What is commonly called the "Stomach Flu" is an acute contagious infection of the gastrointestinal tract that is caused by an RNA virus named Norovirus, which is from the family of viruses: Caliciviridae. It is not the same as "food poisoning" which is most often caused by bacteria.
"Stomach Flu" also goes by the more correct medical term of viral gastroenteritis, and by other nicknames like "Norwalk Flu," and, "Norwalk Agent." However, even though it is called "flu" by the common nicknames, it is also not actually the same as the flu (influenza). Influenza/flu is an infection also caused by a virus but it is quite different and affects the respiratory system instead of the digestive system and lasts usually 7 to 10 days.
The symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are often nausea, headaches, low grade fever, diarrhea and vomiting. You have malaise (feel terrible) and fatigue. Sometimes the diarrhea is incessant and can result in severe dehydration, if the fluids lost are not replenished, you may require hospitalization to treat the condition and prevent widespread organ injury or even organ failure.
It is typically a short illness of two to three days time, when you get plenty of fluids, rest, eat liquids instead of solids and then gradually increase your diet to solid foods as tolerated.
You can prevent the stomach flu if you wash your hands well and often, especially if you know that it is "going around". Use warm soap and water or sanitize your hands (hand sanitizer) often. Avoid nail biting or putting your fingers in your mouth. Eat healthy foods that are soft and bland once you can hold liquids down.
Gastroenteritis
An older spelling variant is 'flu. There was a time when people used the apostrophe to indicate that it was short for influenza. Influenza is the most technical term to say flu.
Although the "stomach flu" is a common term, it is not a real diagnosis. The proper medical term for stomach flu is gastroenteritis (an intestinal disease or infection, sometimes viral but it can also be a bacterial infection). It is often mistaken for influenza because the real influenza viral infection can sometimes include vomiting and diarrhea as symptoms. The symptoms like those of "stomach flu" can also be caused by other things, such as a food-borne illness, like infection from E. coli or Salmonella from contaminated food sources; intestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease; and psychosomatic (emotional) disorders.
How long is the 24 stomach flu contagious for
You may be contagious a few days after you have had the stomach flu. Normally the stomach flu runs its course in one to two days.
I believe so. The stomach flu isn't the flu at all and is a digestive system ailment. The flu is influenza, a respiratory virus.
Your stomach will not nessasaraly hurt if you have the flu. it depends on what flu you have
Although the "stomach flu" is a common term, it is not a real diagnosis. The proper medical term for stomach flu is gastroenteritis (an intestinal disease or infection, sometimes viral but it can also be a bacterial infection). It is often mistaken for influenza because the real influenza viral infection can sometimes include vomiting and diarrhea as symptoms. The symptoms like those of "stomach flu" can also be caused by other things, such as a food-borne illness, like infection from E. coli or Salmonella from contaminated food sources; intestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease; and psychosomatic (emotional) disorders.
When your stomach hurts so much.
It means to get Stomach Flu or Gastric Flu
"Stomach flu", or the "GI flu".
no
Absolutely not.