What is Acute gastroenteritis ?
Acute gastroenteritis (commonly called food poisoning or stomach flu) is a condition where the stomach and intestines become irritated or inflamed, often due to infection. This condition is usually sudden (hence acute) and causes symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
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Causes of Acute Gastroenteritis
- Viruses:
- The norovirus is one of the most common viruses that causes gastroenteritis. It’s highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person through contaminated food, water, or surfaces.
- Another virus, the rotavirus, mainly affects young children but can also cause illness in adults.
- Bacteria:
- Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter are some of the bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis. These often come from contaminated food, like undercooked meat, raw vegetables, or unpasteurized dairy products.
- Parasites:
- Giardia and Entamoeba histolytica are examples of parasites that can cause gastroenteritis. These are usually spread through contaminated water or food.
- Contaminated Water:
- Drinking water that is contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites can also lead to acute gastroenteritis.
How is Acute Gastroenteritis Spread?
- Eating contaminated food: This could be food that hasn’t been cooked properly or has been handled by someone who has the infection.
- Drinking contaminated water: This is common in areas where water sanitation is poor.
- Touching contaminated surfaces: Viruses or bacteria can spread from person to person through touching surfaces or objects (like door handles, phones, or countertops) that have been contaminated.
- Close contact: Being around someone who is sick or caring for them can also lead to infection.
Symptoms of Acute Gastroenteritis
Symptoms can appear anywhere from hours to a few days after exposure to the cause of the infection
Diarrhea:
Frequent, loose stools are one of the hallmark signs. This can also include bloody diarrhea, especially if caused by bacteria.
Vomiting:
Many people experience nausea and vomiting, which can cause dehydration if not managed well.
Stomach cramps:
Painful stomach cramps or bloating are common due to inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
Fever:
Some people develop a low-grade fever, especially if the cause is bacterial or viral.
Dehydration:
Because of the loss of fluids from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration is a serious risk. Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, excessive thirst, dizziness, and dark-colored urine.
Fatigue:
You may feel extremely tired and weak due to the loss of fluids and nutrients.
- Hydration:
- The most important treatment is to replace lost fluids. Drink plenty of water, and oral rehydration solutions (ORS), which contain a mix of water, salt, and sugar, are often recommended to prevent dehydration. Sports drinks can also help replenish electrolytes lost in vomiting or diarrhea.
- Rest: It’s important to rest while your body is fighting off the infection.
- Diet: Eat light foods, such as plain rice, bananas, or toast (known as the BRAT diet), while avoiding fatty, spicy, or hard-to-digest foods. Avoid dairy products as well, as they may make symptoms worse temporarily.
- Over-the-counter medications:
- Anti-nausea medications: If you’re feeling very sick, medications like ondansetron (prescribed by a doctor) can help reduce nausea.
- Anti-diarrheal medications: Medications like loperamide (Imodium) can slow down diarrhea, but they should be used with caution, as they can sometimes worsen bacterial infections.
- Antibiotics: If the infection is caused by a bacterial infection, such as Salmonella or E. coli, the doctor might prescribe antibiotics. However, most cases of gastroenteritis are viral, in which case antibiotics are not effective.
- Hospitalization: In severe cases, especially if dehydration becomes serious, you may need to be treated in the hospital with intravenous fluids.
When to See a Doctor
- If vomiting and diarrhea last longer than 2 days or are very severe.
- If you have signs of dehydration (such as dizziness, dry mouth, dark urine, or extreme thirst).
- If you experience severe stomach pain, bloody stools, or high fever (over 101°F or 38°C).
- If the patient is a young child, elderly person, or has weakened immunity, as they are more at risk for complications.
Prevention of Acute Gastroenteritis
- Wash hands: Proper hand hygiene is key. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom or handling food.
- Avoid contaminated food and water: Be cautious when eating food from street vendors or drinking water from untreated sources, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
- Cook food properly: Make sure that meat, especially chicken, is cooked thoroughly to kill any harmful bacteria or parasites.
- Avoid close contact with sick people: If someone is vomiting or having diarrhea, try to avoid close contact with them until they recover.
