Infections and Bugs - Stomach and Abdominal Aches and Pains; the Causes, Symptoms and Relief

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.

Common Symptoms

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 a 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 to Diagnose Your Illness. 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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xboxgamer 21 Apr 2016

I was sick at 10 am and have not been sick since it is now 6 pm is it a bug or could it just be that I'm tired

Emma 16 Apr 2016

Hi sometimes I can get stomach pains but I dont throw up down the loo or have period pains as well.

Jamie 20 Feb 2016

Thank you for this I have had it today and you have made me feel a lot safer after reading this and if I didn't read this I may feel unsafe because you told everything thanks alot

cherry 27 Sep 2012

i think i have tummy bugs been going to doctors the past4-5yrs ago i was in carswell texas in 2003 got out 2007 righter 2008 it begin dortors did all of tests and came back and sayed notthing wrong so what do i do know please help me wellness mama

Jean 2 Jul 2012

The noroviruses that have been going around for the last couple of years are examples of bugs that attack the stomach, resulting in both diarrheoa and vomiting that typically last for about 24 hours. If you get one of these there's nothing you can do about it except keep a bowl by the bed and be prepared to tun to the toilet. Usually, with any stomach bug, you 'll feel quite weak for a day or two after it passes, and if it hasn't gone in three days go and see your GP to be properly diagnosed.

Molly88 13 Mar 2012

For the last week and a half, I have been experiencing nausea feelings in my tummy that happen on and off all day. This recently got 10x worse a few days ago. Also, I have been having shooting pains in my lower abdomen that also happens on and off each day. My breasts have also become tender over the last week and I am two weeks late. However, when I went in to the dr they did a urine sample and it came back negative for pregnancy and negative for a UTI. The dr had no definite answer as to what is going on. Could some one please help me with some possible answers?

beth 20 Nov 2011

I have had abdominal pain for about 3 months. My doctor has done blood tests for many things including pancreas, kidneys,bacterial infections and wheat intolerence to name just a few - all tests were normal. I've had an ultasound scan which also could find nothing wrong. I do not have any other symptoms and also had a routine bowel screening test, which came back clear, last March. Most of the time the pain is quite mild. Although I am 70 years old, I am otherwise healthy and have never needed medical treatment for anything other than very minor conditions before. Any ideas or suggestions of what it could possibly be?

Holly 23 Jul 2011

Thank-you for all the useful information that you put on the site. I feel a great amount better now that I understand what was making me feel ill.

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