Adults can generally return to their daily activities after beingsymptom-free for 24 hours.
It is assumed that, at this point, the greatest transmission risk has passed.
But that doesn’t mean the risk is zero.
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When Is Stomach Flu Contagious?
The contagious period is different depending on which virus causes the stomach flu.
Vaccinating Children
Rotavirus can be very serious and even deadly in younger children.
You may want to ask your child’s healthcare provider about a vaccine that prevents it.
Summary
Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis) is because of viruses likenorovirus and rotavirus.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, and weakness.
The virus is spread by direct or indirect contact with a sick person’s stool or vomit.
Then, as they breathe, sneeze, or cough, particles may carry the virus to you.
You may also catch it from kissing and sharing utensils.
People can generally return to normal activities once they are symptom-free for 24 hours.
A COVID test can help you figure out what’s causing your digestive symptoms.
Clinically known viralgastroenteritis, stomach flu is triggered by several viruses, including norovirus and rotavirus.
Influenza, what causes the actual flu, is not one of them.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About norovirus.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About rotavirus.
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GI Society: Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.Gastroenteritis (stomach flu).
California Department of Public Health.Norovirus.
National Institutes of Health.NIH scientists discover norovirus and other “stomach viruses” can spread through saliva.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.
Oude Munnink BB, Van der Hoek L.Viruses causing gastroenteritis: The known, the new and those beyond.Viruses.
2016;8(2).
doi:10.3390/v8020042
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Viral gastroenteritis.
