Gastric Flu or viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines due to infection by certain microorganisms. Several viruses can cause gastric flu including rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses, sapoviruses and astroviruses. A person may be infected by these viruses by:
- Eating or drinking contaminated food and liquid.
- Touching surfaces or objects that are contaminated, and then placing their hand in their mouth.
- Having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms
Dehydration can be a serious complication of this infection. This means that the people with gastric flu is unable to replace the fluids they lost due to vomiting and diarrhea. Healthy people usually get by with the disease.