Queen Elizabeth II hospitalized with stomach infection gastroenteritis

Queen Elizabeth II has been hospitalized. The 86-year-old monarch has been taken to King Edward VII Hospital as a precaution after she experienced symptoms of gastroenteritis.

"As a precaution, all official engagements for this week will regrettably be either postponed or cancelled," the palace says in a statement. The queen was scheduled to take a two-day trip to Rome later this week. She has already been forced to cancel an appearance in Wales.

Gastroenteritis is a stomach bug caused by an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain usually pass in one or two days, but could be more severe in elderly people. Dehydration is a common side effect.

"She is otherwise in good spirits and good health," a spokesperson tells CNN, which notes that Elizabeth was last hospitalized in 2003 for a knee injury.