Gastroenteritis (tummy bug) gives you diarrhoea and vomiting, and is usually caused by viral or bacterial infections.
With gastroenteritis, your stomach and intestines become irritated and inflamed.
Infants and young children, older people, and people with a weakened immune system are most at risk of getting a severe bout of gastroenteritis.
These illnesses can all result in gastroenteritis:
If you are concerned about gastroenteritis, call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or see your doctor or practice nurse.
Viral gastroenteritis is highly infectious, and large numbers of people can be affected in a short amount of time. It spreads very easily from person to person, by contact with the vomit or faeces (poo) of an infected person. This could be from shaking hands with someone who has been sick and has the virus on their hands, or from contaminated (unsafe) objects like door handles and cutlery, and food and drink.
People usually get bacterial gastroenteritis by eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated with the bacteria. Bacterial gastroenteritis is less easily passed from person to person, but large numbers of people may become affected from contaminated food or water.
There are specific requirements for notifiable diseases in the Auckland region.
Last updated 22.11.2022