What is the Difference Between Viral and Bacterial Gastroenteritis?

Viral and bacterial gastroenteritis are both infections of the digestive tract, but they have distinct differences in terms of causes, symptoms, and treatments. Here are the main differences between the two:

Causes: Viral gastroenteritis is caused by viruses such as rotavirus or norovirus, while bacterial gastroenteritis is caused by bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and E. Coli.
Duration: Viral gastroenteritis typically lasts from one to three days, whereas bacterial gastroenteritis can last up to a week or more.
Symptoms: Both viral and bacterial gastroenteritis can present with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. However, high fever, chills, and bloody diarrhea are more common with bacterial gastroenteritis.
Transmission: Viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious and can spread through contact with infected fecal matter. Bacterial gastroenteritis is primarily spread through contact with contaminated food or water.
Treatment: Viral gastroenteritis is often called "stomach flu" and typically resolves without medication. Bacterial gastroenteritis may be treated with antibiotics, but antibiotics will not be effective for viral infections.
Complications: Viral gastroenteritis is generally less severe and does not cause complications, while bacterial gastroenteritis can lead to severe dehydration, neurological problems, kidney failure, and even death if not treated appropriately.

It is essential to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen, persist for more than a few days, or are accompanied by severe pain, high fever, or bloody stools.

On this page

What is the Difference Between Viral and Bacterial Gastroenteritis?

Comparative Table: Viral vs Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Here is a table comparing the differences between viral and bacterial gastroenteritis:

Feature	Viral Gastroenteritis	Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Causes	Caused by various viruses, most commonly rotavirus, adenovirus, and norovirus	Caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter
Symptoms	Mild to moderate symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting	Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and may include diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and fever
Onset	Tends to have a gradual onset, with symptoms appearing a few days after exposure to the virus	Symptoms can appear more rapidly, sometimes within hours or days after exposure to the bacteria
Prevalence	Viral gastroenteritis is more common than bacterial gastroenteritis	Bacterial gastroenteritis is less common than viral gastroenteritis
Mode of Transmission	Spread through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected individuals	Spread through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected individuals, but also through poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation
Treatment	Symptomatic treatment, such as oral rehydration, rest, and maintaining a balanced diet	May require specific antibiotic treatment, depending on the bacterial cause

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.