# What is a so-called stomach flu? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 17, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-so-called-stomach-flu/285208 "2005-01-17T16:36:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-so-called-stomach-flu/285208/1 "2005-01-17T16:36:32Z")
Ostensibly credible sources tell me that infuenza (sp?) is not something that affects the stomach & bowels; but when people vomit and have diarrhea for a day, they call it a “stomach flu.” What exactly causes these short-term fits of digestive distress? What should they be called? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-so-called-stomach-flu/285208/2 "2005-01-17T16:45:41Z")
More often than not, it’s some minor form of food poisoning such as salmonella or _e. coli_. It’s almost never (if ever) any sort of influenza. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-so-called-stomach-flu/285208/3 "2005-01-17T16:46:34Z")
> [@js\_africanus](#): > > What exactly causes these short-term fits of digestive distress? What should they be called? Usually viruses, like enteroviruses. Sometimes food poisoning which may be caused by toxins, bacteria, or viruses. If you’re mostly vomiting, call it gastritis. If it’s mostly diarrhea, call it enteritis. If you’re lucky enough to have both, call it gastro-enteritis. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-so-called-stomach-flu/285208/4 "2005-01-17T16:47:42Z")
“Stomach flu” is simply a gastrointestinal virus. [http://www.the-health-pages.com/education/stomache\_flu.html](http://www.the-health-pages.com/education/stomache_flu.html) > [@](#): > > Stomach flu is often called “intestinal flu.” It’s an illness caused by a virus, and it can produce different symptoms in different people. Some people develop a sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion similar to a common cold. This may be what’s called “upper respiratory flu.” > > What people call stomach flu is usually marked by nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and a general sick feeling. [http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha\_gastroen\_crs.htm](http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_gastroen_crs.htm) > [@](#): > > Gastroenteritis is caused by swallowing certain viruses. The body fluids of infected people contain the virus, sometimes even before their symptoms begin. The virus can be spread by direct contact with an infected person (for example, kissing or shaking hands) or by sharing food, drink, or eating utensils. > > The virus enters the stomach and intestine and inflames the lining of these organs. As a result, the stomach and intestine are temporarily unable to perform their usual functions. The virus can also cause food to move more rapidly through your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. > > Some bacteria and other tiny organisms called protozoa can cause infections that have symptoms similar to those of stomach flu. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-so-called-stomach-flu/285208/5 "2005-01-17T16:47:46Z")
Er, that’s not to imply that salmonella is a minor ailment - it can get quite bad, even fatal. I just meant some cases are fairly mild sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-so-called-stomach-flu/285208/6 "2005-01-17T16:48:30Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > It’s almost never (if ever) any sort of influenza. Actually, with kids, they can vomit a lot with influenza. In adults, it is uncommon, but not rare. QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-so-called-stomach-flu/285208/7 "2005-01-17T16:53:03Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Actually, with kids, they can vomit a lot with influenza. In adults, it is uncommon, but not rare. Ah, thanks. I’ve never had it ( 😃 ), so I can only go by what I’ve read/heard/been told. ---
**Author:** ![gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eb8c5e/32.png) [@gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gentle)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-so-called-stomach-flu/285208/8 "2005-01-17T16:53:49Z")
Technically: [Viral Gastroenteritis](http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_gastroen_crs.htm). People generally aren’t doctors, though. Many people use the term “stomach flu” to describe various undefined illnesses involving nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria or parasites. [This search may be useful](http://www.google.com/search?q=%22stomach+flu%22). ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-so-called-stomach-flu/285208/9 "2005-01-17T17:06:32Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > If you’re mostly vomiting, call it gastritis. If it’s mostly diarrhea, call it enteritis. If you’re lucky enough to have both, call it gastro-enteritis. In dogs, small bowel diarrhea often progresses to involve the large intestine, hence gastro-enterocolitis. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-so-called-stomach-flu/285208/10 "2005-01-17T17:10:15Z")
> [@js\_africanus](#): > > What exactly causes these short-term fits of digestive distress? People not washing their hands. Didn’t Cecil answer this one? One would prefer to think the germs came from stuff sneezed or coughed into the air (hence “flu” as a euphanism maybe?). But you actually got it from e. coli on a doorknob. How does e. coli get on a doorknob (insert either :rolleyes: or :eek: here)