Stomach Flu Virus
Stomach flu is a contagious disease that can be infected through virus. The four main types of viruses include adenovirus, astrovirus, rotavirus and caliciviruses. All these viruses attack the small intestine; therefore they all have similar symptoms. Some of these viruses mostly attack the children and cause more severe symptoms than others. These stomach flu viruses are called viral gastroenteritis in medical terms.
- Rotavirus
Rotavirus is the most common cause for the stomach flu in children. It mostly affects the children below 15 months, and it also causes diarrhea in children who are under 5 year's age. Its symptoms can be detected after 2 days from when a person is exposed to it. It causes symptoms like watery diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. This stomach virus infects mostly to the adults who are close to the infected children. November and April have number of stomach flu cases due to this type of virus.
- Adenovirus
This stomach flu virus mainly infects the children under two years' age. There are 49 types of adenoviruses, and out which one virus affects the gastrointestinal tract and causes vomiting and diarrhea. Its infection occurs throughout a year, and its symptoms can be seen after one week of the exposure.
- Caliciviruses
This type of virus is found in the people of all categories of ages. Caliciviruses have four types of subtypes viruses in which noroviruses are the most common. Noroviruses cause epidemics of stomach flu in the world. The symptoms of these viruses include headache, fatigue, muscle pains, diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms of stomach flu causes by caliciviruses can be seen after 3 days of its exposure. Doctors believe that 50% of the cases of stomach flu which cause from foods are the result of caliciviruses.
- Astroviruses
The astrovirus infection is mostly found in elders and infants. Winter months see the development of astroviruses. Its symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting takes 1 to 3 days to appear.
Stomach flu is also known as infectious Gastroenteritis. It is caused due to viruses as well as the bacteria. The most dangerous bacteria that cause the stomach flu are called Pseudomembranous colitis. Patients infected by these bacteria suffer from diarrhea, and they are given antibiotics during the treatment. Other bacteria of stomach flu are Campylobacter and Shigella, which are also treated with antibiotics.
To conclude, each virus is different for its characteristics and effects. For instance, astrovirus and rotavirus are more active in the months of winter, as the cases of stomach flu caused due to these viruses are frequent in this period. On the other hand, adenovirus can be seen though the whole year. These viruses spread through the places like schools, nursing homes and childcare institutes. Stomach flu viruses differ in their symptoms and effects generally. Therefore, various treatment methods are used for them.
