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How Fast Can You Catch a Stomach Virus?
Introduction
The stomach virus, also known as gastroenteritis, is a common virus that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines 1. This leads to episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. Although commonly referred to as the stomach flu, the influenza virus is not involved in this particular infection.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Causes
How to Avoid Getting the Stomach Flu From Kids
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A variety of different viruses can cause gastroenteritis 1. Most commonly the sickness is caused by rotaviruses, sapoviruses, adenoviruses and noroviruses. Introduction of these viruses into the body can occur through physical contact with infected people or by contact with infected objects or body fluids. Most commonly infection occurs from eating or drinking food and drinks that are infected with the virus. Regardless of how the virus is introduced into the body, most stomach viruses take the same amount of time to show symptoms.
- A variety of different viruses can cause gastroenteritis 1.
- Regardless of how the virus is introduced into the body, most stomach viruses take the same amount of time to show symptoms.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a stomach virus include mainly diarrhea and vomiting, but other symptoms such as headaches, body aches and fever may also accompany an infection. Most infected persons take between 24 and 48 hours from the time of infection before they begin showing symptoms of the disease.
Treatment
What Causes Fever and Throwing Up in Children?
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Most infections of stomach viruses last between 24 hours to three days. There are no specific treatments for gastroenteritis, but precautions such as keeping hydrated are important to keep a simple stomach virus from becoming deadly 1. Some over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medications may help relieve the symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is particularly important to keep oral rehydration solution (ORS) around when treating a child for a stomach virus.
Related Articles
References
- Medicine Net: Gastroenteritis
- Mayo Clinic
- Balsalobre-Arenas L, Alarcón-Cavero T. Rapid diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract infections due to parasites, viruses, and bacteria. Diagnóstico rápido de las infecciones del tracto gastrointestinal por parásitos, virus y bacterias. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2017;35(6):367–376. doi:10.1016/j.eimc.2017.01.002
- Fletcher SM, McLaws ML, Ellis JT. Prevalence of gastrointestinal pathogens in developed and developing countries: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Public Health Res. 2013;2(1):42-53. doi:10.4081/jphr.2013.e9
- Robilotti E, Deresinski S, Pinsky BA. Norovirus. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015;28(1):134-64. doi:10.1128/CMR.00075-14
- Facciolà A, Riso R, Avventuroso E, et al. Campylobacter: from microbiology to prevention. J Prev Med Hyg. 2017 Jun;58(2):E79-92.
- Huh JW, Moon SG, Lim YH. A survey of intestinal protozoan infections among gastroenteritis patients during a 3-year period (2004-2006) in Gyeonggi-do (province), South Korea. Korean J Parasitol. 2009;47(3):303-5. doi:10.3347/kjp.2009.47.3.303
Writer Bio
Chris Sherwood is a professional journalist who after years in the health administration field and writing health and wellness articles turned towards organic sustainable gardening and food education. He now owns and operates an organic-method small farm focusing his research and writing on both organic gardening methods and hydroponics.