Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Stomach Flu?SymptomsCausesHome RemediesMedical TreatmentWhen to Seek Medical AttentionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Stomach Flu?
Symptoms
Causes
Home Remedies
Medical Treatment
When to Seek Medical Attention
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve ever had the stomach flu, known asgastroenteritis, you’re far from alone. Infection withnorovirus, the most common cause, is the second most common illness in the US.Occurring due to infection and inflammation of the intestines and stomach, typical symptoms include fever,diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
In most cases, stomach flu resolves without medical management, and there’s no outright cure for it. Ensuring you get rest, staying hydrated, and making dietary changes are among the strategies to help you manage stomach flu.It’s important to understand the symptoms and causes of this common condition as well as what home remedies and medical approaches look like.
At-Risk GroupsGastroenteritis tends not to be severe in healthy adults, though it can be fatal in infants, people over age 65, and those with weakened immune systems.People who are immunocompromised (have weakened immune systems) include those who have existing health conditions, are taking certain medications that lower their immunity, or undergoing chemotherapy.
At-Risk Groups
Gastroenteritis tends not to be severe in healthy adults, though it can be fatal in infants, people over age 65, and those with weakened immune systems.People who are immunocompromised (have weakened immune systems) include those who have existing health conditions, are taking certain medications that lower their immunity, or undergoing chemotherapy.
The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis are:
The most significant complication of stomach flu isdehydrationas this can become dangerous, or even fatal. In adults, this can cause an array of additional signs, including:
Parents of infants should also recognize the signs theirchild is dehydrated. These include:
What Causes Diarrhea and Fever? 4 Possible Conditions
Causes of the Stomach Flu
Viral Gastroenteritis
Viral forms of stomach flu are highly contagious as the virus spreads through contact with an infected person’s stool or vomit. It can be picked up from direct contact with that person, contaminated food, or after touching a surface and then your mouth without washing your hands.
Seasonal OutbreaksIn the United States, most viral gastroenteritis outbreaks are due to norovirus, rotavirus, and astrovirus and occur during the winter months.This is because most spend more time indoors and in close quarters to others when it’s colder, increasing the chances of transmission.
Seasonal Outbreaks
In the United States, most viral gastroenteritis outbreaks are due to norovirus, rotavirus, and astrovirus and occur during the winter months.This is because most spend more time indoors and in close quarters to others when it’s colder, increasing the chances of transmission.
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Certain bacterial infections can also cause stomach flu, though this type of gastroenteritis is rarer than viral types. The bacteria causing food poisoning grow on foods like meat, fruits, and vegetables, as well as other food; water and liquids can also be contaminated. Primarily, three types of bacteria cause bacterial gastroenteritis:
Parasites and Contaminants
Another parasite that causes gastroenteritis isCryptosporidium, infections that lead to cryptosporidiosis, commonly known as crypto. Like giardia, this parasite survives in the intestines and spreads via contact with human or animal feces.
Lastly, exposure to certain chemicals and contaminants can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastroenteritis symptoms. As with the others, transmission is often through contaminated food or drink.
Food PoisoningWhen what you eat or drink is contaminated with viruses, bacteria, contaminants, or parasites, you contractfood poisoning. This is a type of gastroenteritis.
Food Poisoning
When what you eat or drink is contaminated with viruses, bacteria, contaminants, or parasites, you contractfood poisoning. This is a type of gastroenteritis.
Home Remedies for the Stomach Flu
In most cases, stomach flu resolves on its own, without the need for medications or medical treatments. Healing from the condition primarily means managing the symptoms, getting rest, staying hydrated, and boosting electrolyte intake.Treating gastroenteritis primarily involves dietary restrictions, drinking water, and getting rest.
There’s much you can do to prevent the infections that cause this condition.
Diet
Since stomach flu causes nausea and vomiting, eating and getting enough nutrients can be challenging. Making dietary changes is a cornerstone of gastroenteritis treatment.
The BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast)diet is designed to ease the symptoms of stomach flu, diarrhea, and nausea. It consists of foods that are low in protein, fiber, and fat, which are easier to digest. These are foods that are bland and easy to chew. There is, however, limited evidence of its efficacy.
It is recommended to choose soft, low residue/low fiber foods, unseasoned lean protein sources (poultry/eggs), tea, broth, and hydration fluid, such as Pedialyte, and avoiding dairy.
It is best to start with a liquid-based diet and work up to more solid foods.
