overview
Viral gastroenteritis is an infection of the intestines characterized by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes a fever.
The most common way to get viral gastroenteritis – often referred to as stomach flu – is by coming into contact with an infected person or by swallowing contaminated food or water. If you are otherwise healthy, you will likely recover without complications. However, viral gastroenteritis can be fatal in infants, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.
There is no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is imperative. In addition to avoiding food and water that can become contaminated, thorough and frequent hand washing is your best defense. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) Treatment in Hyderabad
symptoms
- Stomach and intestines
- Viral Gastroenteritis Open the popup dialog
- Although it is commonly referred to as the stomach flu, gastroenteritis is not the same as the flu. The real flu only affects your airways – your nose, throat, and lungs. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, attacks your bowels and causes signs and symptoms such as:
- Watery diarrhea, usually not bloody – bloody diarrhea usually means you have another, more serious infection
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Nausea, vomiting, or both
- Muscle pain or occasional headache
- Light fever
The reasons
You are more likely to get viral gastroenteritis if you eat or drink contaminated food or water, or if you share utensils, towels, or food with an infected person.
A number of viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including:
- Norovirus. Children and adults are affected by norovirus, the leading cause of foodborne illnesses around the world. Norovirus infection can affect families and communities. It is particularly likely to spread among people who live in confined spaces. In most cases, you can get the virus from contaminated food or water, although human-to-human transmission is possible.
- Rotavirus. Globally, it is the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis in children, who are usually infected, when they put their fingers or other objects contaminated with the virus in their mouths.
- The infection is most severe in infants and young children. Adults infected with rotavirus may not show symptoms, but can still spread the disease – which is of particular concern in institutional settings, as infected adults can unwittingly transmit the virus to others.
- A vaccine for viral gastroenteritis is available in some countries, including the United States, and appears to be effective in preventing infections. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) Treatment in Hyderabad
Risk factors
Gastroenteritis occurs around the world and affects people of all ages, races, and backgrounds.
People who may be more prone to developing gastroenteritis include:
- Small children. Children in daycare or elementary schools can be particularly at risk as a child’s immune system takes time to mature.
- Senior citizens. The immune system in adults tends to become less effective later in life. Elderly people in nursing homes are particularly at risk because their immune systems are weakened and they live in close contact with other people who can transmit germs.
- Schoolchildren, practitioners, or dormitory residents. An intestinal infection can be transmitted wherever groups of people congregate nearby.
preventions
The best way to prevent the spread of intestinal infections is to observe the following precautions:
- Get your child vaccinated. A vaccine for gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus is available in some countries, including the United States. The vaccine, given to children in their first year of life, appears to be effective in preventing severe symptoms of the disease.
- Wash your hands thoroughly. And make sure your kids do too. As your children are older, teach them to wash their hands, especially after using the bathroom. It is best to use warm water and soap and rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
- Make sure to wash around your cuticles, under your fingernails, and in the folds of your hands. Then rinse thoroughly. Carry disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer with you when soap and water are not available. Useful. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) Treatment in Hyderabad