The Stomach Flu: A Nauseating Bug Causes It

Have you ever had the "stomach flu?" What you probably had was gastroenteritis - not a type of flu at all. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the U.S. It spreads through contaminated food or water, and contact with an infected person.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever and chills.
The most common problem with gastroenteritis is dehydration. This happens if you do not drink enough fluids to replace what you lose through vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration is most common in babies, young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems.
Dehydration and Gastroenteritis can lead to serious consequences, including death; especially in vulnerable groups such as the old, very young, and immunosuppressed.

Every year, norovirus outbreaks occur. Last year, cruise ships harbored this nauseating virus. Additionally, there was an increase in deaths due to this nasty bug.

Viruses are given names, just as people are, and the virus’s last year were named Minerva and Laurens. The virus seems to have come to the United States via Europe. Last year, Minerva and Laurens visited approximately 1400 people, many in Nursing Homes in a 3 month period; therefore, we know it is a very speedy traveler. The number reported is probably a very low estimation, as this virus is not a reportable disease. We suffer in silence.

You can decrease your chance of coming in contact with noroviruses by frequently washing your hands, especially after toilet visits, and by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness using a bleach-based household cleaner.