Shigella – Shigellosis - General Information. For other causes of stomach flu (gastroenteritis), the reader is suggested to look up the specific infectious agent to determine how long it will remain viable and contagious on surfaces. Once the symptoms resolve, an individual may be considered "cured" of stomach flu. However, antibiotics are indicated when supportive therapy does not suffice or in immunosuppressed patients. Because this is an introductory article about stomach flu, readers are recommended to check the incubation periods and contagious periods of whatever infectious agent is thought to be causing the problem (for example, Salmonella or E. coli). Occasionally, the stomach flu "symptoms" progress and goes on to become another more severe disease (for example, salmonellosis or shigellosis). Stomach Flu: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment. In: Post TW, ed. Freedman D, Leder K. 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Stomach flu is contagious when the organisms that cause stomach flu are spread to uninfected individuals. The most common symptoms of the stomach flu include: Because stomach flu means gastroenteritis and, because when the term “stomach flu” is used, the readers usually mean acute gastroenteritis caused by viruses (mainly Norovirus); the emphasis of this article will be on Norovirus- caused gastroenteritis although other causes will be mentioned. Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis of Yersinia Infections. Although the symptoms can be similar, flu is much worse. For example, most common cause of stomach flu is Norovirus. Bacterial Gastroenteritis. : in severe infection or wound infection. Nontyphoidal Salmonella: Gastrointestinal infection and carriage. Yersinia enterocolitica (Yersiniosis) - Information for Health & Lab Professionals. © 1996-2021 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Written and peer-reviewed by physicians—but use at your own risk. Consequently, people should contact their health-care professional or emergency department if one or more the following occurs: ©1996-2021 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Tauxe RV. Gastroenteritis may be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites or even certain food ingredients. These infections are contagious, especially among members of the same family and kids in childcare or preschools. Bacterial gastroenteritis is caused by a variety of organisms, including Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, and noncholera Vibrio species. Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of Campylobacter infection. Is the stomach flu contagious? What causes it? The most common cause of stomach flu, noroviruses, can live on surfaces for up to about two weeks. Most salmonella infections can be classified as stomach flu (gastroenteritis). Viruses that cause gastroenteritis can enter the intestine from contaminated food or water, or through contact with an infected person. Infection is treated with antibiotics. In: Post TW, ed. Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED) - Surveillance & Data Systems. In: Post TW, ed. In: Post TW, ed. Goldberg MB. About Parvovirus . ... Gastroenteritis refers to … Shigella infection: Treatment and prevention in adults. Gastroenteritis can be chronic (where it lasts for more than two weeks) or acute (occurs suddenly and tends to resolve quickly). Gastroenteritis in dogs is a condition that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines). Summary of Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Conditions — United States, 2013. Some of the contagious causes of gastroenteritis (most notably, Norovirus) can be spread by kissing and other close personal contact or on surfaces where droplets containing viruses or other agents survive. 2017 Infectious Diseases Society of America Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Infectious Diarrhea. The primary symptom of stomach flu or gastroenteritis is diarrhea that does not contain blood usually accompanied by nausea, some occasional vomiting, and abdominal cramping. Some of the contagious causes of gastroenteritis (most notably, Some viruses can even be spread to household pets such as, Fortunately, most causes of contagious gastroenteritis are not spread by, Noncontagious gastroenteritis such as that related to side effects of medicine or, Bacteria, for example, salmonella and E. coli, Parasites,for example giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium, Gastroenteritis symptoms that last more than five days, A person is immunocompromised, has other medical problems, or is. Clinical features can be mild, manifesting as abdominal pain and diarrhea, or severe, including vomiting and watery or inflammatory diarrhea, fever, and hypotension. Bányai K, Estes