What is gastroenteritis and what causes it?
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut (intestines). The severity can range from a mild tummy upset for a day or two with some mild diarrhoea, to severe diarrhoea and vomiting for several days or longer. Many viruses, bacteria and other microbes (germs) can cause gastroenteritis. A virus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis. Norovirus is the most common virus causing gastroenteritis in adults in the UK. Viruses are easily spread from one person to another by close contact. This is often because of the virus being present on people’s hands after they have been to the toilet. Surfaces or objects touched by the infected person can also allow transmission of the virus. The virus can also be passed on if the infected person prepares food. Outbreaks of a virus causing gastroenteritis in many people can occur. For example, in schools, hospitals or nursing homes. Food poisoning (eating food infected with microbes) causes some cases of gastroenteritis. Many different types of microbe