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Causes of Diarrhea: Stomach Flu

What we typically call “stomach flu” is actually known as gastroenteritis and it has nothing to do with influenza.

Woman holding stomach

What is Stomach Flu?

Stomach flu is a common condition where the stomach and intestines are irritated and inflamed by viral or bacterial toxins.24

What causes it?

The most common causes are25,26:

  • Viruses (Norovirus in adults, Rotavirus in children)

  • Drinking contaminated water (travelers’ diarrhea)

  • Food poisoning

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of stomach flu may include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually resolve within a few days.24

How to relieve your diarrhea

IMODIUM® products contain an active ingredient called Loperamide, which works to relieve your diarrhea by helping to restore your lower digestive system’s natural rhythm.3 If symptoms persist for more than two days or get worse, stop use and consult your healthcare professional.

Tips for managing diarrhea

3. Schiller LR, Santa Ana CA, Morawski SG, Fordtran JS. Mechanism of the antidiarrheal effect of loperamide. http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(84)80161-4/pdf. Gastroenterology. 1984;86(6):1475-1480.

23. Hall AJ, Wikswo ME, Manikonda K, Roberts VA, Yoder JS, Gould LH. Acute gastroenteritis surveillance through the National Outbreak Reporting System, United States. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/19/8/pdfs/13-0482.pdf. Emerg Infect Dis. 2013;19(8):1305-1309.

24. DuPont HL; Practice Parameters Committee of the American College of Gastroenterology. Guidelines on acute infectious diarrhea in adults. http://s3.gi.org/physicians/guidelines/InfectiousDiarrhea.pdf. Am J Gastroenterol. 1997;92(11):1962-1975.

25. Connor BA. Travelers’ diarrhea. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/the-pre-travel-consultation/.... July 10, 2015. Accessed November 9, 2015.

26. Food poisoning. Mayo Clinic Web site. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-poisoning/basics/defi.... July 24, 2014. Accessed November 13, 2015.

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