Viral Gastroenteritis Health Channel

Definition

Viral gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus. The infection can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. It is sometimes called the "stomach flu."

Alternative Names

Rotavirus infection; Norwalk virus; Gastroenteritis - viral; Stomach flu

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Viral gastroenteritis is a leading cause of severe diarrhea in both adults and children. Many types of viruses can cause gastroenteritis. The most common ones are:

• Astrovirus
• Enteric adenovirus
• Norovirus (also called Norwalk-like virus). It is common among school-age children.
• Rotavirus, the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children. It can also infect adults exposed to children with the virus. Outbreaks may also occur in nursing homes.

These viruses are often found in contaminated food or drinking water. Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis usually appear within 4 - 48 hours after exposure to the contaminated food or water.

Those with the highest risk for severe gastroenteritis include the young, the elderly, and people who have suppressed immune systems.

Symptoms

• Abdominal cramping
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Additional symptoms may include:

• Chills
• Clammy skin
• Excessive sweating
• Fever
• Joint stiffness
• Leakage (incontinence) of stool
• Muscle pain
• Poor feeding
• Vomiting blood (very rare)
• Weight loss

Signs and tests

Your health care provider will look for signs that your body does not have enough water (dehydration). These include:

• Dry or sticky mouth
• Lethargic or comatose (severe dehydration)
• Low blood pressure
• Low or no urine output; concentrated urine appears dark yellow
• Markedly sunken soft spots (fontanelles) on the top of an infant's head
• No tears
• Sunken eyes

Tests that examine stool samples may be used to identify the specific virus.