Last updated: 27 July What is viral gastroenteritis? What are the symptoms? How is it spread? Viral gastroenteritis is highly infectious and is spread by the vomit or faeces of an infected person through: person-to-person contact, for example shaking hands with someone who has been sick and has the virus on their hands contaminated objects contaminated food or drink Infection may also be spread through aerosolised particles when people vomit.
Who is at risk? Viral gastroenteritis can affect people of all ages. How is it prevented? How is it diagnosed? How is it treated? People with vomiting or diarrhoea should: rest at home and not attend work.
Infants and children attending childcare or school should be excluded from attending for 48 hours after the resolution of symptoms. These precautions should continue until 48 hours after diarrhoea or vomiting ceases.
This includes people who prepare food in the home or working in the food industry. Avoid undiluted fruit juice and soft drinks as they may increase dehydration and diarrhoea. Rehydration drinks that replace fluids and salts are available from chemists.
Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Stomach flu: How long am I contagious? Products and services. How long am I contagious if I have the stomach flu? Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Norovirus. Give them paracetamol if they have an uncomfortable fever or aches and pains. Young children may find liquid paracetamol easier to swallow than tablets. Use special rehydration drinks made from sachets bought from pharmacies if they're dehydrated. Your GP or pharmacist can advise on how much to give your child.
Don't give them antidiarrhoeal and anti-vomiting medication, unless advised to by your GP or pharmacist. Getting medical advice for your child You don't usually need to see your GP if you think your child has gastroenteritis, as it should get better on its own, and taking them to a GP surgery can put others at risk. Phone the service or your GP if you're concerned about your child, or they: have symptoms of dehydration , such as passing less urine than normal, being unusually irritable or unresponsive, pale or mottled skin, or cold hands and feet have blood in their poo or green vomit are vomiting constantly and are unable to keep down any fluids or feeds have had diarrhoea for more than a week have been vomiting for three days or more have signs of a more serious illness, such as a high fever over 38C or How gastroenteritis is spread The bugs that cause gastroenteritis can spread very easily from person to person.
You can catch the infection if small particles of vomit or poo from an infected person get into your mouth, such as through: close contact with someone with gastroenteritis — they may breathe out small particles of vomit touching contaminated surfaces or objects eating contaminated food — this can happen if an infected person doesn't wash their hands before handling food, or you eat food that has been in contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, or hasn't been stored and cooked at the correct temperatures read more about the causes of food poisoning A person with gastroenteritis is most infectious from when their symptoms start until 48 hours after all their symptoms have passed, although they may also be infectious for a short time before and after this.
Preventing gastroenteritis It's not always possible to avoid getting gastroenteritis, but following the advice below can help stop it spreading: Stay off work, school or nursery until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed.
You or your child should also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time. Ensure you and your child wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food.
Don't rely on alcohol hand gels, as they're not always effective. Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated. It's best to use a bleach-based household cleaner. Wash contaminated items of clothing or bedding separately on a hot wash. Don't share towels, flannels, cutlery or utensils while you or your child is ill. Flush away any poo or vomit in the toilet or potty and clean the surrounding area.
Practice good food hygiene. Make sure food is properly refrigerated, always cook your food thoroughly, and never eat food that is past its use-by date — read more about preventing food poisoning.
Tweet Click here to share this page on Twitter This will open a new window. Print Click here to print this page This will open your print options in a new window. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window. Last updated:. How can we improve this page? Email Address e.
Message Maximum of characters. Send feedback. Also on NHS inform.
0コメント