Which one should you use?
While gastroenteritis is the standard term, you may encounter more descriptive formal expressions like La gastroenteritis viral, La infección gastrointestinal viral or La enfermedad gastrointestinal de origen viral to specify the viral nature of the illness. In informal settings, some people use the phrase La gripe del estómago.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Gastroenteritis is the formal medical term. For highly formal descriptions, you might see La gastroenteritis viral, La infección gastrointestinal viral or La enfermedad gastrointestinal de origen viral. Conversely, La gripe del estómago is an informal way to refer to the condition.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the formal expressions gastroenteritis aguda and gastroenteritis vírica are used to describe stomach flu.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word gastroenteritis is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡastɾoenteˈɾitis/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific word empacho for a type of stomach upset caused by overeating, which is distinct from the viral gastroenteritis.
- While English speakers use 'flu' to describe both respiratory and digestive issues, a Spanish speaker using la gripe for a stomach ailment is using a metaphor that might confuse a doctor.
- The Greek root gaster in the word gastroenteritis is the same ancestor found in the English word 'gastronomy'.
Examples in context
- El paciente sufre de una infección gastrointestinal viral. Debe guardar reposo y consumir líquidos.The patient is suffering from stomach flu. They should rest and drink fluids.
- Me siento muy mal, creo que tengo la gripe del estómago.I feel really sick. I think I have the stomach flu.
- El médico dice que es una gastroenteritis.The doctor says it is gastroenteritis.
- Es difícil trabajar con esta gastroenteritis.It is hard to work with this gastroenteritis.
Example conversation
Mateo tells Elena why he missed work.
- MateoNo fui a trabajar por una gastroenteritis.I didn't go to work because of the stomach flu.
- ElenaLo siento, Mateo. ¿Te sientes mejor?I'm sorry, Mateo. Do you feel better?
- MateoSí, pero todavía tengo mucha sed.Yes, but I am still very thirsty.
- ElenaBebe mucha agua para recuperarte.Drink plenty of water to recover.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gastroenteritis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
