Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)VViral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)EnglishInfectious DiseasesChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)Stomach;Small Intestine;Large Intestine/ColonImmune systemConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)Abdominal pain;Diarrhea;Fever;Headache;Vomiting2009-11-10T05:00:00ZLaurie Streitenberger, RN, BSc, CIC;Anne Matlow, MD, FRCPC8.0000000000000042.0000000000000774.000000000000Health (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>Viral gastroenteritis, often called "stomach flu," is an infection that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Learn the symptoms and treatment of viral gastroenteritis. </p><h2>What is viral gastroenteritis?</h2> <p>Gastroenteritis (say: GAS-tro-enter-EYE-tis) is the inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis means the inflammation is caused by infection with a virus. It often causes vomiting (throwing up) or diarrhea. </p> <p>Viral gastroenteritis is often called "stomach flu," but it is not caused by flu (influenza) viruses. Viral gastroenteritis can be caused by many different viruses, including rotaviruses, torovirus, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses and a group of Norwalk-like viruses. </p> <h3>Viral gastroenteritis is NOT caused by any of the following, although the symptoms may be similar:</h3> <ul> <li>bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli </li> <li>parasites such as Giardia </li> <li>medications </li> <li>other medical conditions </li> </ul><h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Viral gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and intestines.</li><li>The main symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. </li><li>Diarrhea and vomiting can cause a loss of fluids, also called dehydration. </li><li>If dehydration is severe, patients may have to be given fluid intravenously (IV) at the hospital. </li><li>Viral gastroenteritis can spread by sharing food, water and utensils. Frequent hand washing can help prevent the spread of infection to others. </li> <li>Viral gastroenteritis is usually not a serious illness. However, people who have weak immune systems are at risk for more serious infection.</li></ul><h2>Diarrhea and vomiting are the main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis</h2> <h3>The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are:</h3> <ul> <li>diarrhea </li> <li>vomiting </li> </ul> <h3>A child with viral gastroenteritis may also have:</h3> <ul> <li>headache </li> <li>fever </li> <li>stomach cramps or a sore stomach </li> </ul> <p>In general, the symptoms begin one to two days after catching the virus. They can last for one to 10 days.</p><h2>Viral gastroenteritis can be spread</h2> <h3>Viral gastroenteritis can spread through the following methods:</h3> <ul> <li>sharing food, water or eating utensils such as forks and knives with someone who has the virus </li> <li>not washing hands after touching items that may have the virus on their surface </li> </ul> <h2>Anyone can catch viral gastroenteritis</h2> <p>People of all ages and backgrounds can get viral gastroenteritis. However, different groups often get different viruses:</p> <ul> <li>Babies and toddlers tend to get rotaviruses and torovirus more often. </li> <li>Adenoviruses and astroviruses tend to cause diarrhea mostly in young children. </li> <li>Norwalk-like viruses are more likely to cause diarrhea in older children and adults. </li> </ul><h2>Treating viral gastroenteritis</h2> <p>The most important way of treating viral gastroenteritis in children and adults is to prevent dehydration. Dehydration means severe loss of fluids. Ask your doctor how to prevent dehydration if your child has the symptoms. </p> <h3>Symptoms of dehydration include:</h3> <ul> <li>dry or sticky mouth </li> <li>thirst </li> <li>low or no urine output; concentrated urine appears dark yellow </li> <li>not producing tears </li> <li>being irritable or cranky </li> <li>seeming bored or uninterested </li> <li>headache </li> <li>dizziness </li> <li>cramps </li> <li>chills </li> <li>fatigue </li> </ul> <h3>In severe cases, dehydration can cause:</h3> <ul> <li>sunken eyes </li> <li>sunken fontanelle (soft spot) on the top of a baby's head </li> <li>nausea or vomiting </li> <li>lethargy or coma </li> </ul> <p>If your child becomes very dehydrated, your child may have to be treated at the hospital. In the hospital, fluids can be replaced through an intravenous line (IV) if necessary. </p> <h2>Viral gastroenteritis is rarely a serious illness</h2> <p>For most people, viral gastroenteritis is not a serious illness. People who get viral gastroenteritis almost always recover completely without any long-term problems. How fast a child recovers from viral gastroenteritis partly depends on which virus is causing the illness. </p> <p>Viral gastroenteritis can be a serious illness in people who are unable to drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea. Babies, young