Signs and Symptoms of a Stomach Virus
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Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD
A stomach virus, also known as viral gastroenteritis, is a condition that causes symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Norovirus, the most common cause of stomach viruses, causes an estimated 19 to 21 million stomach viruses each year. You may also hear someone call a stomach virus the "stomach flu," but it is not a flu like influenza is.
Stomach virus symptoms are generally similar to other gastroenteritis symptoms. Gastroenteritis is inflammation in your stomach and intestinal lining. You usually experience symptoms about 12 to 48 hours after you come into contact with a virus. Symptoms are often acute, meaning they begin suddenly and last a short period of time. They typically resolve within one week.
While unpleasant, stomach virus symptoms usually resolve on their own. The key is to minimize the risk of dehydration due to fluid loss. Dehydration can prolong illness and cause complications, especially in young children and older adults as well as people who have chronic conditions.
Nausea
Nausea is one of the most common stomach virus symptoms. A viral infection can cause intestinal cramping and loose stools that can make you feel sick to your stomach. The virus can also inflame your stomach lining. You may lose your appetite.
Nausea can make it difficult to perform tasks that require movement. Resting or lying still can reduce discomfort. Symptoms like sweating, increased saliva, feeling weak, and sweating can accompany nausea.
The BRAT diet, which stands for bananas, rice, apples, and toast, can be helpful for reducing nausea when you're ready to eat.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common viral gastroenteritis symptom. The virus affects your intestine's ability to absorb nutrients and water, which means that stool and water pass through your intestine without being absorbed.
A stomach virus typically causes three or more episodes of loose or watery stool per day. Bloody stool or bloody diarrhea could indicate another illness.
Reach out to a healthcare provider if your diarrhea lasts longer than 14 days. Prolonged diarrhea can affect your body's ability to absorb nutrients and affect the balance of electrolytes in your body. Electrolytes are essential minerals, including calcium, potassium, and sodium, that help your body use fluids and function efficiently.
Vomiting
Some people with stomach flu experience vomiting. The onset of vomiting can be very rapid. You might start vomiting anywhere from 12 to 48 hours after exposure.
Continued vomiting may make it difficult for you to take in enough fluids. This can increase your risk of dehydration. It can also put you at risk for electrolyte imbalances because you lose electrolytes when you vomit.
Stomach Pain
Intense cramping, nausea, and inflammation can lead to stomach pain. The pain usually isn't concentrated in one area: it's often more evenly distributed throughout your stomach.
The pain may worsen between 24 and 48 hours after your symptoms begin, but it will likely subside with time. Reach out to a healthcare provider if the pain doesn't subside or gets worse. Most stomach viruses will not cause severe abdominal pain, and pain so severe that your stomach hurts when you touch it requires medical attention.
Low-Grade Fever
A stomach virus may cause a low-grade fever (less than 102 degrees). A fever can also make you feel tired or low in energy. Cool compresses, cool baths, and drinking cold fluids may help.
A stomach virus does not usually cause a fever greater than 102 degrees. A higher fever in addition to other stomach virus symptoms could indicate the presence of a bacterial infection or other condition.
Headache and Body Aches
Some people with a stomach virus may experience headaches and body aches. These symptoms aren't as common as symptoms like nausea and diarrhea. However, they can occur, particularly if you have difficulty drinking fluids due to nausea and vomiting.
Dehydration
Dehydration can be a secondary symptom of a stomach virus. Vomiting or passing loose stools makes it more difficult for your body to absorb water. You also might experience dehydration because you have difficulty keeping fluids down due to nausea.
Dehydration symptoms include:
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Urinating or sweating less than usual
Darker-colored urine
Dry mouth
Rapid pulse
Thirst
Irritability
Dehydration reduces electrolyte levels in your body. Drinking oral rehydration solutions or eating ice chips or popsicles can help.
Symptoms in Children
In industrialized countries (including the United States, Canada, northern European countries, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan), children under 5 years old experience an estimated 2.2 episodes of stomach virus with diarrhea each year.
Norovirus and rotavirus are the most common causes of stomach virus in children. These viruses can sometimes cause vomiting without diarrhea. Children with a rotavirus infection might also experience respiratory symptoms, while those with a norovirus infection might experience muscle pain.
Like adults, children can experience symptoms such as fever, stomach cramping, or diarrhea. However, very young children may not be able to describe these symptoms, which can make them more difficult to recognize and treat.
Stomach viruses can be serious in children younger than 24 months.
Severe symptoms in infants and children include:
Change in mental state, such as irritability
Diarrhea for more than one day
High fever (older children) or any fever (infants)
Frequent vomiting or loose stools
Black and tarry stools
Bloody stools or stools that contain pus
Severe abdominal pain
Dehydration in a young child can require hospitalization. Reach out to a healthcare provider if your child experiences any of the following dehydration symptoms:
Unusually sleepy or fussy
Tearless crying
Dry, chapped lips
Hands and feet that feel cool to the touch
Fewer than six wet diapers a day (infant)
Rapid breathing
Sunken soft spots
When to See a Healthcare Provider
While stomach virus symptoms are unpleasant, they usually subside a week at most after your symptoms begin. Symptoms that last longer than two weeks or symptoms like severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, or high fever may indicate another condition. Your healthcare provider may recommend seeking emergency treatment if you have these symptoms.
Other severe symptoms include:
Change in mental state, such as irritability
Diarrhea for longer than two days
Frequent vomiting
More than six stools per day
Black and tarry stools
Bloody stools or stools that contain pus
Severe Dehydration Symptoms
Dehydration can be a serious condition, especially in older adults, children, and those who are immunocompromised. Seek medical attention if you have been ill and experience dehydration symptoms such as:
Confusion
Very little urine production
Severe dry mouth
Severe fatigue
Other severe dehydration symptoms include:
Lethargy (extreme fatigue)
Lack of consciousness
Weak or absent pulse
Inability to drink
Seek medical attention if you or someone in your care experiences any of these symptoms.
Related: 4 Best Remedies for a Stomach Flu
A Quick Review
A stomach virus tends to cause symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Symptoms tend to improve on their own within a week.
More severe symptoms like frequent vomiting and tarry or bloody stools require medical treatment, as do signs of dehydration. Recognizing signs of dehydration in infants, young children, and adults can help you know when to reach out to a healthcare provider in order to avoid potential complications.
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