MK, Martella V, Parashar UD. Barr W, Smith A. Dogs and Cats. Adequate food and water hygiene is crucial for preventing disease. In: Post TW, ed. Cholera - Vibrio cholerae infection - Antibiotic Treatment. The common cold and flu are both contagious viral infections of the respiratory tract. Birdwood G. Antibiotics prolong salmonella excretion. Food Intolerance. Cholera: Clinical Features, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. It will often cause diarrhoea either with or without vomiting . CDC Features - Salmonella and Chicken: What You Should Know and What You Can Do. When should I contact a doctor for the stomach flu? Necrotizing enterocolitis associated with Clostridium perfringens type A in previously healthy North American adults. “stomach flu,“ is an inflammation of the intestines that can be caused by viruses, parasites, bacteria, food allergies, overuse of alcohol, and psychological reactions. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is not recommended as an empiric treatment for infectious gastroenteritis because of the high prevalence of resistant organisms. Bacterial gastroenteritis is usually self-limiting and only requires supportive therapy. See additional information. Terms of Use. Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day. Influenza viruses do not cause stomach flu. There are many causes of stomach flu. Norovirus symptoms usually last about one to two days and is sometimes termed the 24 hour stomach flu. Sobel J, Mixter CG, Kolhe P, et al. Humphries RM, Linscott AJ. Most commo n pathogen responsible for foodborne gastroenteritis in the US [18] Highly contagious: low infective dose required (> 500 pathogens) Transmission. Infection may be foodborne, fecal-oral, or involve direct or indirect animal transmission. In: Post TW, ed. In: Post TW, ed. Owners may confuse an infection known as bordetella or "kennel cough" with vomiting because the dog may be gagging, bringing up mucus, or producing foamy fluids. Pathogenesis of Salmonella gastroenteritis. What are the signs and symptoms of the stomach flu? In: Post TW, ed. Epidemiology and causes of acute diarrhea in resource-rich countries. Gastroenteritis. like: For contagious causes of stomach flu, many individuals have symptoms that last about 2 to 5 days, after which the symptoms tend to resolve. Adams D, Fullerton K, Jajosky R et al. Laboratory Diagnosis of Bacterial Gastroenteritis. In: Post TW, ed. The incubation time for gastroenteritis varies according to the particular cause. Most commonly, parvovirus causes gastroenteritis or inflammation of the stomach and intestines. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. McDonald LC, Gerding DN, Johnson S, et al. LaRocque R, Harris JB. Treatment and prevention of Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection. Oral cholera vaccine for traveler's diarrhea prophylaxis. Read more about how the stomach flu spreads. In: Post TW, ed. However, many other causes of gastroenteritis that are not contagious, Hohmann EL. How long do the contagious causes of the stomach flu last on surfaces? How is the stomach flu spread (how do you get it)? : indicated in suspected invasive bacterial enteritis, severe illness, or, ), required hospitalization, or stool tests positive for, Campylobacter enteritis (campylobacteriosis), Direct contact with infected animals (cats, dogs, pigs) or animal products, Salmonellosis (Salmonella gastroenteritis), pathogen responsible for bacterial foodborne, (especially a concern in areas with poor sanitation), unpasteurized milk products and raw, unwashed vegetables, highly contagious; very low infective dose required (, raw/undercooked pork, unpasteurized milk products, undercooked or poorly refrigerated meat, legumes, Wounds infected by contaminated sea water. The incubation period ranges from several hours to two days. This is the most common cause for vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Bonheur JL. Food intolerance can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Nickonchuk T, Lindblad AJ, Kolber MR. Zollner-Schwetz I, Krause R. Therapy of acute gastroenteritis: role of antibiotics. Contagious causes of stomach flu (gastroenteritis) are spread usually through contamination of food or water or by person-to-person (fecal – oral route) spread via contaminated droplets containing infectious organisms. gastroenteritis, and include viruses like the Norovirus and Adenovirus. Cleaning surfaces like doorknobs or kitchen counters with a diluted bleach and water solution can help reduce the chance of infection. Kotton CN, Hohmann EL. Agha R, Goldberg MB. Allos BM. References:[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15], To remember that Campylobacter jejuni grows best at hot temperatures, think: “There's no camping without a