From the Guidelines
Viral gastroenteritis typically lasts between 1 to 3 days, though it can sometimes persist for up to 6 days, especially in young children, elderly persons, and hospitalized patients. The primary focus during this time should be on maintaining hydration by drinking clear fluids like water, diluted fruit juices, or oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte 1. Small, frequent sips are better tolerated than large amounts at once. As symptoms improve, gradually reintroduce bland foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, and crackers (the BRAT diet).
Key Considerations
- Over-the-counter medications such as loperamide (Imodium) can help control diarrhea in adults, while acetaminophen (Tylenol) may reduce fever and discomfort, but avoid aspirin in children.
- The illness is self-limiting because the immune system naturally fights off the viral infection.
- Medical attention should be sought if symptoms persist beyond 6 days, if there's severe dehydration (decreased urination, extreme thirst, dizziness), high fever above 102°F (39°C), bloody stools, or if the affected person is very young, elderly, or has a compromised immune system 1.
Specific Virus Considerations
- Rotavirus gastroenteritis, for example, begins with acute onset of fever and vomiting followed 24 to 48 hours later by watery diarrhea, and symptoms generally persist for 3 to 8 days 1.
- However, the most recent and highest quality study on norovirus gastroenteritis suggests that symptoms typically resolve without treatment after 1–3 days in otherwise healthy persons 1.
From the Research
Viral Gastroenteritis Average Duration
- The average duration of viral gastroenteritis is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 2, 3, 4.
- However, it is mentioned that acute gastroenteritis is usually self-limiting 2, suggesting that it typically resolves on its own within a certain timeframe.
- A study on improving ondansetron use and oral rehydration instructions for pediatric acute gastroenteritis found that ondansetron use decreases the need for intravenous fluids, reduces hospitalizations, and shortens illness duration 4.
- Another study examined the efficacy, safety, and palatability of different oral rehydration solutions for viral gastroenteritis in adults, but did not report on the average duration of the illness 3.
- Overall, while the exact average duration of viral gastroenteritis is not specified, the studies suggest that it is a self-limiting condition that can be managed with appropriate treatment, such as oral rehydration therapy and anti-emetic medications 2, 4.