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What are stomach flu symptoms?

Wondering if you've got stomach flu? Here's a quick guide to the symptoms.

By Steve PollakWed, Dec 08 2010 at 6:00 PM EST
 4

Young woman with stomach flu symptoms. Photo: iStockphoto
With flu season underway and the weather only getting colder outside, many people are wondering about stomach flu symptoms.
 
After all, this is the height of flu season.
 
However, the condition typically ascribed to "stomach flu" is not caused by the influenza virus.
 
The condition known as stomach flu, gastroenteritis, is actually caused by a variety of viruses and results in vomiting or diarrhea.
 
Because of the vomiting and diarrhea, it is important to drink lots of fluids through the duration of the infection.
 
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that families with infants and young children keep a supply of oral rehydration solution at home at all times and use the solution when diarrhea first occurs in the child.
 
According to the CDC, Many different viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses (types 40 and 41), sapoviruses and astroviruses.
 
Here are the typical stomach flu symptoms:
  • Watery diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Abdominal cramps
The CDC reports that the stomach flu symptoms begin appearing one to two days after being infected with the virus and can continue for up to 10 days afterward.
 
The illness is contagious but it is not serious in most cases. Most people will recover without any long-term effects.
 
But, the CDC advises that infants, young people and others who cannot care for themselves, such as the elderly, must take precautions not to become too dehydrated.
 
In the United States, most stomach flu outbreaks occur during the months of October through April.
 
Know more about stomach flu symptoms? Leave us a note in the comments below.
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Related Topics: Flu, Health & Well Being

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anonymous
Johnexo 02/22/2011 03:19 AM

Some food are found to cause bloating. So it is advisable to bring down the consumption of such food materials. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, sprouts, onions and garlic are considered typical tummy bloaters.
Bloated Stomach Symptoms

anonymous
liam 01/08/2011 15:10 PM

really bad diarrhea vomiting cramps statard 2 days ago goinng toilet every 15mini for diarrhea & vomiting can't stop bin in last 2 day's headache

anonymous
I barely had the energy to write in 12/16/2010 03:17 AM

Really tired, you can tell by the mistakes I made in my comment. Sorry !

anonymous
Steve Whalley 12/16/2010 02:57 AM

This illness started out by making me feel tired, then achy. I ate a real good ham and bean soup, followed by two plates of spaghetti with meat sauce.The food did not seem to digest. I started to experience an abnormal frequency in flatulation, about every few minutes for the first five or six hours and then it slowed, and almost stopped. Next, I began to feel nauseous. It was probably about another four to six hours before I had to move quickly for the front door to throw up. About a plate.... More

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