Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection caused by several different viruses. Highly contagious, viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States. It causes millions of cases of diarrhea each year. Anyone can get viral gastroenteritis and most people recover without any complications. However, viral gastroenteritis can be serious when people cannot drink enough fluids to replace what is lost through vomiting and diarrhea, especially infants, young children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting. Other symptoms are headache, fever, chills, and abdominal pain. Symptoms usually appear within four to forty-eight hours after exposure to the virus and last for one to two days, through symptoms can last as long as ten days.

Complications

Your body needs fluids to function. Dehydration is the loss of fluids from the body. Important salts or minerals, known as electrolytes, can be lost with the fluids. In viral gastroenteritis, the combination of diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration. The symptoms of dehydration are :

• excessive thirst
• dry mouth
• little or no urine, dark yellow urine
• decreased tears
• severe weakness or lethargy
• dizziness or lighheadedness

If you notice any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor. Mild dehydration can be treated by drinking liquids. Severe dehydration may require intravenous fluids and hospitalization. Untreated severe dehydration can be life threatening.

What Causes Viral Gastroenteritis?

The viruses that cause viral gastroenteritis damage the cells in the lining of the small intestine. As a result, fluids leak from the cells into the intestine and produce watery diarrhea. Four types of viruses cause most viral gastroenteritis:

• Rotavirus is most prevalent cause of viral gastroenteritis in children under the age of five years. It can also infect adults who are in close contact with infected children, but the symptoms are milder in adults. Rotavirus typically causes vomiting and watery diarrhea for three to eight days, along with fever and abdominal pain.
• Adenovirus occurs mainly in children under the age of two years. Of the forty-nine types of adenoviruses, one strain affects the gastrointestinal tract causing vomiting and diarrhea.
• Caliciviruses cause infection in people of all ages. This family of viruses is divided into four types, the noroviruses being the most common and most responsible for infecting people. Infected people experience vomiting and diarrhea, fatigue, headache, and sometimes muscle aches.
• Astrovirus infects primarily infants, young children and the elderly. Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms.

Viral gastroenteritis is often mistakenly called “stomach flu” but it is not caused by the influenza virus and it does not infect the stomach. Also, viral gastroenteritis is not caused by bacteria or parasites.

Transmission

Viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious. The viruses are commonly transmitted by people with unwashed hands. People can get the viruses through close contact with infected individuals by sharing their food, drink, or eating utensils, or by eating food or drinking beverages that are contaminated with the virus.

People who no longer have symptoms may still be contagious, since the virus can be found in their stool for up to two weeks after they recover from their illness. Also, people can become infected without having symptoms and they can still spread the infection.

Outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis can occur in households, child care settings, schools, nursing homes, cruise ships, camps, dormitories, restaurants, and other places where people gather in groups. If you suspect that your were exposed to a virus in one of these settings, you may want to contact your local health department, which tracks outbreaks.

Diagnosis

If you think you have viral gastroenteritis, you may want to see your doctor. Doctors generally diagnose viral gastroenteritis based on the symptoms and a physical examination. Your doctor may ask for a stool sample to test for rotavirus or to rule out bacteria or parasites as the cause of your symptoms. Please do not bring a stool sample to the office unless it has been specifically requested by Dr. Gaeke.

Treatment

Most cases of viral gastroenteritis resolve over time without specific treatment. Antibiotics are NOT effective against viral infections. The primary goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms, and prompt treatment may be needed to prevent dehydration. The following steps may help relieve the symptoms of viral gastroenteritis:

• Allow your gastrointestinal tract to settle by not eating for a few hours.
• Sip small amounts of clear liquids or suck on ice chips if vomiting is still a problem.
• Give infants and children oral rehydration solutions to replace fluids and lost electrolytes.
• Gradually reintroduce food, starting with bland, easy-to-digest foods, like toast, broth, apples, bananas and rice.
• Avoid dairy products, caffeine, and alcohol until recovery is complete.
• Get plenty of rest.

Points to Remember

• Viral gastroenteritis is a highly contagious infection of the intestines caused by one of several viruses.
• Although sometimes called “stomach flu”, viral gastroenteritis is not caused by the influenza virus and does not affect the stomach.
• The main symptoms are watery diarrhea and vomiting.
• Anyone can get viral gastroenteritis through unwashed hands, close contact with an infected person, or food and beverages that contain the virus.
• Diagnosis is based on the symptoms and a physical examination.
• Viral gastroenteritis has no specific treatment; antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms and preventing dehydration.
• People with viral gastroenteritis should rest, drink clear liquids, and eat easy-to-digest foods.
• Avoid viral gastroenteritis by washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing diapers, disinfecting contaminated surfaces, and avoiding foods or liquids that may be contaminated.

Disclaimer: The contents of this site are for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site.