Recommended FoodsBouillon or brothApple or cranberry juicePopsicles (ice pops) and hard candiesSaltines or white breadToast, plain pasta, or riceBananasMashed potatoesLean protein (poultry/eggs)Not Recommended FoodsSpicy or fried foodsAlcoholCaffeinated beveragesDried peas or beansRaw or dried fruits and vegetables (bananas are recommended)Whole grain cereals or breadsMilk and dairy products, like cheeses, butter, etc.Seeds, nuts, popcorn, and coconut
Recommended FoodsBouillon or brothApple or cranberry juicePopsicles (ice pops) and hard candiesSaltines or white breadToast, plain pasta, or riceBananasMashed potatoesLean protein (poultry/eggs)
Bouillon or broth
Apple or cranberry juice
Popsicles (ice pops) and hard candies
Saltines or white bread
Toast, plain pasta, or rice
Bananas
Mashed potatoes
Lean protein (poultry/eggs)
Not Recommended FoodsSpicy or fried foodsAlcoholCaffeinated beveragesDried peas or beansRaw or dried fruits and vegetables (bananas are recommended)Whole grain cereals or breadsMilk and dairy products, like cheeses, butter, etc.Seeds, nuts, popcorn, and coconut
Spicy or fried foods
Alcohol
Caffeinated beverages
Dried peas or beans
Raw or dried fruits and vegetables (bananas are recommended)
Whole grain cereals or breads
Milk and dairy products, like cheeses, butter, etc.
Seeds, nuts, popcorn, and coconut
These Foods Can Help You Recover From the Flu Faster (and Some You Should Avoid)
Drink Water
The primary focus of treatment for gastroenteritis involves ensuring you don’t become dehydrated. Central to management is fluid and electrolyte intake. This may involve:
Additionally, a provider may recommend oral rehydration therapy. This requires drinking a preformulated solution of water, bicarbonate, glucose, and sodium chloride (electrolytes) throughout the day.
Rest
One of the most important things your body needs to fight off infection is plenty of rest. Take time off of work, keep your child out of school or daycare if they’re infected, and make sure you and your child is gettingenough sleep. This will help strengthen the immune system and allow you time to recoup.
Prevention
Gastroenteritis is highly communicable; the viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens that cause it are often resilient and able to survive on surfaces or foods. Ways to prevent infection include:
Safe Food Handling
In some cases, home management of stomach flu isn’t enough to stop nausea, diarrhea, and other symptoms. You may be prescribed:
Medicate With CareIf you’re taking prescribed or OTC medications for gastroenteritis, do so with care. Be mindful of your condition and use them only as directed. Let your healthcare provider know if you’re experiencing debilitating side effects or worsening symptoms.
Medicate With Care
If you’re taking prescribed or OTC medications for gastroenteritis, do so with care. Be mindful of your condition and use them only as directed. Let your healthcare provider know if you’re experiencing debilitating side effects or worsening symptoms.
Gastroenteritis symptoms can be especially dangerous for certain populations, prompting a call to your provider. These include:
In addition, if an infant is not drinking or has had diarrhea for two days, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Furthermore, the following symptoms warrant medical help:
Summary
Stomach flu, orgastroenteritis, is an inflammation of the intestines and stomach that causes diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and sometimes fever. Symptoms typically resolve within two weeks—often within one to three days—without medical treatment.Gastroenteritis symptoms can cause severe dehydration.
While this condition is often viral in origin, with most cases arising due to norovirus infection, it can also be the result of exposure to bacteria, such asE. coli, parasites like giardia, or chemicals.Stomach flu can be highly contagious.Infants and children, older people, and those with compromised immunity are more likely to develop stomach flu.
The goals of treatment for gastroenteritis are to prevent dehydration, get rest, manage symptoms, and employ a restricted diet. This may involve drinking water or drinks with electrolytes, prioritizing sleep and rest throughout recovery, and taking OTC medications, such as Imodium (loperamide) and probiotics.Signs of dehydration prompt immediate medical attention.
A Word From Verywell
If you’re concerned about stomach flu symptoms or are seeing signs of dehydration, don’t hesitate to call your healthcare provider or even emergency medical help.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMany types of stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, are highly contagious. The amount of time that you’re contagious depends on the specific virus or other pathogens that are causing the symptoms.For norovirus—the most common type—you’re usually contagious anywhere from two days to two weeks after symptoms have resolved.People with rotavirus are contagious before you feel sick, about one to two days as well as up to two weeks after recovery.The duration of stomach flu symptoms, or gastroenteritis, depends on the underlying viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. Most recover without medical help anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks.With norovirus infection—the most common type—symptoms arise within two days of exposure, and last 24 to 72 hours.Rotavirus tends to last longer, anywhere from three to eight days, and adenovirus can last up to two weeks.Learn MoreSigns of Stomach Flu and When to See a Healthcare ProviderTo manage the diarrhea and vomiting associated with stomach flu, it’s often recommended that you stick to a restricted diet focused on bland and soft foods. Generally, you should be able to start reincorporating fruits and vegetables and getting back to normal as your symptoms subside.Most cases of stomach flu resolve within two to three days.Learn MoreBenefits of a Bland Diet for Symptom Management
Many types of stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, are highly contagious. The amount of time that you’re contagious depends on the specific virus or other pathogens that are causing the symptoms.For norovirus—the most common type—you’re usually contagious anywhere from two days to two weeks after symptoms have resolved.People with rotavirus are contagious before you feel sick, about one to two days as well as up to two weeks after recovery.
Many types of stomach flu, or gastroenteritis, are highly contagious. The amount of time that you’re contagious depends on the specific virus or other pathogens that are causing the symptoms.
For norovirus—the most common type—you’re usually contagious anywhere from two days to two weeks after symptoms have resolved.
