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Viral gastroenteritis

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• Symptoms
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Definition:

Viral gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a virus. The infection can lead to  diarrhea and vomiting. It is sometimes called the "stomach flu."

Alternative Names:

Rotavirus infection; Norwalk virus; Gastroenteritis - viral; Stomach flu 

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Viral gastroenteritis is a leading cause of severe diarrhea in both adults and children. Many types of viruses can cause gastroenteritis. The most common ones are:

• Rotavirus, the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children. It can also infect adults exposed to children with the virus. Outbreaks may also occur in nursing homes.
• Norwalk virus, which is common among school-age children.

These viruses are often found in contaminated food or drinking water. Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis usually appear within 4 to 48 hours after exposure to the contaminated food or water.

Those with the highest risk for severe gastroenteritis include the young, the elderly, and people who have suppressed immune systems.

References:

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Approves New Vaccine to Prevent Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Infants , Rockville, MD: National Press Office; February 3, 2006. Press Release P06-16.

Dennehy PH. Acute diarrheal disease in children: epidemiology, prevention, and treatment. Infect Dis Clin North Am . 2005; 19(3): 585-602.

Jabbar A. Gastroenteritis and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Prim Care . 2003; 30(1): 63-80, vi.

• Review Date: 2/14/2007
• Reviewed By: Alan Greene, MD, FAAP, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital; Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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