What Is a Stomach Virus?
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Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD
A stomach virus, also known as viral gastroenteritis, is a common condition that causes symptoms like nausea and diarrhea.
Some people may call a stomach virus the "stomach flu," but influenza (flu) viruses do not cause this condition. The stomach virus is caused by a highly contagious virus, often a norovirus, that infects your body and irritates your intestinal lining.
Most stomach viruses resolve on their own, but supportive treatments like drinking plenty of fluids can help recovery and prevent complications.
Stomach Virus Symptoms
Stomach virus symptoms are generally similar to other gastroenteritis symptoms. Gastroenteritis is inflammation in your stomach and intestinal lining.
You usually experience stomach virus symptoms about 12 to 48 hours after you come into contact with a virus. Symptoms are acute, meaning they begin suddenly and last a short period of time, and they typically resolve within one week.
Common stomach virus symptoms include:
You might experience dehydration due to fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea or because you have difficulty keeping fluids down due to nausea.
Dehydration symptoms include:
Severe thirst
Dry mouth
Dry skin
Urinating or sweating less than usual
Darker-colored urine
Fatigue
You might also experience weight loss due to reduced food intake, especially if you have symptoms for several days.
Causes
A stomach virus occurs when a virus enters your body, multiplies, and infects your intestines. You can get the virus from coming in contact with a person who has it—for example, by sharing food or utensils with them. You can also contract it by eating food contaminated with the virus or by putting your hands in or near your mouth, nose, or eyes after touching a contaminated surface.
Norovirus causes an estimated 16 to 21 million viral gastroenteritis cases every year.
Other viral organisms that can cause a stomach virus include:
Rotavirus: Symptoms start about two days after exposure and last for three to 8 days
Adenovirus: Symptoms start three to 10 days after exposure and last one to two weeks
Astrovirus: Symptoms start four to five days after exposure and last one to four days
Sapovirus: Symptoms start one to four days after exposure and usually resolve within one week
Rotavirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus are more likely to affect children.
Non-viral organisms can also cause gastroenteritis. Bacteria, parasites, exposure to chemicals, and reactions to food or medication can irritate your stomach and intestines, causing symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Stomach virus outbreaks are more common in places where people live or play in close communities, such as daycare centers, cruise ships, or assisted living facilities. Most norovirus outbreaks happen from November to April, but they can occur at any time of year.
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers usually diagnose a stomach virus based on your symptoms. They will try to rule out other possible causes of those symptoms. They may ask when your symptoms began, if anyone around you has been ill, and if you've traveled recently.
They may also explore possible signs of conditions like:
Appendicitis: Inflammation of your appendix
Diverticulitis: Infection or inflammation of small pouches in your large intestine
Bowel obstruction: A blockage in your large intestine that prevents food from moving through it
In rare instances, your healthcare provider may do a stool test to detect the presence of viruses. However, stomach virus does not usually last long enough to detect in a test like this. You will likely feel better before the results come back.
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.
Stomach Virus Treatment
Most stomach virus symptoms do not require special treatment from a healthcare provider. Treatment goals are to reduce unpleasant symptoms, prevent dehydration, and restore electrolyte imbalances. Electrolytes are essential minerals, including calcium, potassium, and sodium, that help your body use fluids and function efficiently. Dehydration reduces electrolyte levels in your body.
Treatments for stomach virus include:
Hydration: Drinking sips of water or electrolyte-containing beverages and eating ice chips or popsicles can help you stay hydrated.
Bland foods: Eating bland foods can help reduce electrolyte imbalances and increase energy levels. The BRAT diet is recommended, which stands for bananas, rice, apples, and toast.
Probiotics: Some healthcare providers may recommend taking probiotics. Probiotics are supplements that contain specific bacteria that benefit your gut. Probiotics may shorten the duration of a stomach virus.
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications like Pepto-Bismol or Kaeopectate (bismuth subsalicylate) and Imodium (loperamide) can reduce intestinal movement that causes cramping and worsens diarrhea. However, healthcare providers do not usually recommend these medications for young children and adults over the age of 65. You should also avoid these medications if you have bloody diarrhea or a fever because they might prevent your body from releasing infectious organisms through your stool. Releasing these organisms helps your body recover from the illness.
Related: What Not to Eat When Your Stomach Is Upset, and Which Foods Can Help
Prevention
Viruses can easily spread through vomit or stool, and a person does not have to have symptoms to be able to spread the illness to you. However, you can take preventive measures to reduce your risk of contracting a stomach virus.
Preventive steps include:
Washing your hands frequently—especially after touching foods and drinks, shaking hands with others, and touching surfaces that other people have touched (such as doorknobs and faucet handles)
Disinfecting countertops, changing tables, and other potentially infected surfaces with a mixture of bleach and water
Wearing gloves to wash the clothing of someone who has a stomach virus
Refraining from preparing or handling food for others for up to two days after your symptoms end, as you could still be contagious
Healthcare providers can vaccinate infants against rotavirus. Infants should receive their first dose by 15 weeks and all doses by 8 months.
Complications
The stomach virus is not usually serious. However, it can lead to dehydration and cause more severe symptoms, including:
Change in mental state, such as irritability
Diarrhea for longer than two days
High fever
Frequent vomiting
More than six stools per day
Black and tarry stools
Bloody stools or stools that contain pus
Severe abdominal pain
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
Reach out to a healthcare provider if you or someone in your care experiences any of these symptoms or symptoms of dehydration and cannot keep fluids down.
Some people are at greater risk of developing more severe symptoms and complications because their immune systems may not fight the virus off as quickly. This includes:
People who are immunocompromised (have weakened immune systems)
Infants and young children
Adults over the age of 65
Pregnant people
A Quick Review
While a stomach virus can be unpleasant, symptoms do not usually last beyond a week. Resting and avoiding dehydration by taking sips of fluids whenever possible can help you recover and minimize your risk of developing a more serious illness.
See your healthcare provider if you have difficulty keeping food or fluids down. Early supportive treatment can reduce symptoms and possible complications.
You can always take preventive measures, including washing your hands frequently, being mindful to avoid touching your face, and disinfecting surfaces regularly.
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