Stomach flu which is also known as Gastroenteritis is an infectious disease which is mostly caused by viruses and often caused by bacteria, parasites and toxins etc. It causes inflammation and irritation in stomach and intestinal area. In most cases it lasts for 24 to 36 hours after which patient starts recovering therefore it is also called 24 hours flu. During stomach flu patient has to suffer from severe stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhea which can result in weakness and dehydration.
Bacterial Gastroenteritis and Viral Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis can be classified as bacterial gastroenteritis and viral gastroenteritis depending upon the infectious micro-organism (bacteria, virus) causing it. Bacteria causing gastroenteritis include Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, Clostridium, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus etc. And viruses involved in spreading stomach flu include norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, sapovirus and astrovirus etc.
Stomach Flu is Contagious in Nature
Stomach flu is contagious disease. It spreads through person to person contact easily particularly where people are not conscious about sanitation conditions. So if a person is suffering from stomach flu (Gastroenteritis) he must take care of his personal hygiene along with keeping his environment neat and clean. Patient’s stool and vomitus are the major sources to spread stomach flu (Gastroenteritis). It is also transferred by contaminated water and food. Risk factors for stomach flu (gastroenteritis) include consumption of improperly cooked food, contaminated water and visiting the places where sanitary condition are not reliable enough.
Stomach flu (Gastroenteritis) Occur Everywhere
Stomach flu (Gastroenteritis) occurs in every part of the world where people are not conscious about their personal hygiene. In US this viral infection occurs in winter season but the chances of his occurrence remain throughout the year particularly at places where people gather for routine activities like in schools, camps, nursing homes and day care centers etc.
