Acute Gastroenteritis

infection or irritation of the digestive tract, particularly the stomach and intestine. Gastroenteritis Causes Gastroenteritis has many causes. Viruses and bacteria are the most common. The infection can spread from person to person because of improper handwashing following a bowel movement or handling a soiled diaper. Noroviruses can be transmitted and infect individuals by o o o o contaminated food and liquids, touching objects contaminated with norovirus and then placing the hands or fingers in the mouth, direct contact with an infected individual (for example, exposure to norovirus when caring or sharing foods, drinks, eating utensils with an affected individual, and exposure to infected individuals and objects in daycare centers and nursing homes.

Norovirus is often in the news when cruise ship passengers contract the virus, which causes gastroenteritis.

Other Common Causes of Gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis that is not contagious to others can be caused by chemical toxins, most often found in seafood, food allergies, heavy metals, antibiotics, and other medications. Gastroenteritis Follow-up After an infection or irritation of the digestive tract, the person may not be able to eat a regular diet. Some people may be unable to tolerate dairy products for several weeks after the disease has run its course. The diet should be advanced slowly from bland nondairy soups and grain products to a solid meal. If symptoms continue or worsen, call a health care practitioner. Food handlers should not return to work until their symptoms have resolved. Salmonella infections are a special case; those who work in the medical profession or who are food handlers need to have negative stool cultures for Salmonella before being allowed to return to work. Gastroenteritis Treatment Gastroenteritis Self-Care and Home Remedies The treatment of gastroenteritis is aimed at hydration and home remedies that address keeping fluid in the body are key to recovery. Small frequent offerings of clear fluids, sometimes only a mouthful at a time, may be enough to replenish the body's fluid stores and prevent an admission to the hospital for intravenous (IV) fluid administration. Dehydration in children Oral rehydration therapy using balanced electrolyte solutions such as Pedialyte or Gatorade/Powerade may be all that is needed to replenish the fluid supply in an infant or child. Plain water is not recommended because it can dilute the electrolytes in the body and cause complications such as seizures due to low sodium. The key to oral rehydration is small frequent feedings.

Gastroenteritis Prevention- With most infections, the key is to block the spread of the organism. Always wash your hands. Eat properly prepared and stored food. Bleach soiled laundry. Vaccinations for Vibrio cholerae, and rotavirus have been developed. Rotavirus vaccination is recommended for infants in the U.S.. Vaccines for V. cholerae may be administered to individuals traveling in at-risk areas.

When to Seek Medical Care Most often gastroenteritis is self-limiting, but it can cause significant problems with dehydration. Should that be a concern, contacting a primary care provider is reasonable. Vomiting blood or having bloody or black bowel movements are not normal, and emergency care should be sought. Some medications such as iron or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) can turn stool black in color. Fever, increasing severity of abdominal pain, and persistent symptoms should not be ignored and seeking medical care should be considered. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) a disease in which individuals who have not recently been hospitalized develop an infection of the lungs (pneumonia). Patient Education Counsel parents regarding the need to prevent exposure of infants to tobacco smoke, and, as part of anticipatory primary care, educate parents regarding later infectious exposures in daycare centers, schools, and similar settings as well as the importance of hand washing. In addition, discuss the benefit infants may receive from pneumococcal immunization and annual influenza immunization and the potential benefits and costs of RSV immune globulin (see Prevention). Emphasize careful longitudinal surveillance for long-term problems with growth, development, otitis, reactive airway disease, and other complications. Most children treated with outpatient antibiotics are much improved within 48 hours after the initiation of treatment. Educate parents about and caution them to look for the signs of increasing respiratory distress and to seek medical attention immediately should any of these signs appear.