While most cases of the so-called stomach flu are also caused by viruses, they’re from a totally different set of germs. The formal name for this intestinal inflammation–which usually comes on quickly and, thankfully, also leaves quickly–is “viral gastroenteritis.”
“When people have acute gastrointestinal events [when] they feel stomachache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, it’s usually one of these viruses,” says Deborah A. Fisher, MD, associate professor of medicine in the division of gastroenterology at Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina.
The most common viral culprit for the stomach flu? Norovirus, famous for causing outbreaks on cruise ships and in other close quarters like schools and nursing homes. “Noroviruses are hard to clean and easy to transmit,” says Dr. Fisher.
In the U.S. and other parts of North America, norovirus is most active between October and April. This coincides roughly with actual flu season, which may account for some of the confusion.
How does the stomach flu spread?
While you can get many of the same symptoms from eating contaminated food (aka food poisoning), most cases of the stomach flu are passed from person to person. Food poisoning is not spread person to person.
When is the stomach flu contagious?
Unfortunately, the different viruses responsible for stomach flu can be contagious before you even know you–or someone else–is sick.
How to prevent the stomach flu
Once you have the stomach flu, there’s little you can do but suffer through it, making sure you drink lots of fluids so you don’t get dehydrated
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