Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestinal lining.

Usually caused by infectious agents, but also by drugs, medications, and toxins.

Acquisition is via contaminated food or water, person-to-person, or through zoonotic spread.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.

GENERAL TREATMENT

Most forms are self-limited and are treated with supportive care (be sure to avoid dehydration, especially in children and elderly).

Some forms of parasitic and bacterial infections can be treated with medications.

RISK FACTORS

Poor food/water hygiene

Recent antibiotic use

Immunocompromised state

Crowded settings (daycares, military barracks, nursing homes)

DIAGNOSIS

History, signs/symptoms, stool testing.

VIRAL GASTROENTERITIS

Acute onset with watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.

Self-limited, lasts up to 3 days.

Common pathogens:

Norovirus Adenovirus Astrovirus

Rotavirus, which is a common cause of gastroenteritis in children; it is highly contagious.

Learn more about viral gastroenteritis in this tutorial: Gastroenteritis & Hepatitis.

BACTERIAL GASTROENTERITIS

Acute onset with fever, bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain.

If contaminated food is the source, incubation period is up to 6 hours.

If bacterial infection is the source, incubation period is up to 3 days.

Self-limited, lasts up to 7 days. Antibiotics can treat diarrhea, but can cause complications (colitis).

Common pathogens:

Review these common pathogens in this full tutorial: E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia

PARASITIC GASTROENTERITIS

Onset within 7 days of exposure.

Usually characterized by watery diarrhea.

Self-limited, lasts 7 days or more.

Common pathogens:

Giardia Entamoeba hystolytica Cryptosporidium

Review these pathogens in these tutorials:

Review Nematodes that cause intestinal infections: Nematodes