The 3 most common causes of vomiting that you should know

Viral infection that causes vomiting

The cause of gastroenteritis (vomiting) is divided into three parts, namely viral, bacterial and parasitic infections.

Nausea or stomach flu is also known as a digestive disorder that can affect anyone, both adults and children. One of the causes of this stomach flu is a viral infection. How can?

Most viruses can cause disease. However, the virus can "select" because it will only attack certain cells or tissues specifically. One of them is the digestive system which can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Well, various types of this virus can cause you diarrhea which can be accompanied by nausea to vomiting. Here's the list.

1. Rotavirus

One of the viruses that most often causes vomiting, especially in children and infants, is the rotavirus. Even so, even adults can be attacked by this virus.

Symptoms of vomiting due to rotavirus usually appear within 2 days of exposure. You or your child may feel physically fit during the first two days. This condition is called the incubation period, which is when the virus multiplies in the body.

After rotavirus infection starts to disturb the digestive system organs, it can certainly trigger disturbing symptoms, such as:

watery diarrhea,
nausea or vomiting,
fever,
stomach ache,
loss of appetite, as well
dehydration.

Generally, rotavirus-induced stomach flu symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea, can last 3 to 8 days. In addition, this symptom of vomiting needs to be watched out for because it can have a negative impact on the health of babies and young children.

Fortunately, a vaccine is now available to prevent rotavirus, which is generally given to infants and young children.

2. Norovirus

Apart from rotavirus, another type of virus that causes vomiting is norovirus. Unlike the previous types, this virus can evenly attack anyone, including infants, children and adults.

Norovirus usually affects people who travel frequently by boat, including on cruise ships. Unfortunately, this virus is more easily transmitted, especially when you touch the feces or vomit of a patient with vomiting.

In fact, norovirus can also be spread from raw foods, such as raw oysters and vegetables, or raw fruit. Just like rotavirus, the symptoms triggered by norovirus can trigger vomiting and loose stools.

3. Adenovirus

Adenovirus is a virus that usually attacks the upper respiratory tract. However, several cases have shown that this virus can cause vomiting, even one of the most easily transmitted through skin contact.

Apart from direct skin contact, this virus can also have other modes of transmission, namely handling contaminated objects and touching the area around the mouth. In fact, drinking water that is exposed to the virus is also at risk of being exposed to the virus that causes gastroenteritis.

The symptoms of vomiting caused by this virus are slightly different from other viruses. This is probably because adenovirus attacks the upper respiratory tract more frequently. Symptoms that arise are more or less:

pneumonia,
red eye (conjunctivitis),
sore throat, and
bronchitis.

4. Astrovirus

Like rotavirus, astrovirus is a virus that causes vomiting that tends to occur in infants, children and the elderly. These three age groups have one thing in common that is becoming more susceptible to viruses, namely a weak immune system.

The spread of this virus can occur through direct skin contact, such as:

not washing hands after shaking hands with a sick person,
touching feces or objects contaminated with the virus, as well
consumption of food or drink exposed to astrovirus.

Astrovirus infection causes vomiting with diarrhea symptoms. The good news is that astrovirus-induced diarrhea is not as severe as norovirus or rotavirus. Even so, astrovirus infection still requires diarrhea medication and other treatment.

Bacterial infection that causes vomiting

Did you know that less than 1% of bacteria can actually cause disease? This also applies to the type of bacteria that triggers the symptoms of the stomach flu. The types of bacteria that cause gastroenteritis include the following.

Yersinia commonly found in pork.
Staphylococcus commonly found in dairy products, meat and eggs.
Shigella commonly found in water, such as swimming pools.
Salmonella which is often found in meat, dairy products, and eggs.
Campylobacter often found in meat and poultry, and
E. coli which is commonly found in raw beef, vegetables, or fruit.

How are the bacteria that cause stomach flu transmitted?

Basically, the transmission of vomiting-causing bacteria can occur in the following ways.

1. Consumption of food or drink that is contaminated

You may be at risk of becoming infected with the bacteria that cause gastroenteritis by eating or drinking food that is contaminated with the bacteria. Food or drink can be exposed to bacteria due to improper storage, handling and cooking methods.

When you eat them, bacteria can enter the digestive system and cause inflammation. As a result, the symptoms of vomiting appear. In fact, this also applies when you touch the food or drink.

2. Direct skin contact

Apart from food and drink, you can also experience vomiting due to bacterial infection if you touch the surface of an object. The risk of transmission can also occur when coming into contact with patients with vomiting.

For example, when an infected person does not wash their hands after having a bowel movement it can make other objects they touch become contaminated with bacteria. If you hold the object and touch the mouth area, of course it is potentially infected.

Types of pathogens that cause vomiting

Not only viruses and bacteria, certain types of parasites can also cause stomach flu, namely Giardia and Cryptosporidium .

Giardia includes parasites commonly found in soil, food, or water contaminated by infected animal or human feces.

Meanwhile, Cryptosporidium is a parasite found in water, both drinking water and swimming pools.

Both parasites are equipped with a protective outer shell which allows them to survive outside the human body for a longer period of time.

By recognizing what causes stomach flu, it will be easier for you to get treatment from a doctor. The reason is, vomiting treatment will depend on what causes inflammation in your digestive system.

That is why, when you experience symptoms of vomiting, such as diarrhea and vomiting, consult your doctor to get the right treatment.