Table of content
What is gastroenteritis ……………………………………………………….. pg 1
How to prevent gastroenteritis…………………………………………………pg 2
Signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis………………………………………….pg 3
Causes of gastroenteritis…………………………………………………………pg 4
Transmission of gastroenteritis…………………………………………………pg 5
Diagnosis………………………………………………………………………...pg 6
History……………………………………………………………………………pg 7
What is gastroenteritis?
Gastroenteritis or infectious diarrhea is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that involves both the stomach and the small intestine resulting in some combination of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain and cramping. Gastroenteritis has also been referred to as gastro, stomach bug, and stomach virus. Although unrelated to influenza, it has also been called stomach flu and gastric flu.
Globally, most cases in children are caused by rotavirus. In adults, nor virus[3] and Campylobacter are more common. Less common causes include other bacteria (or their toxins) and parasites. Transmission may occur due to consumption of improperly prepared foods or contaminated water or via close contact with individuals who are infectious.
The key treatment is enough fluids. For mild or moderate cases, this can typically be achieved via oral dehydration solution (a combination of water, salts, and sugar). For more severe cases, intravenous fluids from a healthcare centre may be needed. Gastroenteritis primarily affects children and those in the developing world.
How to prevent gastroenteritis
The best way to prevent gastroenteritis is to eliminate or correct the cause. Some common causes are related to personal hygiene and food contamination.
A highly contagious virus, known as rotavirus, is often responsible for viral gastroenteritis and can be prevented by proper vaccination.
Here are a few general guidelines to help cut down the chances of contracting infection or acquiring the stomach flu:
• Wash hands periodically, especially before and after eating foods and after any contact with an infected person.
• Avoid direct contact with things used by any infected persons, such as their bed, clothes, napkins, etc.
• Avoid eating raw or undercooked foods, especially when traveling to a foreign country.
• Do not drink untreated water and juices or unpasteurized milk.
• Thoroughly wash fresh produce in clean running water before consumption.
• Drink only bottled water or other packaged juices and drinks.
• Boost your immunity by eating a well-balanced diet.
• Keep the body well-hydrated, maintain basic rules of sanitation, and contact a doctor immediately if you experience even mild symptoms of stomach virus.
Signs and symptoms
Gastroenteritis typically involves both diarrhea and vomiting, or less commonly, presents with only one or the other. Abdominal cramping may also be present Signs and symptoms usually begin 12–72 hours after contracting the infectious agent If due to a viral agent, the condition usually resolves within one week. Some viral causes may also be associated with fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain.[ If the stool is bloody, the cause is less likely to be viral and more likely to be bacterial. Some bacterial infections may be associated with severe abdominal pain and may persist for several weeks.
Children infected with rotavirus usually make a full recovery within three to eight days. However, in poor countries treatment for severe infections is often out of reach and persistent diarrhea is common.[ Dehydration is a common complication of diarrhea, and a child with a significant degree of dehydration may have a prolonged capillary refill, poor skin turgor, and abnormal breathing. Repeat infections are typically seen in
