Word parts
What it means
Often called "stomach flu", though it has nothing to do with influenza. Norovirus is the most common cause in adults and rotavirus in unvaccinated young children. It brings vomiting, watery diarrhea and stomach cramps, usually for 1 to 3 days, and spreads easily through the stool-to-mouth route, shared surfaces and food.
For the nurse
The main danger is dehydrationdee-hy-DRAY-shunA state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.de- remove, lack ofhydr/o water-ation processFull entry , especially in babies and older adults: watch intake and output, weight and mental status, and give oral rehydration solutionOR-ul ree-hy-DRAY-shun suh-LOO-shunA drink with a set mix of water, salts and sugar, used to replace fluid lost through diarrhea or vomiting.Full entry . Use contact precautions and wash hands with soap and water for norovirus, since alcohol rub works poorly against it.
At a glance
| Spanish | gastroenteritis viral |
|---|---|
| Also written | stomach flu |
Related terms
dehydration
A state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.
diarrhea
Loose or watery stools, usually three or more times a day or more often than normal for the person.
-itis
A word ending that means inflammation.
enter/o
A word part that means intestine, usually the small intestine.
gastr/o
A word part that means stomach.
oral rehydration solution
A drink with a set mix of water, salts and sugar, used to replace fluid lost through diarrhea or vomiting.