Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut. It causes diarrhoea, and may also cause vomiting, abdominal pain and other symptoms. In most cases the infection clears over several days, but sometimes takes longer.

A virus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis. For example, infection with noroviruses and adenoviruses are common causes of gastroenteritis in adults in the UK, but other viruses can also be the cause.

Food poisoning (eating food infected with microbes) causes some cases of gastroenteritis.

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• The main symptom is diarrhoea, often with vomiting as well. Diarrhoea means loose or watery stools (faeces), usually at least three times in 24 hours. Blood or mucus can appear in the stools with some infections.
• Crampy pains in your abdomen (tummy) are common. Pains may ease for a while each time you pass some diarrhoea.