Not Medical Advice: The most common cause of gastroenteritis or stomach flu is a virus.
The stomach flu can be caused by many various kinds of viruses. The main types are norovirus and rotavirus. Although not as common, bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli can also trigger the stomach flu.
Another bacteria, shigella, is frequently passed around in day care centers. It usually spreads from person to person, and common sources of infection are contaminated food and drinking water. Parasites can as well cause gastroenteritis, but it's not common.
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis include:
- watery diarrhea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- cramping
- fever
- nausea
- headache
There's no effective cure for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is key. In addition to avoiding water and food that may be contaminated, thorough and frequent hand-washings are your best defense.
Learn how to survive a dreaded stomach illness and prevent its spread at the American Academy of Pediatrics.