The gastrointestinal virus

Definition

The gastrointestinal virus triggers a gastroenteritis and is characterized by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (diarrhea). In most cases, this is a self-limiting disease, but more severe courses can also occur.

Symptoms of a gastrointestinal virus

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Inflated belly
  • Muscle aches
  • Headaches

The symptoms caused by a gastrointestinal virus usually appear very quickly and very aggressively. Sudden nausea, strong vomiting, stomach pain and a bloated stomach (flatus) are among the classic symptoms. Rarely muscle pain (myalgia) or headaches occur in addition.

In most cases, the symptoms appear just a few hours after the infection, in rare cases it takes up to 48 hours until the infection breaks out in a fulminant way. In patients with a good immune system, however, it is also possible that the gastrointestinal virus only causes mild stomach discomfort or a slight feeling of discomfort. Caution is especially important for small children and older patients.

Due to the torrential vomiting and the watery diarrhoea, there is not only a loss of water but also a loss of so-called electrolytes, i.e. sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium. For this reason, electrolyte derailment and dehydration are feared in small children, in elderly patients and generally in all persons who have the gastrointestinal virus for several days. Therefore it is important to consult a doctor if symptoms persist for a long time or to have a doctor come home to give the patient a volume substitution, i.e. water enriched with different electrolytes.

Especially with older patients such a volume substitution can be necessary to avoid consequential damages. Due to the lack of water, a strong drop in blood pressure can occur (hypotension) and in the worst case, a functional impairment of the kidney which in the worst case can be accompanied by kidney failure. This is only relevant, however, if the patient has not seen a doctor after days of severe vomiting or diarrhea in order to receive a volume substitution.

In some patients, fever is added to the gastrointestinal complaints (gastrointestinal complaints). As soon as the fever rises above 39°C, a doctor should be informed. In summary, the gastrointestinal virus is associated with sudden onset of abdominal pain, watery diarrhea and frequent vomiting.

Only in rare cases does an asymptomatic course, i.e. infection with the gastrointestinal virus, occur without visible symptoms. Special caution is required in infants. Firstly, because they cannot report their pain and discomfort exactly, and secondly because the gastrointestinal virus can have a much stronger effect on infants than on adults. Basically, diarrhoea is the leading symptom of a gastrointestinal virus disease and therefore all those affected suffer from it. If there is no diarrhoea, it is probably another disease or the germ count was so low that the immune system fought the viruses and therefore no symptoms such as diarrhoea developed.