Signs & Symptoms of Stomach Flu

The Stomach Flu is a very common viral gastroenteritis disorder. It infects the stomach and intestine. Statistically speaking it is the second most common illness prevailing in America families. People get infected from the virus through food and the infection gets passed on from person to person through contaminated utensils, food and water remains the constant source. These viruses are very contagious and unless proper specific steps like appropriate hand washing and sterilization is enforced in public facilities, an outbreak may occur. Out breaks of viral diseases are common in School, Hospital, Cruise ships, Jails, Dormitories, long time care facilities and all places where large number of people congregate or stay even for short period. Needless to point out, such places enforcement of hand washing and use of disinfectants comprehensively should be made mandatory.

There are many viruses which cause gastroenteritis disease like norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, saporvirus and atrocious. The virus, which is implicated in stomach flu disorder, is rotavirus. Due to this virus, infants and children get infected with gastroenteritis. However, Norovirus causes gastroenteritis in maximum number of people. It is not the fact that stomach flu, which implies the influenza virus, is associated with this infection.

The typical characteristic of viral gastroenteritis is muscle aches, cramps and chills which are early symptoms followed by nausea, vomiting and / or diarrhea. Normally one gets some relief of the pain and nauseatic feelings after vomiting and diarrhea. The vomit and diarrhea are non - bloody and stool will have lighter color. One gets fatigued and exhausted after vomiting and diarrhea since the energy involved in cleaning the virus infection from the body and losing the fluid resulting in the process and thus causing dehydration. The symptoms begin 1-2 days after getting the virus infection and last from 1 to 10 days depending upon the type of virus involved.