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.
Symptoms of a stomach virus
Common symptoms include:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Headache and body aches
What causes a stomach virus?
Several things can cause a stomach virus:
- Norovirus: This is the main cause. This represents a family of viruses.
- Rotavirus: This is a viral infection. This is common in babies and young kids.
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:
- Wash your hands often.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects in your home, office, and classroom.
- Use hand sanitizer after being in public.
- Separate the laundry of a sick person from the rest of the family.
- Stay away from people who have the virus.
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 treatment
There is no medicine that can treat a stomach virus. It has to run its course. You can do things to ease symptoms:
- Eat bland foods.
- Drink clear, fizzy drinks (ginger ale is best).
- Stay hydrated.
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:
- Dark, yellow urine
- Increased thirst
- Feeling dizzy or fainting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- Lack of energy
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Babies will be fussy and cry (they will not have tears if they are dehydrated)
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 virus
Stomach 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
- How do I know if the virus is the norovirus or rotavirus?
- Can I get the virus more than once a season?
- What should I do if I am pregnant and have a stomach virus?
- Are there serious complications to a norovirus or rotavirus?
- Is there any medicine I can take to help with abdominal cramps?
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.Check if you have norovirus
How to treat norovirus yourself
School, nursery or work
How norovirus is spread
Urgent advice: Get advice from 111 now if:
- you're worried about a baby under 12 months
- your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they're ill
- a child under 5 years has signs of dehydration – such as fewer wet nappies
- you or your child (over 5 years) still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets
- you or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down
- you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom
- you or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days
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:
- vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee
- have green or yellow-green vomit
- might have swallowed something poisonous
- have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
- have a sudden, severe headache or stomach ache
Find your nearest A&E
What we mean by severe painSevere pain:
- always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk
- you cannot sleep
- it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress
Moderate pain:
- always there
- makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
- you can manage to get up, wash or dress
Mild pain:
- comes and goes
- is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities
Page last reviewed: 17 June 2021
Next review due: 17 June 2024