How Long Does Stomach Flu Last?

A viral infection that affects the small intestine and stomach is called stomach flu. Viral gastroenteritis is another name for it. Usually, the illness lasts between one and three days. The digestive tract, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine (colon), is responsible for breaking down and processing the food you eat. An infection of these organs brought on by a virus is known as stomach flu/viral gastroenteritis. Stomach flu targets your intestines. Intestinal infections, such as watery diarrhoea, cramping in the stomach, nausea, vomiting, and occasionally fever, are indications and symptoms of stomach flu.

Symptoms

Your stomach and intestines are inflamed while fighting a stomach flu, which causes these symptoms.

• Diarrhoea is the most typical symptom of the stomach flu.
• Throwing up and nausea.
• A decrease in appetite.
• Cramps and discomfort in the abdomen.

However, you may experience systemic symptoms if your illness is more serious or if your immune system responds to the infection more forcefully. Inflammation in bodily systems other than the digestive system is the cause of these symptoms. These symptoms are the immune system’s next stage of reaction to the stomach flu. Some of these symptoms are:

• Temperature, chills, and exhaustion
• Pain in the body
• Headache
• Enlarged lymph nodes

Stomach Flu Stages

1st Stage: The first stage of a stomach flu infection is exposure. Most cases of stomach flu are contracted from people in your local area, particularly in enclosed spaces like nursing homes, schools, and cruise ships. Since it takes time for symptoms to appear, you may learn about an outbreak after being exposed.

2nd Stage: Incubation is the second stage of the stomach flu infection. As soon as the virus enters your body, it will start to replicate. This is the stage of incubation. Until the virus multiplies sufficiently to trigger an immune response, you won’t experience symptoms. Several days are typically needed for this, depending on the pathogen.

3rd Stage: An acute infection is the third stage of stomach flu infection. As an acute infection, viral gastroenteritis is rapid and transient in nature. Once your immune system detects a threat, it triggers an inflammatory response to eliminate the virus. This is the cause of disease symptoms. Once it is successful, the symptoms will go away.

4th Stage: Convalescence is the fourth stage. When your immune system defeats the infection, you’ll notice a decrease in your symptoms. Your symptoms will eventually go away, and you’ll get better. However, you can still be contagious for a few days if the virus is still present in your faeces.

Causes

Your digestive tract can become infected with a variety of viruses, leading to gastroenteritis.

Norovirus – Norovirus is the most prevalent. This is the main cause of adult stomach flu. It is more resilient than others to changes in temperature and cleaning agents.

Rotavirus – In children globally, rotavirus is the primary cause of stomach flu. Adults are generally immune to this virus though. Now, a vaccine is available for this kind of stomach flu.

Astrovirus – Astroviruses typically impact youngsters under the age of three. They frequently propagate via daycare facilities. But senior care facilities are another way they might proliferate.

Adenovirus – Although gastrointestinal infections can result from inadvertent ingestion, adenoviruses are more frequently responsible for respiratory illnesses. All ages are susceptible to their infection.

Spread of Stomach Flu Virus

Stomach flu usually spreads through the faeces to the mouth. The virus lives in the faeces and vomit of infected people. Microscopic traces of infected faeces or vomit may linger on people’s hands or surfaces. The virus can spread to food and water sources, and you might get infected by eating or drinking something contaminated, or by touching a contaminated surface or person and then putting your hands near your mouth.

Prevention

By maintaining proper hygiene, you can lower your chance of contracting the stomach flu and infecting others. Among them are:

• Hand washing: Since hand sanitizer isn’t always effective, proper handwashing is the most vital line of prevention against stomach flu viruses. It’s crucial to do this before handling food and particularly after using the restroom or changing a diaper.
• Cleaning up: Anything that you or the afflicted individual touched should be cleaned and disinfected. Particularly in the bathroom, use bleach and water to disinfect surfaces.
• Handling food safely: Bacteria, viruses that cause stomach flu, and other microorganisms can contaminate food. Proper meal preparation can lessen this danger. It is best to avoid handling food for other people if you already have the stomach flu.

Timeline for Stomach Flu

If your immune system is in good working order, there’s a strong chance your symptoms will clear up rather soon. Some stomach flu sufferers may not even show any symptoms.

Depending on which virus is causing your symptoms, the time frame for viral gastroenteritis symptoms varies:

• Astrovirus: This infection usually goes away in two to three days.
• Enteric adenoviruses: These infections may require up to two weeks to treat.
• Norovirus: In most cases, norovirus goes away in a few days.
• Rotavirus: The duration of this virus varies from three to eight days.
• Sapovirus: This infection often lasts a few days. Up to a week may pass while experiencing diarrhoea.

Treatment

Most cases of stomach flu resolve on their own with time, as the immune system naturally clears the infection. Since it’s caused by a virus, antibiotics are ineffective. The main goal of the treatment is to ease symptoms and avoid dehydration by keeping fluid and electrolyte levels stable.

Stay Hydrated

Constant vomiting and diarrhea can result in the loss of fluids. It’s crucial to rehydrate by consuming small amounts of clear liquids, such as water, diluted juices, or electrolyte solutions. For infants and young children, it’s important to use oral rehydration solutions formulated for their age group. Breastfeeding babies can continue to nurse as usual.

Ease Symptoms with Caution

Some adults may find relief with over-the-counter medications like loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate to manage diarrhea. However, these should never be given to children without medical advice. Avoid these medicines entirely if there is a fever, bloody stools, or severe symptoms, and consult a healthcare provider instead.

Eat Lightly (When You Can)

While food doesn’t cure the infection, eating light, bland foods once your appetite returns can provide energy and comfort. Crackers, toast, rice, and broths are generally well-tolerated. Steer clear of foods rich in fat, sugar, caffeine, and dairy, as they can exacerbate symptoms.

Consider Probiotics (if advised)

Some research suggests probiotics may support gut health and help shorten the duration of diarrhea. However, it’s best to consult a doctor before using them, especially for children, older adults, or those with weakened immune systems.

When Should I See a Doctor?

You should consult your doctor if you notice the following:

• After four- five days, your symptoms are still there.
• Your fever has been elevated for the past four days (over 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 39 degrees Celsius).
• It has been two days since you last had a bowel movement.
• You think you may be dehydrated.
• There’s blood in your excrement.
• You’re experiencing an intense stomach ache.

Rarely does the stomach flu continue for more than two or three days. However, it may take one to two weeks for your bowel movements to completely return to normal. One of the stomach flu’s potentially dangerous side effects is dehydration.

Frequently Asked Questions