Gastrointestinal illness (gastroenteritis) is the inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines. The main symptoms include vomiting and watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, and headache. Infections causing gastroenteritis can be viral, bacterial, or parasitic in origin. Norovirus is a common cause of viral gastroenteritis found on cruise ships. Types of bacterial gastroenteritis infections include Escherichia coli and salmonella.

Infections causing gastroenteritis can be spread by contaminated food or water or through an infected food handler. Individuals who are symptomatic with gastroenteritis can spread illness to others by touching handrails, elevator buttons, and shared utensils, as well as through direct intimate contact with others while they are ill.

Yes. You can reduce your chance of becoming ill by washing your hands more frequently, keeping your hands away from your mouth, and avoiding any food or water that is thought to have been contaminated. When a higher than expected number of passengers or crew become sick, ships implement additional cleaning procedures and use disinfectants that are targeted to stop the illness. More information on handwashing tips and techniques.

HFMD is moderately infectious. It can spread from one person to another through direct contact with discharge from the nose and throat, saliva, infected stools, or fluid from a blister.

Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by a variety of viruses that results in vomiting or diarrhea. It is often called the "stomach flu," although it is not caused by the influenza viruses.

Many different viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including rotaviruses, noroviruses, adenoviruses,type 40 or 41, sapoviruses, and astroviruses. Viral gastroenteritis is not caused by bacteria (such as Salmonella or Escherichia coli) or parasites (such as Giardia), or by medications or other medical conditions, although the symptoms may be similar. Your doctor can determine if the diarrhea is caused by a virus or by something else.

The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting. The affected person may also have headache, fever, and abdominal cramps ("stomach ache"). In general, the symptoms begin 1 to 2 days following infection with a virus that causes gastroenteritis and may last for 1 to 10 days, depending on which virus causes the illness.

For most people, it is not. People who get viral gastroenteritis almost always recover completely without any long-term problems. Gastroenteritis is a serious illness, however, for persons who are unable to drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea. Infants, young children, and persons who are unable to care for themselves, such as the disabled or elderly, are at risk for dehydration from loss of fluids.

Anyone can get it. Viral gastroenteritis occurs in people of all ages and backgrounds. However, some viruses tend to cause diarrheal disease primarily among people in specific age groups. Rotavirus and norovirus infections are the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and young children under 5 years old. Adenoviruses and astroviruses cause diarrhea mostly in young children, but older children and adults can also be affected.

Generally, viral gastroenteritis is diagnosed by a physician on the basis of the symptoms and medical examination of the patient. Rotavirus infection can be diagnosed by laboratory testing of a stool specimen. Tests to detect other viruses that cause gastroenteritis are not in routine use, but the viral gastroenteritis unit at CDC can assist with special analysis upon request.

The most important of treating viral gastroenteritis in children and adults is to prevent severe loss of fluids (dehydration). This treatment should begin at home. Your physician may give you specific instructions about what kinds of fluid to give. CDC recommends that families with infants and young children keep a supply of oral rehydration solution (ORS) at home at all times and use the solution when diarrhea first occurs in the child. ORS is available at pharmacies without a prescription.

Persons can reduce their chance of getting infected by frequent handwashing, prompt disinfection of contaminated surfaces with household chlorine bleach-based cleaners, and prompt washing of soiled articles of clothing. If food or water is thought to be contaminated, it should be avoided.

Currently there is a licensed rotavirus vaccine available that protects against severe diarrhea from rotavirus infection in infants and young children. Studies into a norovirus vaccine are underway.

Gastroenteritis is ordinarily a viral condition. As with food poisoning, diarrhea is a more common symptom. There is a bit of overlap between food poisoning and gastroenteritis, since many forms of gastroenteritis can be spread through food handling and preparation. One of the most common forms of gastroenteritis -- and one for which vomiting is a more prominent symptom than most -- is the Norwalk virus, which was once called Winter Vomiting Disease.19

Available information suggests that persons with SARS are most likely to be contagious only when they have symptoms, such as fever or cough. Patients are most contagious during the second week of illness. However, as a precaution against spreading the disease, CDC recommends that persons with SARS limit their interactions outside the home (for example, by not going to work or to school) until 10 days after their fever has gone away and their respiratory (breathing) symptoms have gotten better.

No. Lupus is neither infectious nor contagious - the cause is not known though research has provided evidence implicating heredity, hormones and infections, including viruses. It is thought that the genetic predisposition lies dormant in the body until some trigger from outside the body sets the process in motion. See Can I inherit Lupus? To Top

The General Infectious Diseases Clinic is a clinic which sees patients with a variety of suspected or proven infectious diseases. Please see the following questions for our exceptions.

Discover the many ways that infectious diseases are spread and how you can reduce your chances of infection.