Gastroenteritis Summary Have you ever had the “stomach flu?” What you probably had was gastroenteritis – not a type of flu at all. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the U.S. The cause is often a norovirus infection. It spreads through contaminated food or water, and contact with an infected person. The best prevention is frequent hand washing. Symptoms of gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever and chills. Most people recover with no treatment. The most common problem with gastroenteritis is dehydration. This happens if you do not drink enough fluids to replace what you lose through vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration is most common in babies, young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Children “Stomach Flu” Nemours Foundation Adenovirus (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Diarrhea (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Vomiting (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Array Bacterial gastroenteritis Bland diet CMV – gastroenteritis/colitis Stool Gram stain Viral gastroenteritis When you have nausea and vomiting When you or your child has diarrhea Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Gastroenteritis National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Norovirus National Institutes of Health Encyclopedia D-xylose absorption Fecal culture Lipase test Norovirus – hospital Rectal culture Small intestine aspirate and culture Teenagers Dehydration (For Teens) Nemours Foundation Gastrointestinal Infections and Diarrhea Nemours Foundation Specifics Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Disease, (Sometimes Called “Food Poisoning”) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Treatments and Therapies Gastroenteritis: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Prevention and Risk Factors Hand Washing: Do’s and Dont’s Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Find an Expert National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Journal Articles Gastroenteritis in adults Gastroenteritis in children Related Issues Stomach Flu: How Long Am I Contagious? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Diagnosis and Tests Stool Culture American Association for Clinical Chemistry Stool Tests Nemours Foundation Start Here Viral Gastroenteritis National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Viral Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Latest News Day Care Babies Catch Stomach Bugs Earlier, but Get Fewer Later HealthDay
