What is Viral Gastroenteritis / Stomach Flu?
Viral gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Highly contagious, it is transmitted through close contact between people who are infected, or through contaminated food or water. It is caused by a number of different viruses, including the norovirus that is spread through contaminated food and water, on surfaces, or by people who have the virus.
Rotavirus is spread through the mouth while adenovirus is an airborne virus spread through sneezing and coughing, as well as by touching contaminated objects, or by touching the hands of someone with the virus.
What are the symptoms of Viral Gastroenteritis / Stomach Flu?
Signs and symptoms of Viral Gastroenteritis may appear 1-2 days after you are infected, depending on the cause and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms may last for 1-2 days, although it may occassionally take as long as 14 days for symptoms to go away.
Symptoms include:
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Watery diarrhoea
- Fever or chills
- Headache, muscle aches, or joint aches
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Sweaty / clammy skin
When should I seek medical attention?
You should see a doctor if you experience any of the following:
- You are not able to hold down liquids for 24 hours
- You have been vomiting or having diarrhoea for more than two days
- You are experiencing signs of dehydration. This includes feeling thirsty, dry mouth, deep yellow urine, feeling weak, dizziness or lightheadedness
- You have severe stomach pains
- You are running a high fever (40°C)
What are the risk factors of Viral Gastroenteritis / Stomach Flu?
- Age: Young children are vulnerable as their immune system has yet to fully mature. Meanwhile, as adults' immune system get less effective with age, older adults in nursing homes are vulnerable to Viral Gastroenteritis.
- School children or dormitory residents: Being in close quarters to others make it easier for an intestinal infection to spread.
- Weakened immune system: If your immune system is weakened, perhaps due to medication, chemotherapy or AIDS/HIV, you may be at risk.
How can I reduce my chances of getting Viral Gastroenteritis / Stomach Flu?
Here are some ways you can prevent the spread of Viral Gastroenteritis:
- Wash your hands thoroughly: Wash your hands after using the toilet, before and after preparing or eating food. Be sure to wash your hand thoroughly with soap. You can bring hand sanitizers or wet wipes for instances when you are unable to wash your hands with water.
- Use separate personal items at home: Avoid sharing utensils, cups or plates. You can consider using different towels in the bathroom too.
- Prepare food safely: Wash fruits and vegetables before eating them, clean your kitchen surface before preparing food on them. Do avoid preparing food if you are sick.
- Keep your distance: Avoid close contact with someone suffering from Viral Gastroenteritis, if possible.
- Take precautions when travelling: You may get sick from contaminated food or water overseas. Drink only well-sealed water and avoid ice cubes that may be made from contaminated water. Avoid raw food that may have been touched by human hands and brush your teeth with bottled water.
How is Viral Gastroenteritis / Stomach Flu diagnosed?
Physical Examination
The abdomen is examined for tenderness or swelling.
Stool Test
A stool test may be done to check for the presence of viruses, bacteria or blood which may be indicative of gastroenteritis.
