Stomach Infections: Common Ones to Be Aware Of

Stomach infections are always unpleasant, and they are very common. It’s important to know what to watch for in case you have a stomach infection that needs to be treated. A stomach infection may be viral or bacterial. The type of infection that you have will determine how it can be treated by a doctor. A gastroenterologist will gauge whether the infection is viral or bacterial and will be able to tell you how to relieve symptoms until the infection is gone.

1. Bacterial Gastroenteritis

This type of gastroenteritis occurs less often than the viral kind. It’s highly common, but it can still create a lot of health problems that can be serious in some patients. The condition can cause abdominal cramps and pain, fever, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Vomiting and diarrhea can be severe in some cases, and this can lead to dehydration. The symptoms can be anywhere from mild to severe and life-threatening

It’s important to treat a bacterial stomach infection so that it doesn’t cause you to become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause liver damage, and this can be extremely serious. The illness can also cause a high fever, which can also be dangerous.

There are various types of bacteria that can cause bacterial gastroenteritis. These include salmonella, E. coli, shigella, campylobacter, and helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Your doctor may need to take a stool sample and/or a blood test to see what is causing the infection and how severe it is.

This type of stomach infection is often caused by poor hygiene or by eating contaminated food. It’s important to wash your hands often, especially before eating or cooking, to prevent this infection. Don’t leave food out for a long time because it’s consumed. If it’s been a while, it’s best to throw food out than take a chance that it may be contaminated. It’s also a good idea not to eat raw shellfish or eat fruit without washing it thoroughly.  

If you know that someone has a stomach infection, don’t come into contact with them. Use hand sanitizer regularly to kill bacteria. Don’t eat food that is undercooked, and throw out any foods that have been recalled because of a bacterial outbreak.

When a patient has this bacterial infection, they may need to get IV fluid replacement and may also need antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Antibiotics will often kill the infection in a few days.

2. Viral Gastroenteritis

Often called the “stomach flu,” this happens when a virus infects the gastrointestinal system. This type of gastroenteritis is more common than bacterial infections because it can be spread from person to person easily. If you have this type of infection, antibiotics won’t work to clear it up. Antiviral medication is also generally ineffective against it.

Viral gastroenteritis comes with many of the same symptoms as the bacterial type. These include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping or pain, fever, watery diarrhea, and weight loss. It can cause patients to have no appetite and/or not want to eat because of the symptoms. Like the bacterial version, this type can also cause dehydration which can be serious.

This condition usually spreads through infected people having contact with others. It can also be caused by food or water that’s contaminated. It often causes outbreaks in areas where people are close together such as in daycares, cruise ships, schools, and nursing homes. It’s important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and to avoid eating anything that may be contaminated.

The viral type usually only lasts for a few days, maybe even less, and you may not need treatment for it. If you get dehydrated, you may need IV fluids. Otherwise, it can be helpful just to rest and drink plenty of fluids until the illness passes. It’s especially important for people who are very young or very old to make sure they don’t get dehydrated, as this can be deadly.

There are many different kinds of stomach viruses that patients may get. These include noroviruses, the most common cause of foodborne illnesses in the world. They also include rotaviruses; a very common type children often catch. It may also be caused by adenoviruses or astroviruses.

3. H. Pylori Bacteria

This is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach and cause a number of problems. It can lead to the stomach lining, or the upper area of the small intestine, to become inflamed and form sores to develop. In some patients, this type of bacterial infection can cause stomach cancer.

H. pylori infections are so common because most people in the world already have this bacterium in their bodies. About two-thirds of all people have it, but it usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. When it does start to cause trouble, it’s the cause most commonly behind peptic ulcers. These are open sores that form in the digestive tract, and they can be painful.

This type of infection can be spread from person to person or come from food, water, or utensils that are contaminated. It can also be caused by kissing and by coming into contact with vomit or poop. It’s always important to make sure that the food you eat and the water you drink are clean and uncontaminated. Wash your hands often, especially when you’re preparing food or you’re about to eat. Stay away from people who are having stomach issues, and don’t allow them to prepare food for you.

It's common to get stomach infections, and many people get them at certain times of year or when they interact with certain groups. These infections often spread faster when people are indoors a lot such as in the winter or in an enclosed area like a cruise ship. Keeping a distance away from others when you’re in close quarters can be hard, but it’s necessary to prevent the spread of contagious types of stomach infections.

Wash your hands regularly, and use soap every time. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and dry your hands thoroughly after washing. Social distancing and handwashing can go a long way toward helping to prevent stomach infections that can be painful and debilitating.

If you’re having a lot of vomiting and/or diarrhea or you have a stomachache that’s bothering you, it’s best to see a doctor to find out whether there’s an active infection. It’s especially important to see a doctor if you feel dehydrated or you have blood in your stool.