Gastroenteritis: The 13 Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

5. Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is a common and understandable symptom of gastroenteritis. The muscles in the wall of the small intestine contract in an effort to expel the infection, which leads to pain in this region. Anti-diarrheal medications can help alleviate this symptom if an infection is not the cause, but should be avoided if other signs such as vomiting or fever are also present. In the latter case, taking medications that prevent vomiting or diarrhea can prolong the illness, as these actions are how the body rids itself of the virus.