virus. The flu shot only prevent the influenza virus. That is a respiratory illness. The norovirus can change over time. Therefore, vaccines are still being studied. A rotavirus vaccine is available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children get a rotavirus vaccine. Two different vaccines exist. They require 2 to 3 doses. Children should receive the full vaccine prior to 8 months of age. You can help prevent or avoid a stomach virus by doing these things:
If you have stomach virus, be responsible. Do not expose others to it. This includes babies, older people, and people with a low immune system. Do not go to school, work, or public places. Stomach virus treatmentThere is no medicine that can treat a stomach virus. It has to run its course. You can do things to ease symptoms:
Vomiting, diarrhea, and not eating or drinking causes dehydration. If you are dehydrated, you may need to go to the hospital for IV fluids. A saline solution will be injected into your veins to replace your fluids. Signs you are dehydrated include:
Water or sports drinks with vitamins and nutrients are helpful. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Stay home and get plenty of rest. Adults can take over-the-counter medicine, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help reduce fever and pain. Contact your doctor if your symptoms persist or get worse. Severe symptoms include seizures. Living with a stomach virusStomach 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. Questions to ask your doctor
Norovirus, also called the "winter vomiting bug", is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about 2 days. The main symptoms of norovirus are: You may also have: The symptoms start suddenly within 1 to 2 days of being infected. You can usually treat yourself or your child at
home. The most important thing is to rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. You will usually start to feel better in 2 to 3 days. Find out how to treat diarrhoea and vomiting in children and adults Stay off school or work until you have not been
sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days. This is when you're most infectious. Do not visit hospitals or care homes during this time. Norovirus can spread very easily. You can catch norovirus from: Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111. Other ways to get helpA GP may be able to help you. Ask a GP surgery for an urgent appointment. Check with the GP surgery before going in. A GP may speak to you on the phone.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child:
Find your nearest A&E What we mean by severe painSevere pain:
Moderate pain:
Mild pain:
Page last reviewed: 17 June 2021 Can you catch a stomach bug from being near someone?You can catch norovirus from: close contact with someone with norovirus. touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth. eating food that's been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus.
How long does it take to catch a stomach bug from someone?After initial (first) exposure, a person will usually get the stomach flu within 12-48 hours. The stomach flu is diagnosed based mostly on symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, abdominal cramps, and no fever or a low-grade fever.
Can you catch the stomach flu from the air?It only takes 18 to 100 microscopic virus particles to infect someone. When people vomit, viral particles can travel through the air, so you can inhale it, too. I would imagine that toilets with a more violent flushing mechanism (think: airplane lavatory) would also send viral particles flying.
How easy is it to catch a tummy bug?The bugs that cause gastroenteritis can spread very easily from person to person. You can catch the infection if small particles of vomit or poo from an infected person get into your mouth, such as through: close contact with someone with gastroenteritis – they may breathe out small particles of vomit.
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How can you catch the stomach bug
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