Stomach Flu Transmission
Stomach flu is one of the most contagious diseases. It transmits through the common ways in which other infectious diseases spread. Stomach flu can spread through the physical contact with the infected person, by sharing his food and touching the surface where the stomach flu virus exists. In most of the cases, stomach flu transmits due to contaminated foods that have been handled by the stomach flu infected people. Norovirus is responsible for most of these types of cases.
Three Ways of Transmission
As mentioned above, there are three main ways of stomach flu transmission. They are:
- If a person eats foods or drinks liquids that are already infected by the stomach flu virus, that person can be infected by it. Most of the cases of stomach flu are the results of this type of transmission of virus. It is also called stomach flu caused due to food-poisoning.
- When stomach flu viruses exist on the surface of any object and that surface is touched by any healthy person, the virus goes with the hands of that person. If these virus carrying hand comes in touch with any internal part of body (mouth, eye or nose) the flu begins to develop.
- If the healthy person comes in the direct physical contact with an infected person who is showing the stomach flu symptoms, it can cause the infection of stomach flu.
People who are working in nursing homes and labs are more likely to have stomach flu infection. Therefore, they must be more careful about the safety and self-hygiene.
Risk factors For the Spread of Stomach Flu
Stomach flu can be found worldwide. Its each types of virus become active n different types of seasons. For instance, astrovirus and rotavirus are more active in winter month, and adenovirus remains active throughout the year. Following are the places where stomach flu virus can easily spread:
- Childcare centers
- Nursing homes
- Schools
- Households
- Dormitories
- Restaurants
- Cruise ships
Generally, the places where people gather in numbers have more chances of stomach flu virus transmission. Hence, people must be alert when they are going to visit any such places where flu virus can be infected.
Adult Stomach Flu Transmission
Norovirus and Norwalk viruses are common viruses of stomach flu in adults. Stomach flu in adults can be seen in the following conditions:
- If the adult person is a family member of infected children
- Adult person with more age
- A person with the disease like AIDS, HIV or cancer, or with decreased immune system
Stomach flu can be found even after two weeks of recovery from the disease, so they can also spread the virus. These people do not feel any symptoms of stomach flu but carry the virus. Another way to get infection is by breathing in the air when an infected person vomits. This may lead to rapid spread of stomach flu if the necessary actions are not taken immediately.