children and people who are unable to care for themselves, such as the disabled or elderly, are at risk for dehydration from losing too much of the body's water. </p> <p>People with immune system problems are at risk for dehydration because they may get more severe symptoms than healthy people, and have more vomiting and diarrhea. People with severe symptoms may need to stay in the hospital for treatment to correct or prevent dehydration. </p><h2>If your child is in hospital, help stop viral gastroenteritis from spreading</h2> <ul> <li>Your child may be placed in a single room and will not be able to visit the playroom until they are feeling better. Ask the Child Life Specialist to bring toys and supplies to your child's room. </li> <li>Wash your hands often before and after touching your child and before leaving your child's room. Expect hand washing by hospital staff as well. </li> <li>If you or anyone else who has visited becomes ill with symptoms of viral gastroenteritis, let your child's doctor or nurse know.</li> <li>If your child has symptoms of viral gastroenteritis and they are in the hospital, all staff caring for your child should wear gloves and a gown. </li> </ul>
Gastroentérite viraleGGastroentérite viraleViral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)FrenchInfectious DiseasesChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)Stomach;Small Intestine;Large Intestine/ColonImmune systemConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)Abdominal pain;Diarrhea;Fever;Headache;Vomiting2009-11-10T05:00:00ZLaurie Streitenberger, RN, BSc, CIC;Anne Matlow, MD, FRCPC8.0000000000000042.0000000000000774.000000000000Health (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>La gastroentérite virale est une infection qui cause une inflammation de l'estomac et des intestins.</p><h2>Qu'est-ce que la gastroentérite virale?</h2> <p>La gastroentérite est une inflammation de l'estomac, de l'intestin grêle et du gros intestin. Le terme « viral » signifie que l'inflammation est causée par un virus. Elle provoque souvent des vomissements ou la diarrhée. </p> <p>La gastroentérite virale peut être causée par de nombreux groupes de virus différents, comme les rotavirus, les torovirus, les adénoviruses, les calicivirus, les astrovirus, et un groupe de virus apparentés au virus de Norwalk.</p> <h3>La gastroentérite virale n'est PAS causée par l'un ou l'autre des facteurs suivants, bien que les symptômes puissent se ressembler :</h3> <ul> <li>bactéries comme la Salmonelle ou E. coli;</li> <li>parasites comme le Giardia;</li> <li>médicaments;</li> <li>autres troubles médicaux.</li> </ul><h2>À retenir</h2> <ul> <li>La gastroentérite virale est une infection de l'estomac et des intestins.</li> <li>La diarrhée et les vomissements sont les principaux symptômes.</li> <li>La diarrhée et les vomissements peuvent causer une perte de liquides, aussi appelée déshydratation.</li> <li>Si la déshydratation est grave, les patients pourraient devoir recevoir des liquides par intraveineuse (IV) à l'hôpital.</li> <li>La gastroentérite virale peut se propager par le partage de nourriture, d'eau et d'ustensiles. Un lavage de mains fréquent peut aider à prévenir la propagation de l'infections aux autres.</li> <li>La gastroentérite virale n'est habituellement pas une maladie grave, mais les personnes qui ont un système immunitaire compromis sont à risque d'une infection plus grave.</li> </ul><h2>La diarrhée et les vomissements sont les principaux symptômes de la gastroentérite virale</h2> <h3>Les principaux symptômes sont :</h3> <ul> <li>diarrhée;</li> <li>vomissements.</li> </ul> <h3>Un enfant atteint de gastroentérite virale peut aussi présenter :</h3> <ul> <li>des maux de tête;</li> <li>de la fièvre;</li> <li>des crampes ou des douleurs à l'estomac.</li> </ul> <p>En général, les symptômes se manifestent un ou deux jours après que la personne a contracté le virus et peuvent durer d'1 à 10 jours.</p><h2>La gastroentérite virale est contagieuse</h2> <h3>La gastroentérite se propage par l'un des moyens suivants :</h3> <ul> <li>partage d'aliments, d'eau ou d'ustensiles comme des fourchettes et des couteaux avec une personne atteinte du virus;</li> <li>omettre de se laver les mains après avoir touché des objets qui peuvent porter le virus.</li> </ul> <h2>Tout le monde peut contracter la gastroentérite virale</h2> <p>Des personnes de tous âges et origines peuvent contracter le virus. Cependant, différents groupes contractent différents virus :</p> <ul> <li>les bébés et les tout-petits ont tendance à contracter plus souvent les rotavirus et les torovirus;</li> <li>les adénovirus et les astrovirus ont tendance à provoquer une diarrhée la plupart du temps chez les jeunes enfants;</li> <li>les virus de type Norwalk sont plus propices à provoquer une diarrhée chez les enfants plus vieux et les adultes.