Intestinal Flu or Stomach Flu



Intestinal flu has some of the same symptoms as swine flu H1N1. Gastroenteritis, its medical name, means inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines (the intestinal tract). How can you tell the difference?

(If you would like to consult with a doctor, one option is doctors advice online , where you can get a personal answer to a question about intestinal flu, from a real doctor--live.)

Stomach flu is not actually a flu virus. Gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a number of different viruses and it results in vomiting or diarrhea. There are other stomach flu symptoms , of course, but the most common symptoms are watery diarrhea and vomiting.

Photo of man with intestinal flu

Photo courtesy of Leonid Mamchenkov

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On the CDC website you will learn that gastroenteritis can be caused by:

  • Virus - rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses, type 40 or 41, sapoviruses, calicivirus, or astroviruses. Viruses are responsible for 30-40% of gastroenteritis in children.

  • Bacteria – Bacteria may infect the walls of the stomach and intestines. Staph or Staphyloccus aureus is a common cause of food poisoning. Other bacteria include E. coli, Camphylobacter, Shigella and Salmonella.

  • Parasites - in spoiled food or unclean water. Travellers can get traveler's diarrhea by drinking contaminated water, and children can get them by swimming in swimming pools that are contaminated.

  • Food Reactions - Lactose intolerance, a reaction of your body to dairy products is an example of this. Also, some people have a severe reaction to seafood.

  • Following antibiotics - Sometimes, following the use of antibiotics, overgrowth of a bacteria called Clostridium difficile (C difficile) can occur. The bacteria grow in the large intestine, and if this occurs, it happens after a person has been on an antibiotic for an infection.


Swine Flu or Intestinal Flu?

Many people are wondering if they have a stomach flu or the swine flu. That is because, the swine flu, unlike other flu viruses, sometimes causes diarrhea and/or vomiting, and stomach flu symptoms can appear to be similar to H1N1 swine flu —at least at first. The stomach cramps and stomach pain that many people feel, may be confused with the stomach cramps for an intestinal infection.

A flu virus, whether it is seasonal flu or the swine flu virus , is different from stomach flu or gastroenteritis in a couple of ways.

The flu mimics a cold in many ways, but flu symptoms start suddenly and they are more severe than the symptoms of a cold. With the flu, you can see extreme fatigue, high fever and coughing.

Also, the stomach flu duration is usually not as long as the duration for the swine flu or other flu viruses.

Because the flu pandemic swine flu has stomach symptoms not seen in other flu viruses, it can be confusing to people who get sick with these symptoms. It is important that you discover what is making you ill, as the remedy for stomach flu is different from that for swine flu.

Especially if you are in an area where many people are ill, make sure you distinguish whether you have intestinal flu or swine flu.

Keep in mind that, if it would give you peace of mind, you can consult with a live doctor and get personal doctors online advice , usually within just a few minutes of asking your question.




Is Stomach Flu Contagious?

Stomach Flu in Children

Pandemic Flu Guide HOME - from Intestinal Flu


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