When are you contagious with a 24 hour virus

The hour flu is actually a condition called gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, which leads to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Although gastroenteritis can be caused by viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, viral gastroenteritis is typically responsible for many cases of hour flu.

Read on to learn more about the hour flu, including symptoms, home remedies, and when to see a doctor. The hour flu is very contagious, meaning that it can spread easily from person-to-person. You can become infected in the following ways:. If you develop symptoms, wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom and before handling food.

Since the illness is very contagious, plan to stay home for at least 48 hours after your symptoms have passed. The hour flu is often caused by one of two viruses: norovirus and rotavirus. Both viruses are shed in the stool of an infected person, meaning that you can become infected if you ingest tiny particles of stool from an infected person.

Symptoms typically occur one or two days after infection and can last for a few days. Since the infection is caused by a virus, treatment focuses on easing symptoms until you get better. Although you can get the hour flu from contaminated food and water, the condition is different from food poisoning. Food poisoning is caused by contamination of food or water, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Often, the symptoms of food poisoning come on more quickly than the symptoms of hour flu — usually within hours of ingesting contaminated food or water. Typically, the symptoms of food poisoning last a few days.

Some types of food poisoning may last longer. Additionally, since various types of bacteria can cause food poisoning, antibiotics may be necessary to treat the infection. Additionally, symptoms can last longer than 24 hours. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal pathogens in developed and developing countries: systematic review and meta-analysis.

J Public Health Res. Clin Microbiol Rev. Campylobacter: from microbiology to prevention. J Prev Med Hyg. Graves NS. Acute gastroenteritis. Prim Care. Merck Manual Professional Version. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. When to Call a Healthcare Provider. Stomach Flu Also known as gastroenteritis or infectious diarrhea Gastrointestinal infection that can be caused by a virus, bacterium, or parasite Spreads through person-to-person contact, contaminated food or water, or, in the case of parasites, contact with infected feces Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain Vomiting usually lasts 24 hours; diarrhea may continue for several days.

Flu Also known as seasonal influenza Upper respiratory infection caused by a virus Spreads by dissemination of virus in droplets spewed into air when an infected person sneezes or coughs; particles can travel as far as six feet Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, and congestion May last from two to 10 days May be prevented with a yearly vaccine.

Stomach flu can last from 24 hours to over a week, depending on what caused it. Symptoms of Stomach Flu. Recap While many illnesses tend to be transmitted in the air, the bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause gastroenteritis tend to be transmitted by: Contaminated food Contaminated water Person-to-person contact. Frequently Asked Questions How long does gastroenteritis last?

What happens inside your body when you have a stomach bug? Many people only experience these symptoms for 24 hours, but it is not uncommon for hour stomach bugs to last longer than 1 day. In adults, a case of viral gastroenteritis typically lasts 1—3 days. In children, stomach bugs can last up to 12 days, depending on the cause. Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea from acute viral gastroenteritis among people of all ages in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.

Rotavirus and adenovirus mainly affect children under the age of 2 years. Most norovirus outbreaks in the U. Sometimes, a new strain of norovirus develops. Most people recover from a stomach bug without any medical treatment. Replacing lost fluids and electrolytes can help prevent dehydration. Many people lose their appetite when they have a stomach bug, and they may find it difficult to keep liquids down.

Sipping them slowly can help people stay hydrated. People can try:. Bland, salty foods, such as crackers, can help replace electrolytes. People can also drink rehydration solutions that contain electrolytes. Examples include:. A doctor may prescribe medication to control severe vomiting. However, they will not prescribe antibiotics because these drugs do not work for viral illnesses, including hour stomach bugs. In some cases, adults can take over-the-counter OTC medicines to treat diarrhea.

These include loperamide Imodium and bismuth subsalicylate Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate. However, if a person has bloody diarrhea or a fever, they should avoid these medications and seek help from a doctor right away.

Not all OTC medications are suitable for young children. People should consult a doctor before giving diarrhea medications to others. Antidiarrheal medication and electrolyte replacements are available at a pharmacy or online. Although most people with a stomach bug recover in a few days, some people may need medical help. These people include those who are in severe pain, are pregnant, or show signs of dehydration. If someone is vomiting and has diarrhea multiple times a day, they can become dehydrated.

It is especially important to watch out for this in children, older adults, and people with preexisting health conditions. The symptoms of dehydration include:. Anyone who thinks that they or someone else might be dehydrated should seek medical attention immediately.