The common cold is a viral infectious disease that infects the upper respiratory system. It is also known as acute viral rhinopharyngitis, or acute coryza. Being the most common infectious disease in humans, the cold is mainly caused by coronaviruses or rhinoviruses.
If you have bacterial gastroenteritis, bacteria have caused an infection in your gut. This usually results in your stomach and intestines becoming inflamed, and youâll probably experience unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting, severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea.umerous kinds of bacteria can cause gastroenteritis, including: 1  yersinia (found in pork). 2  staphylococcus (found in dairy products, meat, and eggs). 3  shigella (associated with water and found in swimming pools). 4  salmonella (found in meat, dairy products, and eggs).
Although not as common, bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella can also trigger the stomach flu. Salmonella and campylobacter bacteria are the most common bacterial causes of gastroenteritis in the U.S. and are usually spread by undercooked poultry, eggs, or poultry juices.