</li> </ul><h2>Traiter la gastroentérite virale</h2> <p>Le plus important pour traiter la gastroentérite virale chez les enfants et les adultes est de prévenir la déshydratation, qui est une perte importante de liquides. Demandez à votre médecin comment prévenir la déshydratation si votre enfant présente des symptômes.</p> <h3>Voici des symptômes de déshydratation :</h3> <ul> <li>bouche sèche ou pâteuse;</li> <li>soif;</li> <li>faible débit d'urine ou aucune urine; l'urine est concentrée et jaune foncé;</li> <li>absence de larmes;</li> <li>irritabilité ou mauvaise humeur;</li> <li>ennui ou désintéressement apparents;</li> <li>mal de tête;</li> <li>étourdissements;</li> <li>crampes;</li> <li>frissons;</li> <li>fatigue.</li> </li> </ul> <h3>La déshydratation avancée peut causer :</h3> <ul> <li>l'enfoncement des yeux;</li> <li>l'enfoncement de la fontanelle (région molle) sur le dessus de la tête d'un bébé;</li> <li>nausées ou vomissements;</li> <li>léthargie ou coma.</li> </ul> <p>Si votre enfant est très déshydraté, il pourrait devoir être traité à l'hôpital, où on administre les liquides par un cathéter intraveineux (IV) au besoin.</p> <h2>La gastroentérite virale est rarement une maladie grave</h2> <p>Pour la plupart des gens, la gastroentérite virale n'est pas une maladie grave. Les gens atteints se rétablissent presque toujours complètement sans avoir de problèmes à long terme. La rapidité du rétablissement de votre enfant dépend du virus qui a causé la maladie.</p> <p>La gastroentérite virale peut être une maladie grave chez les personnes qui ne peuvent pas boire suffisamment de liquide pour remplacer ceux qu'elles perdent dans les vomissements ou la diarrhée. Les bébés, les jeunes enfants et les personnes qui ne peuvent prendre soin d'elles-mêmes, comme les personnes avec une déficience ou les personnes âgées, sont à risque de déshydratation après avoir perdu trop de liquide corporel. </p> <p>Les personnes dont le système immunitaire est compromis sont à risque de déshydratation parce qu'elles peuvent avoir des symptômes plus graves que les personnes saines, et les vomissements et la diarrhée peuvent être plus importants. Les personnes dont les symptômes sont importants pourraient devoir demeurer à l'hôpital pour remédier à la déshydratation ou la prévenir.</p><h2>Si votre enfant est hospitalisé, aidez à empécher la propagation de la gastroentérite virale</h2> <ul> <li>Votre enfant pourrait être placé dans une chambre privée et ne sera pas en mesure de visiter la salle de jeu avant qu'il ne se sente mieux. Demandez à l'éducateur en milieu pédiatrique d'apporter des jouets et des jeux à la chambre de votre enfant.</li> <li>Lavez-vous les mains souvent, avant de toucher à votre enfant et après avoir quitté sa chambre. Exigez du personnel de l'hôpital qu'il se lave les mains aussi.</li> <li>Si vous-même ou toute autre personne ayant rendu visite à votre enfant développez les symptômes de la gastroentérite virale, dites-le au médecin ou à l'infirmier de votre enfant.</li> <li>Si votre enfant a des symptômes de gastroentérite virale et qu'il est à l'hôpital, le personnel qui en prend soin de lui devrait porter des gants et une blouse.</li> </ul>

 

 

Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)907.000000000000Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)VEnglishInfectious DiseasesChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)Stomach;Small Intestine;Large Intestine/ColonImmune systemConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)Abdominal pain;Diarrhea;Fever;Headache;Vomiting2009-11-10T05:00:00ZLaurie Streitenberger, RN, BSc, CIC;Anne Matlow, MD, FRCPC8.0000000000000042.0000000000000774.000000000000Health (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>Viral gastroenteritis, often called "stomach flu," is an infection that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Learn the symptoms and treatment of viral gastroenteritis. </p><h2>What is viral gastroenteritis?</h2> <p>Gastroenteritis (say: GAS-tro-enter-EYE-tis) is the inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis means the inflammation is caused by infection with a virus. It often causes vomiting (throwing up) or diarrhea. </p> <p>Viral gastroenteritis is often called "stomach flu," but it is not caused by flu (influenza) viruses. Viral gastroenteritis can be caused by many different viruses, including rotaviruses, torovirus, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses and a group of Norwalk-like viruses. </p> <h3>Viral gastroenteritis is NOT caused by any of the following, although the symptoms may be similar:</h3> <ul> <li>bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli </li> <li>parasites such as Giardia </li> <li>medications </li> <li>other medical conditions </li> </ul><h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Viral gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and intestines.