Gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection also known as the stomach flu.

Gastroenteritis affects your intestines, causing watery, usually non-bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches and headaches and a fever. Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis will usually appear a day or two after you have been infected and can range from mild to severe. It can persist for up to 10 days.

You are most likely to contract viral gastroenteritis when you eat or drink food or water that has been contaminated, share cutlery or utensils, food or towels with someone who has been infected.

The two main viruses that cause gastroenteritis are noroviruses and the rotavirus. Norovirus is common worldwide and the most likely cause of foodborne illness. It can sweep through families and entire communities. In most cases it is contracted through infected food or water rather than from person to person.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children. They become infected by putting their contaminated fingers or object in their mouths. The infection is usually serve in infants and young children, whereas adults with the virus may not have any symptoms but can still spread the virus.

There is no specific medical treatment for viral gastroenteritis, as antibiotics aren’t effective against viruses. Treatment will usually consist of self-care measure. Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluid to prevent dehydration, stop eating solid food to allow your stomach to settle. Start by eating, bland easily digestible foods, and avoid fatty food, alcohol, caffeine, or highly seasoned foods.