Definition

Noun: * Gastroenteritis: An inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, typically resulting in symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. It is often caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Usage

• The term "stomach flu" is a common, informal name for gastroenteritis. It is important to note that it is not caused by the influenza virus.
• It is used to describe a temporary illness characterized primarily by digestive system upset.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "A bout of stomach flu": A short period of illness caused by gastroenteritis.
  • He missed three days of school after a severe bout of stomach flu.

Variants and Related Words

• Gastroenteritis (n): The formal medical term for the condition.
• Gastric flu (n): A less common variant with the same meaning.
• Intestinal flu (n): Another informal term emphasizing intestinal symptoms.
• Viral gastroenteritis (n): Specifies the cause as a virus, which is the most common.

Synonyms

• Gastroenteritis
• Gastric flu (informal)
• Intestinal flu (informal)
• Winter vomiting bug (informal, chiefly UK)

Notes on Meaning

While "stomach flu" is a widely understood colloquial term, it is medically imprecise. The primary meaning is gastroenteritis. It should not be confused with influenza ("the flu"), which is a respiratory illness with different symptoms like fever, cough, and body aches.

Noun

1. inflammation of the stomach and intestines; can be caused by Salmonella enteritidis