Stomach Flu
I know some of you will be upset that I use the nickname "stomach flu" when referring to viral gastroenteritis. Yes, I know that it is not a real flu and is not related to influenza - Annie Pryor
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There Is No Such Thing As The Stomach Flu
Along with holiday cheer and consumer crowds, the last few months of the year bring many families too close to the porcelain god. Often known as the dreaded “stomach flu,” the infectious and highly contagious illness that manifests as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea isn’t caused by the influenza "flu" virus, but a viral, and rarely bacterial infection that causes inflammation (“itis” in medical jargon) in the stomach (“gastro”) and intestines (“enter”), hence the term viral gastroenteritis.
Usually caused by norovirus or rotavirus, the icky stomach illness has nothing to do with influenza, a severe upper respiratory infection caused by one of three classes of influenza virus. But that…
Resources
How Pedialyte got Pedialit
Inside Pedialyte’s journey from toddler flu remedy to hangover fix.
Some viruses travel in vehicles made of our cells to make us sicker
The team believes that both rotavirus and norovirus both use vesicles to travel all the time, because there’s evidence of them in early images of norovirus from the 1970s; scientists just didn’t realize what they were at the time, Altan-Bonnet explains. Virologists are not sure, however, how many kinds of viruses also use this type of mass transportation. If scientists can isolate more of these viral packages, figuring out how to destroy them could be a new form of antivirals.
When a nasty stomach virus strikes…
Because people can continue to be contagious for a while, do everyone a favor, and stay home for a few days (and keep the kids home from school). Remember, try not to prepare food for at least two days after symptoms go away. And keep washing those hands.
Why do you get the stomach flu?
Why is it so hard to avoid a virus that forces us into the bathroom and makes us stick our heads in the toilet bowl?
Do You Have a Stomach Bug, or Was It That Chicken Salad?
Have you been hit by a stomach virus? Or maybe it was food poisoning? It's good to know which it is, so you know whether or not you are contagious or if other people shouldn't eat the mystery meat in your fridge.
Dreaded ‘stomach flu’ wreaks havoc on families — and it’s only going to get worse
Once the virus hits, the attacks are often swift and brutal. The stomach and intestines become inflamed. Bouts of vomiting and diarrhea follow that leave victims weak and exhausted. And since the bug is extremely contagious, it can spread easily to others, especially in places like day-care centers, schools, cruise ships and nursing homes.
Four Differences Between the Stomach Flu and Food Poisoning
Unfortunately, the stomach flu and food poisoning share almost identical traits making it nigh impossible distinguish them one another...
The Dreaded Stomach Flu: Fast Facts for Your Family
If you’ve ever had the stomach flu, I’m sure you can relate that it is pretty miserable. In my adult life, I have even ended up in the hospital because I got so dehydrated and weak from a case of the stomach flu and needed IV fluids to help me recover.
The Stomach-Flu Mystery
Why is norovirus, which causes most cases of gastroenteritis, so easily spread? Scientists built a vomiting machine to find out.
What to Blame for Your Stomach Bug? Not Always the Last Thing You Ate
Most food-borne illnesses are caused by viruses or bacteria, such as norovirus, Staphylococcus aureus, campylobacter, salmonella, E. coli and Bacillus cereus.
There Is No Such Thing As The Stomach Flu
Next time a friend or family member loses his or her lunch, extend empathy for their enteritis; good vibes for their gastric distress, but don’t call it “the flu.” Let’s make a pledge to help vaccinate against the viral spread of misinformation. Repeat after me: There is no such thing as the “stomach flu.”
Stop the Stomach Flu
I know some of you will be upset that I use the nickname "stomach flu" when referring to viral gastroenteritis. Yes, I know that it is not a real flu and is not related to influenza. What I didn't realize was how ANGRY some people would get when I call it "the stomach flu". Influenza is primarily a respiratory illness BUT often causes vomiting and diarrhea. Stomach bugs can also cause headache, fever, and aches. So, lots of people won't know for sure if they have influenza or a stomach bug. However, all of the advice and tips that I give to avoid getting and spreading the stomach flu are also applicable to influenza.
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