People with rotavirus are contagious before you feel sick, about one to two days as well as up to two weeks after recovery.
The duration of stomach flu symptoms, or gastroenteritis, depends on the underlying viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. Most recover without medical help anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks.With norovirus infection—the most common type—symptoms arise within two days of exposure, and last 24 to 72 hours.Rotavirus tends to last longer, anywhere from three to eight days, and adenovirus can last up to two weeks.Learn MoreSigns of Stomach Flu and When to See a Healthcare Provider
The duration of stomach flu symptoms, or gastroenteritis, depends on the underlying viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. Most recover without medical help anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks.With norovirus infection—the most common type—symptoms arise within two days of exposure, and last 24 to 72 hours.Rotavirus tends to last longer, anywhere from three to eight days, and adenovirus can last up to two weeks.
The duration of stomach flu symptoms, or gastroenteritis, depends on the underlying viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection. Most recover without medical help anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks.
With norovirus infection—the most common type—symptoms arise within two days of exposure, and last 24 to 72 hours.
Rotavirus tends to last longer, anywhere from three to eight days, and adenovirus can last up to two weeks.
Learn MoreSigns of Stomach Flu and When to See a Healthcare Provider
To manage the diarrhea and vomiting associated with stomach flu, it’s often recommended that you stick to a restricted diet focused on bland and soft foods. Generally, you should be able to start reincorporating fruits and vegetables and getting back to normal as your symptoms subside.Most cases of stomach flu resolve within two to three days.Learn MoreBenefits of a Bland Diet for Symptom Management
To manage the diarrhea and vomiting associated with stomach flu, it’s often recommended that you stick to a restricted diet focused on bland and soft foods. Generally, you should be able to start reincorporating fruits and vegetables and getting back to normal as your symptoms subside.Most cases of stomach flu resolve within two to three days.
To manage the diarrhea and vomiting associated with stomach flu, it’s often recommended that you stick to a restricted diet focused on bland and soft foods. Generally, you should be able to start reincorporating fruits and vegetables and getting back to normal as your symptoms subside.
Most cases of stomach flu resolve within two to three days.
Learn MoreBenefits of a Bland Diet for Symptom Management
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health.Definition & facts for viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.National Institutes of Health.Viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About norovirus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rotavirus clinical information.Jeong HS, Jeong A, Cheon DS.Epidemiology of astrovirus infection in children.Korean J Pediatr. 2012;55(3):77–82. doi:10.3345/kjp.2012.55.3.77Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bacterial gastroenteritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Giardia: General information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Crypto spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).Barr W, Smith A.Acute diarrhea in adults.Am Fam Physician.2014;89(3):180-189.Brown University Health Services.Viral gastroenteritis.Graves N.Acute Gastroenteritis.Prim Care. 2013;40(3):727-741. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2013.05.006Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).National Institutes of Health.Definition & facts for viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health.Definition & facts for viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.National Institutes of Health.Viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About norovirus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rotavirus clinical information.Jeong HS, Jeong A, Cheon DS.Epidemiology of astrovirus infection in children.Korean J Pediatr. 2012;55(3):77–82. doi:10.3345/kjp.2012.55.3.77Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bacterial gastroenteritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Giardia: General information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Crypto spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).Barr W, Smith A.Acute diarrhea in adults.Am Fam Physician.2014;89(3):180-189.Brown University Health Services.Viral gastroenteritis.Graves N.Acute Gastroenteritis.Prim Care. 2013;40(3):727-741. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2013.05.006Additional ReadingCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).National Institutes of Health.Definition & facts for viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health.Definition & facts for viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.National Institutes of Health.Viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About norovirus.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rotavirus clinical information.Jeong HS, Jeong A, Cheon DS.Epidemiology of astrovirus infection in children.Korean J Pediatr. 2012;55(3):77–82. doi:10.3345/kjp.2012.55.3.77Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bacterial gastroenteritis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Giardia: General information.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Crypto spreads.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).Barr W, Smith A.Acute diarrhea in adults.Am Fam Physician.2014;89(3):180-189.Brown University Health Services.Viral gastroenteritis.Graves N.Acute Gastroenteritis.Prim Care. 2013;40(3):727-741. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2013.05.006
National Institutes of Health.Definition & facts for viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
National Institutes of Health.Viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About norovirus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Rotavirus clinical information.
Jeong HS, Jeong A, Cheon DS.Epidemiology of astrovirus infection in children.Korean J Pediatr. 2012;55(3):77–82. doi:10.3345/kjp.2012.55.3.77
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bacterial gastroenteritis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Giardia: General information.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How Crypto spreads.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).
Barr W, Smith A.Acute diarrhea in adults.Am Fam Physician.2014;89(3):180-189.
Brown University Health Services.Viral gastroenteritis.
Graves N.Acute Gastroenteritis.Prim Care. 2013;40(3):727-741. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2013.05.006
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).National Institutes of Health.Definition & facts for viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).
National Institutes of Health.Definition & facts for viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”).
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