What Is Gastroenteritis?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
2. Viral Gastroenteritis
Viral gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, is a viral infection that attacks the patient’s digestive system. Despite its other moniker, it is not closely related to the influenza virus. Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis can make you feel very sick indeed.
The viruses responsible include adenovirus, astrovirus, norovirus, and rotavirus. In children, the most common cause of the condition is rotavirus, accounting for around 70% of cases. In adults, the norovirus is the most common cause, accounting for around 90% of cases. Most people will only experience the symptoms for 1-2 days, but it can last for up to 10 days or so in some cases.
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