Gastroenteritis, often referred to as the stomach flu, is one of the most common illnesses in the United States. When infected, the lining of your stomach and intestines become inflamed. This can cause extreme discomfort and a number of different symptoms. Despite being an extremely unpleasant experience, having gastroenteritis isn’t something you need to be rushed to the hospital for. In fact, most people recover in a few days; without any kind of treatment or doctor’s assistance.
While this is a very common infection, there is a more severe form of it that you should be aware of. While rare, it can be dangerous, so if you notice your symptoms aren’t getting better after a day or two consider consulting a medical professional, just to be safe.
1. Abdominal Pain
As the viral or bacterial infection attacks the lining of your stomach and intestines, you may start to have abdominal pain or cramping. This pain can vary from mild to severe depending on the severity of the infection. It will most often feel like an aching or a tightening in your gut, and when combined with some of the other symptoms, it can lead to a very unpleasant experience.
If you can keep from throwing it up, pain medicine is something that could help ease this particular symptom. A heating pad or blanket on the affected area can also help to relax tense or cramping muscles. It may seem ineffective, but applying heat to your abdomen can actually help lessen the pain caused by this viral infection. It’s not a miracle cure, and likely won’t make it go away completely, but it can definitely help make things a little less miserable.
If the pain in your abdomen is severe or in a location other than around your stomach, or if it doesn’t start to fade over the next day or two, talk to your doctor. It’s important to rule out anything serious when symptoms last longer than they should or affect areas they shouldn’t.
2. Diarrhea
Diarrhea caused by gastroenteritis is one of the most telling signs you have the infection. With this symptom your diarrhea will be very watery, but how frequently you will need to use the bathroom will vary from person to person. You will be losing a lot of water with constant diarrhea, so be sure to stay hydrated.
With this symptom, there is one thing that you will need to keep an eye out for: blood. If you have bloody diarrhea, you may have a form of the virus that is more severe. If you do notice blood in your stool, contact your doctor as soon as you can. They will be able to advise you on next steps.
3. Stomach cramps
Another sign that may come with gastroenteritis are stomach cramps. Like abdominal cramps, stomach cramps will feel like a tightness or a painful bloating in your stomach. They may also come in the form of a stomach ache, like you need to pass gas, or spasms.
Stomach cramps frequently accompany any form of diarrhea, so the cramps may come and go with your need to use the bathroom. If the pain is too much, chamomile tea can help if you’re able to keep it down. If you have a heating pad or blanket, placing it over your stomach may help ease the pain a little, too.
4. Belching
It may seem a little odd to use belching as a symptom of illness. However, this isn’t your average burping. If belching is a sign of illness, it’s going to be an excessive amount that may increase as the day goes on. One way to determine if the frequent belching is caused by an infection is their aftereffect. In other words, how do you feel after you burp?
If you feel queasy or still bloated after burping, it’s probably caused by gastroenteritis. Another indicator is if the burp smells bad or leaves an unpleasant taste in your mouth.
5. Gagging
While vomiting is a definite symptom of gastroenteritis, gagging without actually throwing up is, too. This sign may also be accompanied by feeling nauseous or like you need to throw up without being able to do so. Gagging can happen before or after vomiting, and can occasionally be painful. In addition, gagging will often make your stomach cramp or feel more queasy.
If you’re gagging frequently, even if you feel like you have nothing left to throw up, it is a good idea to stay close to the toilet as a precaution. That way, you can minimize any potential cleanup.
6. Indigestion
The feeling of indigestion often comes after eating–or trying to eat–something. The act or thought of eating will make you feel nauseous and can also cause bloating, gagging, and belching. Indigestion causes stomach and lower chest pain, and will feel a lot like your stomach is sloshing around uncomfortably.
Unlike stomach cramping, the pain caused by indigestion has a feeling that’s more like burning or acid reflux. It’s not something that only affects the stomach, either, and can cause the feeling of heartburn, too. Using deep breathing can help with indigestion, as can tea or medicine that helps with digestive relief.
7. Vomiting
Like with diarrhea caused by gastroenteritis, vomiting is one of the most common symptoms of the infection. Vomiting caused by the infection will be very frequent and continue even after you have ‘nothing left’ in your stomach. Gagging will most likely accompany this symptom, as well.
Try to drink water or suck on ice cubes if you are throwing up frequently, and be careful. If you vomit up every attempt at drinking water and staying hydrated, contact your doctor immediately. You will be losing a lot of water, and will likely need medical assistance in order to keep your body appropriately hydrated.
8. Chills
Anyone who has had a fever is familiar with getting the chills. This sign of viral infection isn’t just feeling cold. It’s a cold feeling that’s under your skin or right to your very core. If you’re just cold, you will be able to warm up. With the chills, though, nothing will really help you feel any warmer.
If you have the chills with gastroenteritis it’s probably because you’ve developed a slight fever. This is normal, but something that you should also keep an eye on. If you have a severe fever, which means it’s over 104, contact your doctor for immediate medical assistance.
9. Dehydration
Dehydration is one of the symptoms you need to be the most aware of. As the main signs of gastroenteritis are vomiting and diarrhea, you will be losing a lot of water while the infection runs its course. It’s important to be cautious and drink a lot of fluids, as dehydration can be very dangerous and even life threatening.
In the event that you try to stay hydrated but can’t keep water down, get in contact with your doctor immediately. You will likely need to go in for an IV in order to rehydrate or until your symptoms become less severe.
10. Headache
Under normal circumstances, headaches can be caused by a lot of things. If you have also have the other symptoms, though, a headache can also be a sign of viral or bacterial infection. When dealing with gastroenteritis, your headache is most likely the result of dehydration or fever, and should be taken seriously.
If you discover you have a headache while sick, make sure you assess your condition and other symptoms. Drink water if you’re able and keep an eye on your temperature. That way, you’ll be able to act quickly if certain symptoms, like fever and dehydration, get worse.