</li><li>The main symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. </li><li>Diarrhea and vomiting can cause a loss of fluids, also called dehydration. </li><li>If dehydration is severe, patients may have to be given fluid intravenously (IV) at the hospital. </li><li>Viral gastroenteritis can spread by sharing food, water and utensils. Frequent hand washing can help prevent the spread of infection to others. </li> <li>Viral gastroenteritis is usually not a serious illness. However, people who have weak immune systems are at risk for more serious infection.</li></ul><h2>Diarrhea and vomiting are the main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis</h2> <h3>The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are:</h3> <ul> <li>diarrhea </li> <li>vomiting </li> </ul> <h3>A child with viral gastroenteritis may also have:</h3> <ul> <li>headache </li> <li>fever </li> <li>stomach cramps or a sore stomach </li> </ul> <p>In general, the symptoms begin one to two days after catching the virus. They can last for one to 10 days.</p><h2>Viral gastroenteritis can be spread</h2> <h3>Viral gastroenteritis can spread through the following methods:</h3> <ul> <li>sharing food, water or eating utensils such as forks and knives with someone who has the virus </li> <li>not washing hands after touching items that may have the virus on their surface </li> </ul> <h2>Anyone can catch viral gastroenteritis</h2> <p>People of all ages and backgrounds can get viral gastroenteritis. However, different groups often get different viruses:</p> <ul> <li>Babies and toddlers tend to get rotaviruses and torovirus more often. </li> <li>Adenoviruses and astroviruses tend to cause diarrhea mostly in young children. </li> <li>Norwalk-like viruses are more likely to cause diarrhea in older children and adults. </li> </ul><h2>Treating viral gastroenteritis</h2> <p>The most important way of treating viral gastroenteritis in children and adults is to prevent dehydration. Dehydration means severe loss of fluids. Ask your doctor how to prevent dehydration if your child has the symptoms. </p> <h3>Symptoms of dehydration include:</h3> <ul> <li>dry or sticky mouth </li> <li>thirst </li> <li>low or no urine output; concentrated urine appears dark yellow </li> <li>not producing tears </li> <li>being irritable or cranky </li> <li>seeming bored or uninterested </li> <li>headache </li> <li>dizziness </li> <li>cramps </li> <li>chills </li> <li>fatigue </li> </ul> <h3>In severe cases, dehydration can cause:</h3> <ul> <li>sunken eyes </li> <li>sunken fontanelle (soft spot) on the top of a baby's head </li> <li>nausea or vomiting </li> <li>lethargy or coma </li> </ul> <p>If your child becomes very dehydrated, your child may have to be treated at the hospital. In the hospital, fluids can be replaced through an intravenous line (IV) if necessary. </p> <h2>Viral gastroenteritis is rarely a serious illness</h2> <p>For most people, viral gastroenteritis is not a serious illness. People who get viral gastroenteritis almost always recover completely without any long-term problems. How fast a child recovers from viral gastroenteritis partly depends on which virus is causing the illness. </p> <p>Viral gastroenteritis can be a serious illness in people who are unable to drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea. Babies, young children and people who are unable to care for themselves, such as the disabled or elderly, are at risk for dehydration from losing too much of the body's water. </p> <p>People with immune system problems are at risk for dehydration because they may get more severe symptoms than healthy people, and have more vomiting and diarrhea. People with severe symptoms may need to stay in the hospital for treatment to correct or prevent dehydration. </p><h2>You can prevent viral gastroenteritis with good hand washing</h2> <h3>To avoid catching or spreading viral gastroenteritis, you should do the following things:</h3> <ul> <li>Wash hands well and often. This is especially important at hospitals and other medical facilities. </li> <li>Do not visit anyone in hospital when you are ill with symptoms of viral gastroenteritis. Ask other family members and friends to do the same. </li> </ul><h2>If your child is in hospital, help stop viral gastroenteritis from spreading</h2> <ul> <li>Your child may be placed in a single room and will not be able to visit the playroom until they are feeling better. Ask the Child Life Specialist to bring toys and supplies to your child's room. </li> <li>Wash your hands often before and after touching your child and before leaving your child's room. Expect hand washing by hospital staff as well. </li> <li>If you or anyone else who has visited becomes ill with symptoms of viral gastroenteritis, let your child's doctor or nurse know.</li> <li>If your child has symptoms of viral gastroenteritis and they are in the hospital, all staff caring for your child should wear gloves and a gown. </li> </ul><img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/viral_gastroenteritis_flu.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/viral_gastroenteritis_flu.jpgstomachfluViral gastroenteritis (stomach flu)
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