Stomach Flu (Viral Gastroenteritis): How Long It Lasts - Health.com

The stomach flu, medically known as viral gastroenteritis, may last two days to up to two weeks, depending on what stomach virus you have. Norovirus, one of the most common stomach viruses, usually resolves within a couple of days. Other viruses—such as adenovirus or rotavirus—may give you a stomach bug for a week or longer.

The influenza virus does not cause the stomach flu, despite the name. Still, the stomach flu can feel just as bad, or worse, than the flu as it can cause diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, and vomiting. Read on to learn how long viral gastroenteritis typically lasts in adults.

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The stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis, is a type of intestinal infection that presents with mostly GI symptoms. It may be caused by a number of viruses but not influenza viruses as the term "stomach flu" suggests.

Viral gastroenteritis is also a self-limiting disease. In other words, you will likely recover on your own without treatment. With a stomach virus, your immune system is busy trying to help you feel normal. Those types of diseases might resolve spontaneously.

People may experience the following signs of the stomach flu within four to 48 hours of viral exposure:

• Abdominal cramps or pain
• Fever—which isn't always a symptom
• Nausea or vomiting
• Watery diarrhea
  

Dehydration

Staying hydrated is essential if you have viral gastroenteritis. Dehydration happens if you lose too many fluids from diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Drinking enough fluids while you have the stomach flu may be difficult, increasing your risk of dehydration.

Dehydration symptoms include:

• Extreme thirst
• Dry mouth and skin
• Sweating and urinating less than usual
• Urine that has a dark color
• Fatigue
• Feeling dizzy

Some people with a stomach bug develop mild dehydration symptoms, which may prolong your illness. Other times, dehydration can be life-threatening.

Seek immediate medical attention if you develop severe symptoms like:

• Breathing quickly
• Fainting
• Feeling confused
• Not urinating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shock
  

There's a good chance your symptoms will go away rather quickly if you have a healthy immune system. Some people with the stomach flu might not even develop symptoms.

What Can Prolong Symptoms?

You may need more time to recover if you have a weak immune system. A weak immune system may have a harder time fighting a stomach virus than usual. Stomach flu symptoms may last longer than average, and you might have a high risk for complications.

Talk to a healthcare provider if you develop viral gastroenteritis and have:

• Autoimmune conditions (e.g., lupus and rheumatoid arthritis)
• Immunodeficiency syndromes
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Kidney disease
• Metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes)
• Structural heart disease
  

Viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious and spreads from person to person through stool and vomit. Norovirus is contagious as long as you are sick and for up to two weeks afterward.

Preparing food and drinks, shaking hands, and touching objects and surfaces with unwashed hands after using the bathroom easily spreads a stomach bug. The virus may become airborne if you vomit. Norovirus might live for months on objects and surfaces.

Viral gastroenteritis typically resolves on its own. Still, there are some things you can do to feel better and possibly reduce your symptoms. Below are some tips to help you recover if you have a stomach bug:

• Eat small amounts of bland food: Not eating does not help alleviate symptoms. Instead, try eating small servings of bananas, bread, cereal, plain yogurt, and vegetables. Replenishing your nutrients is essential if you have diarrhea and vomiting. 
• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids helps prevent dehydration. Sip on electrolyte replacement solutions, Gatorade, or water every 30–60 minutes. Do not drink broth, fruit juice, gelatin, or soda if you have a stomach bug. Those fluids might worsen diarrhea.
• Take medicine: Antibiotics do not work for viral infections like the stomach flu. Instead, you might use over-the-counter (OTC) medicines like Imodium (loperamide) or Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate). Talk to a healthcare provider if you have bloody or severe diarrhea before taking medicine.
  

Diarrhea and vomiting are not usually causes for alarm. Call a healthcare provider right away if you have dehydration or see blood in your stool or vomit.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have:

• Black or tar-like stool that has blood or pus
• Diarrhea that does not go away after two days
• A change in your mental state (e.g., irritability or a lack of energy)
• Frequent vomiting
• A high fever
• More than six loose stools in one day
• Severe abdominal or rectal pain
• Severe dehydration symptoms

Consult a healthcare provider if you are pregnant and have a stomach bug. They may want to do lab tests to know what virus is causing your symptoms.

You will likely recover within a couple of days if you have a stomach bug. Keep in mind that stomach viruses may be present in your stool for up to two weeks after you recover.

Ensure you wash your hands properly after using the bathroom and before preparing food and drink, shaking hands, or touching objects and surfaces. Also, while the stomach flu can go away on its own, see a healthcare provider if you have signs of dehydration or other worrisome symptoms related to the stomach flu, like persistent diarrhea or frequent vomiting.

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