{"id":41194,"date":"2021-09-14T14:07:32","date_gmt":"2021-09-14T18:07:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=41194"},"modified":"2026-01-28T13:57:57","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:57:57","slug":"rotavirus-vs-norovirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/rotavirus-vs-norovirus\/","title":{"rendered":"Rotavirus vs. norovirus vs. stomach flu: Compare causes, symptoms, treatments & more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Causes<\/a> | Similarities<\/a> | Prevalence<\/a> | Symptoms<\/a> | Diagnosis<\/a> | Treatments<\/a> | Risk factors<\/a> | Prevention<\/a> | When to see a doctor<\/a> | FAQs<\/a> | Resources<\/a><\/p>\n

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea\u2014most people refer to these symptoms as having a \u201c<\/span>stomach bug<\/span><\/a>\u201d or \u201c<\/span>stomach flu<\/span><\/a>,\u201d but the medical term for the <\/span>stomach flu<\/span> is <\/span>viral gastroenteritis<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of your intestines\u2014over <\/span>20 million people<\/span><\/a> in the U.S. experience this illness every year. The <\/span>stomach flu<\/span>, or <\/span>viral gastroenteritis<\/span>, is most often caused by viruses. However, the viruses that cause <\/span>stomach flu<\/span> are not the same as those that cause influenza (the flu that causes fever, body pains, and respiratory symptoms).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Two <\/span>common causes<\/span> of <\/span>viral gastroenteritis<\/span> are <\/span>rotavirus<\/span> and <\/span>norovirus<\/span>. <\/span>Adenovirus<\/span>, <\/span>sapovirus<\/span>, and <\/span>astrovirus<\/span> are other viruses that can cause stomach problems but are less common than <\/span>rotavirus<\/span> and <\/span>norovirus<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rotavirus<\/span> is a virus that causes gastrointestinal symptoms, primarily in infants and <\/span>young children<\/span>. The rotavirus vaccine can prevent <\/span>rotavirus<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Norovirus<\/span> is a common virus that can cause gastroenteritis. <\/span>Norovirus<\/span> is the most <\/span>common cause<\/span> of vomiting, diarrhea, and <\/span>foodborne illness<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>In this article, we will discuss <\/span>rotavirus<\/span> and <\/span>norovirus<\/span>. They have many similarities as well as many differences. Continue reading to learn all about <\/span>rotavirus<\/span> and <\/span>norovirus<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Causes<\/h2>\n

Rotavirus<\/span><\/h3>\n

Rotaviruses<\/span> are wheel-shaped <\/span>RNA<\/span> viruses that belong to a family called <\/span>Reoviridae<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In most cases, <\/span>rotavirus<\/span> spreads from <\/span>fecal-oral contact<\/span><\/a>. When a person is infected with <\/span>rotavirus<\/span>, the virus is shed in the stool. The virus can then infect others. For example, a person may not wash their hands well, and then puts food in their mouth and\/or handles food that someone else eats. Or, someone may touch a surface (the virus can live on surfaces for a while) that is contaminated and put their fingers in the mouth. In less common cases, the virus can be spread by sneezing or coughing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Norovirus<\/span><\/h3>\n

Noroviruses<\/span> are <\/span>RNA<\/span> viruses that belong to the <\/span>Caliciviridae<\/span><\/a> family and are sometimes referred to as the <\/span>Norwalk virus<\/span>. According to the U.S. <\/span>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span> (<\/span>CDC<\/span>), if you think you have a stomach bug, <\/span>stomach flu<\/span>, or <\/span>food poisoning<\/span>, it is likely caused by <\/span>norovirus<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

People with <\/span>norovirus <\/span>shed billions of microscopic particles in feces or vomit that are very contagious. It only takes a few particles to get sick. Food can be contaminated with norovirus in several ways, such as when an infected person has feces or vomit particles on their hands and then touches food, or when food is placed on a surface with particles of feces or vomit on it. Most outbreaks occur in food service settings. Water can also become contaminated with norovirus. Surfaces can become infected as well, for example, when an infected person has feces or vomit particles on their hands and touches a surface, or when contaminated food or water is placed on a surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Rotavirus vs. norovirus causes<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Rotavirus<\/b><\/td>\nNorovirus<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • The virus is shed in the stool and then most often spreads through fecal-oral contact.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Poor <\/span>hand-washing<\/span> and handling of food can spread <\/span>rotavirus<\/span>.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Touching a contaminated surface then putting fingers in the mouth can spread <\/span>rotavirus<\/span>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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