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Stomach Flu Symptoms

For people with stomach flu, symptoms may include watery diarrhea, vomiting, and body aches. Other symptoms of stomach flu include fever, chills, and a general sense of tiredness. In most cases, stomach flu symptoms last from 1 to 10 days, depending on which virus is responsible for the stomach flu.

 

Stomach Flu Symptoms: An Overview

When a person becomes infected with a stomach flu virus (see Types of Stomach Flu Viruses), the virus begins to multiply within the small intestine. After approximately 1 to 2 days, stomach flu symptoms can appear. This period between the stomach flu transmission and the start of symptoms is the "stomach flu incubation period." In some cases, the stomach flu incubation period can be as short as 4 hours.
 

Common Stomach Flu Symptoms

Not all people who are infected with a stomach flu virus will exhibit symptoms of the illness. If stomach flu symptoms do occur, the illness begins suddenly. Common stomach flu symptoms include:
 
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Watery diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramping ("stomach ache")
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dehydration.
     
Other stomach flu symptoms can include:
 
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • General sense of tiredness.
     
Stomach flu symptoms can last anywhere from 1 to 10 days, depending on which virus a person is infected with. Stomach flu symptoms can be mild to severe.
 

Stomach Flu Symptoms: Summary

The symptoms discussed above are not sure signs of stomach flu. A number of other infections and conditions can cause similar symptoms. If you or your child develops possible stomach flu symptoms, visit your healthcare provider so that the problem can be properly diagnosed and treated.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD