Ugh, what could be worse than a stomach bug? The vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and more.
Despite the fact that it's so common—there are at least 20 million stomach-flu cases in the U.S each year—many people don't know much about it. For one, it's not really the flu!
A flu shot won't help
When people say "the flu" they mean influenza, a virus that circulates the globe each year attacking the nose and throat as it spreads through communities in waves. Flu shots protect against this virus—not ones that cause viral gastroenteritis.
Culprit, thy name is norovirus
Stop blaming the flu and instead know the true name of your trouble: Norovirus.
This is a family of viruses most often to blame for adult gastroenteritis, although others include adenovirus and astrovirus.
It's extremely contagious
Stomach flu spreads via the "fecal-oral route," which is just as gross as it sounds. Basically, viruses from infected feces or vomit find their way into our mouths. Very diligent hand washing is your best defense, according to Dr. Rogg.
You can get it from food
Viral gasteroenteritis isn't exactly the same thing as food poisoning, which refers to any illness caused by food contaminants, including dangerous toxin-producing bacteria like salmonella. But norovirus is the number-one cause of foodborne illness in the U.S.
These germs are tough
Compared to other viruses, noroviruses can be surprisingly hardy and live for days on household surfaces, which is why they spread easily.
Symptoms come on slowly
Diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain don't hit you immediately after you're infected with a gastrointestinal virus, but typically develop gradually, over one or two days, Dr. Madanick explains.
It gets better on its own
Both stomach flu and other types of food poisoning are what doctors call "self-limiting," meaning they play themselves out and rarely require medical treatment.
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