Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu): Gastroenteritis or stomach flu is an infection of the GI tract caused by viruses (Norovirus), bacteria, and fungi. Learn about causes, symptoms, diet, and treatment.

Read the Gastroenteritis Main Article

Doctor's Notes on Gastroenteritis Symptoms

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Diarrhea

Diarrhea is common and can be treated at home with natural remedies and over-the-counter medication. Learn about common causes, associated symptoms, and how to get rid of diarrhea.
Food Poisoning

Food poisoning is caused by viruses, bacteria, toxins, parasites, or chemicals that have contaminated food or drinking water. Symptoms of food poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, abdominal cramping, dehydration, rectal bleeding, and bloating. Food poisoning usually can be cared for at home. In some instances (severe dehydration) a person may be hospitalized for treatment.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal and functional bowel disorder causing diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, and gas. Learn about treatment options.
Is the Stomach Flu Contagious

Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis) is caused by a number of different viruses. It is contagious, spreading from person to person through contact with an infected person’s stool or vomit.
Norovirus

Infection with norovirus causes symptoms like vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Symptoms and signs usually begin within 12-48 hours after initial contact with the virus. The infection is self-limiting, so medical treatment is usually unnecessary. However, if the infected individual is unable to rehydrate, it may be necessary to seek medical care to avoid dehydration.
Rotavirus

Rotavirus infection is one of four viruses that cause gastroenteritis. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Treatment involves staying hydrated. Antibiotics are not used to treat a rotavirus infection.
Salmonella

Salmonella is a bacterial that can cause infectious diseases in humans. You get Salmonella by ingesting contaminated food or water and the infection is referred to as "food poisoning." Symptoms and signs of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and possibly fever. Sometimes Salmonella requires no treatment, other times a doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Abdominal Pain in Children

Abdominal pain in children can range from trivial to life-threatening. Symptoms of abdominal pain range from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, groin pain, urinary problems, or skin rash. The location of the abdominal pain may be around the belly button, occurs only at night, while eating. The pain pain also may be intermittent. Treatment of abdominal pain in children is depends on the cause. Possible causes of abdominal pain in children include infections, food related (food allergy or food poisoning), poisoning from medication, food, household products, appendicitis, diabetes, or spider bites.
Traveler's Diarrhea

Causes of traveler's diarrhea include bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Traveler's diarrhea is contagious, with symptoms including loose or watery stools, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, and bloody stools. Treatment for traveler's diarrhea is generally with OTC medication.

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