Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a condition where the stomach and intestines are infected. Vomiting and diarrhoea are the most common symptoms for this disease. The symptoms generally resolve within a few days. Hospital treatment may be required in case of severe symptoms. Diarrhoea can cause dehydration which in the most severe cases can be fatal. In such a condition immediate medical treatment is required. Gastroenteritis is a very common condition and can be caused by viral or bacterial infection. Food poisoning can result in development of bacterial gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is treated by replacing the fluids lost by diarrhoea. Antibiotics may be used in severe cases where specific bacterial infection is identified. Gastroenteritis is highly infectious in most of the cases. It is necessary to practise good hygiene to stop it from spreading.

Symptoms of Gastroenteritis

Some common symptoms of gastroenteritis are
– vomiting,
– a mild fever.
-nausea
– diarrhoea,
-headache
-stomach cramps

Dehydration can result into fatal consequences. So care must be taken if symptoms of dehydration occur.

The common symptoms of dehydration include
– dizziness,
-tiredness
-headaches
-nausea
-pinched face and sunken eyes
-muscle cramps
-dry mouth
-apathy
– a decrease in, or total absence of urine production
-increase in rate of heartbeat.

It is necessary to consult the GP immediately in the following cases
– if blood is noticed in your vomit or diarrhoea
-if you are unable to keep any fluids down for more than 24 hours
-if you are experiencing severe abdominal pain,
-if you are unable to keep any fluids down for more than 24 hours,
– If the symptoms of dehydration continue or worsen despite drinking plenty of fluids,
-if the symptoms do not get better after three days

People who are more vulnerable to gastroenteritis are
-the elderly people
-pregnant woman
– people who have a weakened immune system
– people who have inflammatory bowel disease, or kidney disease.

Causes

Some of the causes of gastroenteritis are:

Norovirus- Viral gastroenteritis in adults is generally caused due to norovirus. This illness spreads very easily from person to person. Norovirus can survive for several days in a contaminated area. So hospitals, schools and nursing homes are common places where people can be affected by this illness. These viruses can spread easily through:
– Contact with an infected person,
– By eating or drinking contaminated food.
– Contact with object or surface contaminated with the virus.
Food poisoning – It is the most common cause for bacterial gastroenteritis. Food poisoning may also lead to viral gastroenteritis.
Contaminated water – Drinking water that is contaminated with human or animal faeces can cause gastroenteritis.
Antibiotics – Certain antibiotics kill off the friendly bacteria that live in stomach and intestine. This makes a person susceptible to bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis.
.

Treatment

Most cases of gastroenteritis can be treated at home using self-care techniques. Any fluid that you have lost through diarrhoea and vomiting should be replaced. If the dehydration case is very serious, hospital treatment is required. Loperamide helps in relieving the symptoms of diarrhoea. Antibiotics are normally not suggested for the treatment of gastroenteritis.