Infections and Bugs

Stomach pain can have a number of different causes from digestive problems and organ disease to infections and viruses. When a virus is to blame the most common symptoms of stomach pain are abdominal cramping nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. The best way to alleviate the pain associated with these symptoms is to understand the causes.

Causes of Stomach Bugs

There are many types of infections that will cause stomach illnesses. The most common types of infections that lead to sudden gastric conditions include viral infections, bacterial infections, and food poisoning. Typically, these are referred to as gastrointestinal infections (also GI for short), and this term encompasses an entire spectrum of illnesses involving the stomach. The most common stomach infection is the flu, also called influenza. This ailment is caused by the invasion of a virus and the episode of pain and symptoms can last from one to seven days. Another form of the "flu" is the 24-hour flu, sometimes called a 24-hour bug. This ailment is different from influenza in that the symptoms typically only last 24 hours. Both of these stomach bugs are highly contagious (meaning they can easily be passed form one person to another) and generally clear up on their own without medical attention or medications.

Another stomach bug responsible for abdominal symptoms is food poisoning. Food poisoning occurs when water or food has been contaminated with parasites. This contamination can occur from improper food preparation, improper food storage, unclean supplies of drinking water, and tainted shellfish.

The Symptoms of a Stomach Bug

Although the exact cause of stomach pain may vary the symptoms produced by a stomach infection or bug are usually the same. Because of this similarity the cause of symptoms will be difficult to diagnose. That is the reason that most doctors take a wait and see attitude when patients complain of general stomach pain or common stomach symptoms. Once a virus can be ruled out, however, medication can be given to cure most other stomach ailments. Unfortunately, when a virus is the cause, the only available treatment is symptom relieve. Antibiotics do not kill viruses and the body's immune system will eliminate most viruses within a few days.

The Most Common Symptoms of Stomach Infections and Bugs are:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite

Typically, the severity of these symptoms will vary based on how severe the infection is, as well as what type of infection it is.

How Long will the Stomach Pain Last?

If the cause of stomach pain is a common infection or bug the pain and other symptoms will subside in just a few days. If symptoms last longer than five days, or if they come and go over a period of two weeks, the pain can be an indication of another, more serious stomach condition.

Treatments for Stomach Infections

Since antibiotics are ineffective at treating viruses the only available treatment is self-care and symptom management. The following tips are very effective at relieving stomach pain and reducing the severity of stomach bug symptoms.

• Drink plenty of fluids—Continued vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration. Dehydration can increase the severity of other symptoms and lead to more serious conditions.
• Limit your food intake—When your stomach is upset due to a virus or infection it will not be able to tolerate most foods well. The key to relieving stomach pain and increasing your strength is eating easily digestible foods such crackers, rice, applesauce, and broths.
• Take over-the-counter medications—Medications to relieve diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramping, and fever can offer a break from the pain of viruses until the body has had time to heal.
• Get plenty of rest—One of the best ways to deal with the abdominal pain and other stomach bug symptoms is to sleep as much as you can. During periods of sleep the body is better able to concentrate on killing the virus and repairing the damage of the infection.

As long as the cause of your stomach is viral these tips should help you relieve the symptoms. If symptoms persist, or last longer than five days, you should see your doctor. The pains could be a sign of another, more serious condition that will require medication or other types of medical treatment.

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