Bacterial gastroenteritis is frequently a result of poor sanitation, the lack of safe drinking water, or contaminated food--conditions that are common in developing nations.

Bacterial gastroenteritis is frequently a result of poor sanitation, the lack of safe drinking water, or contaminated food--conditions that are common in developing nations.

Gastroenteritis often is referred to as the stomach flu even though the flu is a respiratory illness caused by an influenza virus. Other common names for viral gastroenteritis include: food poisoning, winter-vomiting disease, non-bacterial gastroenteritis

There are few steps that can be taken to avoid gastroenteritis. Ensuring that food is well-cooked and unspoiled can prevent bacterial gastroenteritis, but may not be effective against viral gastroenteritis.

gastroenteritis is a virus