Is my stomach growling? Could it be gastroenteritis?

Since Tuesday morning, my stomach has been gurgling, and on Monday I had one episode of watery diarrhea and one of normal stool. After that, I was afraid to eat and my body ached as if I had a cold, so I didn't eat anything all day Monday and just kept sleeping. On Wednesday, I didn't have any food, so I didn't have a bowel movement, but my stomach kept gurgling. The body aches continued, and I was so weak that I ate rice and seolleongtang (beef bone soup) around lunchtime. Fortunately, I didn't have a bowel movement after lunch, but because of the body aches, I took cold medicine for body aches and just kept sleeping. Today, fortunately, the body aches have improved a lot. I also ate rice cake soup in the morning, and there were no issues. However, I still have faint symptoms of stomach gurgling.

 

Are you currently experiencing a viral gastroenteritis outbreak? Could it be gastroenteritis?

 

Symptoms of enteritis

Gastroenteritis reduces digestive function, causing symptoms such as indigestion, vomiting, chills, and diarrhea.

Bacteria that cause enteritis include pathogenic Escherichia coli such as Salmonella, Vibrio, and Staphylococcus, among others.

Viruses include rotaviruses, noroviruses, and norwalk viruses.

 

<Onset Period>

Typically, symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever appear within 6 to 7 hours, or at most within 24 hours.

If it has fully penetrated into the blood vessels, high fever, chills, and shock may occur, and hospitalization is absolutely necessary.

 

My coworker has gastroenteritis, and I'm worried that I might have caught it during our meal together. The symptoms weren't severe, but I did have diarrhea and experienced body aches like chills, so I'm suspicious.

 

<Prevention of Enteritis>

It is recommended to wash your hands frequently and consume foods that help monitor hygiene. If symptoms of enteritis have already appeared, it is best to fast as much as possible to rest the stomach and intestines, and to drink electrolyte beverages to stay well-hydrated. Even after symptoms improve, it is advisable to eat gentle, non-irritating foods like plain rice porridge, and since irritable bowel symptoms may persist for about one to two months, it is best to avoid overeating.

 

My symptoms have significantly improved compared to the first day they appeared, so I plan to be cautious with my diet for now.

And I should wash my hands more thoroughly than usual and put more effort into hygiene management.

However, if your stomach rumbles loudly just from eating, it would be a good idea to visit the hospital, right?