Gastroenteritis is an infection of your gastrointestinal tract which includes the stomach and bowels. The infection leads to inflammation of these tissues. You can obtain the infection by eating or drinking foodstuff or liquids contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites or through contact with someone with the infection. The main symptoms are stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Symptoms usually begin one to two days after infection and can last from one day to over a week depending on which bacteria or virus you're exposed to. The main complication of gastroenteritis is dehydration. Babies, children and the aged are more susceptible to dehydration.
Causes:
The main causes of gastroenteritis include:
• Viruses (sometimes seasonal) – such as rotavirus, adenovirus, calicivirus
• Bacteria (the most common cause of gastroenteritis) – such as Salmonella and Campylobacter
• Parasites – example Giardia lamblia
• Bacterial toxins – by-products of bacteria which contaminate food stuff
• Chemicals and drugs – for example lead poisoning and antibiotics
Gastroenteritis is spread via contaminated food or drink or from coming into contact with an infected person who sneezes or coughs near you or doesn't wash their hands properly before handling food or touching you. Eating shellfish from contaminated waters is also a cause at times.
A healthcare initiative by AsiaMed Connect in partnership with Apollo Hospitals Group- For free online medical consultation, send your queries to consultationamc@gmail.com
Symptoms
They symptoms of gastroenteritis include:
• General feeling of being unwell
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramping,
• Abdominal bloating and pain
• Fever
• Blood or pus in the stools
Who it affects?
Anyone can get gastroenteritis but risk factors include eating or drinking contaminated food from roadside eateries or contaminated water or fruit juices from unclean outlets. Babies and children are also more likely to get it.
Diagnosis:
To diagnose gastroenteritis, a doctor will discuss symptoms, medical history and will examine you. You may need to recall food stuff you have eaten in the recent past that may have been contaminated. Blood and stool tests may also be taken.
How to prevent it?
• Wash your hands before eating and drinking and after going to the toilet, changing baby’s diapers, blowing your nose or handling animals.
• Practise good hygiene in the kitchen, toilet and bathroom.
• While travelling, only drink bottled water.
• Be cautious about where you eat and drink. Roadside eateries are often contaminated with microorganisms and its toxins.
A healthcare initiative by AsiaMed Connect in partnership with Apollo Hospitals Group- For free online medical consultation, send your queries toconsultationamc@gmail.com
How to treat it?
Treatments depend on the cause of the infection. They include:
• Drinking lost of fluid and drinking rehydration solutions
• Probiotics to help with diarrhoea
• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Medicines to kill parasites if they're the cause
• Anti-vomiting and anti-diarrhoea drugs aren't usually prescribed as they can keep infection inside the body but they may be necessary when travelling
A healthcare initiative by AsiaMed Connect in partnership with Apollo Hospitals Group- For free online medical consultation, send your queries to consultationamc@gmail.com
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