campfire.”, References:[5][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. Read our disclaimer. In general it can cause high temperature, respiratory problems (rhinitis or bronchial pneumonia), digestive problems (gastroenteritis), ocular, cutaneous or nervous problems, and may often be fatal. LaRocque R, Harris JB. Kasper DL, Fauci AS, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Lameson JL, Loscalzo J. Tauxe RV. There are many causes of stomach flu, but the most common causes are contagious In: Post TW, ed. In: Anand BS. Gastroenteritis is a better term because when some individuals use the term "stomach flu," they get the term confused with the flu (influenza) and the viruses that cause the flu. However, it's not unusual for that same individual to develop stomach flu again at some point in time if they are exposed to other causes, or in some individuals, the same infectious cause. Causes of Acute Infectious Diarrhea and Other Foodborne Illnesses in Resource-rich Settings. Kennel cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that spreads when dogs live or socialize together in close quarters, like a kennel or dog park. Gastroenteritis, a.k.a. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. How long is the stomach flu contagious (incubation period)? Wanke CA. In: Post TW, ed. It has an incubation period of about 12 - 48 hours, and can cause the person to be contagious during the incubation period and for as long as they shed virus (usually about three days after symptoms stop but sometimes up to two weeks). Salmonella infection is usually caused by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. Many things cause gastroenteritis, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and poor hygiene. Stool cultures may be considered in severe gastroenteritis. Shane AL, Mody RK, Crump JA, et al. The timeframe or how long the infected person remains contagious depends on the infecting cause. Stool analysis may reveal leukocytes or blood in certain cases. Other infectious agents such as other viral strains, bacteria, and other infectious agents have incubation periods and contagious periods unique to them. Doctors usually base the diagnosis on the person's history and physical exam; some patients will need further blood and fecal tests done to determine the cause, especially in more severe infections. Consequently, is important to try to avoid contaminating surfaces while you are infected with the virus and equally important, anyone not infected individual should wash their hands with soap and water after touching surfaces that might be contaminated. Stomach flu or gastroenteritis is a general term for a number of inflammatory problems that occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Many people get contagious stomach flu from different causes, but in general, they recover from the infection in about 2 to 5 days and usually do not contact a health-care professional. Clinical practice guidelines for clostridium difficile infection in adults and children: 2017 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Shigella infection: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. Wanke CA. Switaj T, Winter K, Christensen S. Diagnosis and Management of Foodborne Illness. Noncontagious causes (allergies, toxins, medication side effects) may produce symptoms very rapidly (minutes to hours) and in some people, the symptoms may become so severe that they require emergency care. The most common causes are contagious gastroenteritis, and include: However, many other causes of gastroenteritis that are not contagious include: Many medications list gastroenteritis as a common side effect. Shigella infection: Epidemiology, microbiology, and pathogenesis. Brown T. FDA Approves First Cholera Vaccine in the US. Most doctors consider gastroenteritis to be a self-limiting disease. In: Post TW, ed. Agha R, Goldberg MB. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and small intestinal lining. Acute Diarrhea in Adults. Canine parvovirus (also called parvo) in dogs is a very contagious and potentially fatal viral disease seen in dogs. Approach to the adult with acute diarrhea in resource-rich settings. The most rapid incubation time is usually with viral illnesses (for example, for Norovirus, which is about 1 -2 days), and the infected person may become contagious during this time without symptoms of nausea or diarrhea. Dogs and cats are popular pets but can carry infections such as: ... and C. jejuni is now the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis. Unfortunately some people, especially the elderly, young children, and individuals that have multiple medical problems may develop more severe symptoms. Viral gastroenteritis. Tauxe RV. What is the stomach flu (gastroenteritis)? Epidemiology of yersiniosis. In: Post TW, ed.