Stomach bugs, also called gastroenteritis, are very common in young children and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes a fever. Gastroenteritis typically lasts in the neighborhood of three to seven days, but sometimes it can be shorter and, unfortunately, sometimes it lasts longer. Show
What causes stomach bugs?Many stomach bugs are caused by viruses such as rotavirus and norovirus. Both are highly contagious viruses. A child or adult may become infected more than once, but, usually, the initial case is the most severe and subsequent infections are milder. How to prevent stomach bugsThe best way to prevent catching a stomach bug: thorough hand washing. Everyone in your family should wash their hands with soap and water before eating and after using the bathroom. If you have an infant, be sure to follow proper handling and disposal of dirty diapers. Get more tips on how to prevent the stomach flu. How to care for a child with a stomach bug at homeYou can treat stomach bugs at home by making sure your child keeps drinking fluids and gets plenty of rest. The best way to keep your child well hydrated is with an electrolyte-containing solution such as Pedialyte®. Have your child take small sips frequently — meaning every five minutes or so — throughout the day. Avoid having them fill their stomach too much at once, or it might come back up. Also avoid anything too high in sugar, such as soda, juices or sports drinks, as these might make the diarrhea worse. Water will prevent dehydration but doesn’t replace any of the salts or sugars that your child may be losing.
View this video with a transcript For a breast-feeding infant, give breast milk or formula. Your child might be fussy and resistant to drinking. It’s important to get through the first few times. As your child drinks, they’ll start feeling better. Continue with solid food if your child can tolerate it. Your child may vomit a few times as they adjust. That’s OK. Take a step back by giving them smaller amounts of food and drink and work up from there. Soon your child will be back on the road to good health with lots of energy. When to seek medical careIn most cases, you can safely care for a stomach bug at home. It is important, however, to watch for signs of dehydration, which can occur quickly, especially in infants. Symptoms of dehydration include:
If you have any concerns that your child is dehydrated, call your pediatrician or go to an urgent care or emergency department. For children younger than 6 months and children who have health problems that make dehydration more likely, call your doctor for advice. Also seek medical care if your child has a fever that lasts several days, has severe abdominal pain, or has bloody diarrhea or vomit. How to keep others in your household from getting sickRotavirus and norovirus may live on inanimate surfaces, such as doorknobs, toys and hard surfaces, for quite some time. If someone in your household vomits or has diarrhea due to a stomach bug, clean and disinfect hard surfaces in the area. Put on rubber or disposable gloves, clean up the area, then disinfect the area using a bleach-based household cleaner. Anyone who is sick should not be in areas where food is being prepared. Be diligent, and your family will get through this! If you or your child get the stomach flu, it’s natural to wonder if everyone else in the family will get it too. After all, many of us have caught an infection from a family member, friend, or coworker at some point in our lives. However, the stomach flu is not actually a flu. For one, the stomach flu is typically caused by norovirus, while influenza viruses cause the flu. For another, the stomach flu (also called viral gastroenteritis) primarily affects the intestines and sometimes the stomach. It does not cause upper-respiratory symptoms (like dry cough and nasal congestion) like the common flu does. To help you and your loved ones stay healthy, in this article, we’ll explain if the stomach flu is contagious and how it spreads. Then we’ll discuss symptoms and remedies for the stomach flu, followed by how to prevent viral gastroenteritis and when to see a doctor. Is Stomach Flu Contagious?The stomach flu is caused by norovirus or other similar viruses like rotavirus, adenovirus, or astrovirus. These viruses are contagious and often lead to group or community-setting outbreaks such as in daycares, schools, nursing homes, or cruise ships. How long does stomach flu last?Most cases of viral gastroenteritis resolve on their own within a week. People with weakened immune systems as well as young children and older adults are at greater risk of contracting stomach flu and may experience more severe symptoms. How does stomach flu spread?Most stomach flu is passed via a fecal-oral route of transmission. As the name implies, this means that someone unknowingly ingested tiny particles of stool or vomit from an infected person. This can happen when:
Stomach Flu SymptomsCommon symptoms of stomach flu include:
Stomach Flu RemediesAlthough there is no way to speed healing from the stomach flu, you can do many things at home to ease your symptoms and find comfort while your body recovers. What you should eatStudies have mixed results about the best foods to eat for viral gastroenteritis. However, erring on the side of caution and sticking to a bland diet may help ease further discomfort if you vomit and may make it easier on your intestines as they recover from the virus. Many doctors recommend some version of a BRAT diet once you are ready to eat. BRAT stands for:
Foods you should avoidWhen you have the stomach flu, avoid any food that worsens your nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms. While everyone is different, you may find it best to stay away from the following foods until you feel better:
Recovery and How to Prevent Stomach FluBecause it is caused by a highly contagious family of viruses, it’s not always possible to prevent stomach flu. However, you can reduce the risk of getting sick by practicing some simple habits:
If you still get the stomach flu, recovery typically does not take longer than a week. Most people only need rest, proper hydration, and sometimes over-the-counter medication or a bland diet to cope with the illness. When to See a DoctorIf you believe you have the stomach flu and do not feel better after 5-7 days, check in with your doctor. You may have a different virus or may have developed a secondary infection. Also see a healthcare provider if you notice:
How K Health Can HelpDid you know you can access online urgent care with K Health? Check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed, text with a healthcare provider in minutes. K Health’s AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and is based on 20 years of clinical data. Frequently Asked QuestionsHow long are you contagious with the stomach flu? How long you’re contagious with stomach flu depends on which virus you have. If you have a norovirus, you’re typically contagious from the moment you begin to have symptoms until a few days or possibly a few weeks after you recover. If you have rotavirus, you could be contagious for 1-2 weeks after your symptoms have ended. Continue to practice good hygiene and stay home until your symptoms have been gone for 24-48 hours. Can you pass stomach flu to another person? The viruses that cause stomach flu are highly contagious. They can be passed from fecal-oral contamination, surface contamination, and by particles in the air that are released when someone vomits or coughs. K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Is a 24 hour stomach bug contagious?The 24-hour flu is very contagious, meaning that it can spread easily from person-to-person. You can become infected in the following ways: Having close contact with a person who has the infection. Coming into contact with a surface or object that's been contaminated.
How long are you contagious with stomach bug?However, studies have shown that you can still spread norovirus for two weeks or more after you feel better. Norovirus can easily contaminate food and water because it only takes a very small amount of virus particles to make you sick.
Are you contagious 48 hours after vomiting?Norovirus is most infectious from the start of symptoms until 48 hours after all symptoms have stopped. You may also be infectious for a short time before and after this. You can get norovirus more than once because the virus is always changing and your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it.
How long are you contagious after 24 hour gastro?Gastroenteritis is a contagious illness. An infected person can transmit the illness as long they have symptoms and up to 2 weeks after they have disappeared. He or she can be contagious even a few weeks after symptoms have subsided.
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