Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis Have you ever heard that someone has "Stomach flu"? What they probably had was gastroenteritis and not flu. Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the intestinal lining. It is caused by parasites, bacteria or a virus. In the USA, viral gastroenteritis is the second most common type of illness. Its cause is most often non-viral. It is spread through an infected person and contaminated water and food. The best way to prevent getting infected is by frequently washing your hands.

Dehydration is the most common problem that comes with gastroenteritis. Dehydration happens when you have Diarrhea accompanied by vomiting and do not take in enough fluids to replace what you lost. The elderly, babies, people with weak immune systems and young children are the ones who are most affected by dehydration.

What Are the Symptoms of Gastroenteritis?


General Symptoms

• Low grade fever up to 37.7°C (100 °F)


• Nausea without or with vomiting


• Moderate to mild diarrhea


• Abdominal bloating accompanied by painful cramps (The cramps could be in cycles and increase in severity until you have passed lose bowel movement. Afterwards, the pain slightly resolves.)


• Blood In Stool or vomit (this is never normal, and the individual affected should seek medical care.)


• Vomiting for over 48 hours


• Fever that is higher than 40 °C (101 °F)


• Abdominal pain or swollen abdomen


• Dehydration – lack of tears and sweat, dry mouth, dry skin, decreased urination, lightheadedness and weakness are characteristic symptoms and signs.

Severe Symptoms

• Blood in stool or vomit (this is never normal, and the individual affected should seek medical care.)


• Vomiting for over 48 hours


• Fever that is higher than 40 °C (101 °F)


• Abdominal pain or swollen abdomen


• Dehydration – lack of tears and sweat, dry mouth, dry skin, decreased urination, lightheadedness and weakness are characteristic symptoms and signs.

When to See a Doctor
For Adults

• You are unable to keep liquids down the whole day (24 hours)


• You have been vomiting for the past two days


• You vomit blood


• You are dehydrated


• Your bowel movements have blood


• Your fever is over 40 °C (104 °F).

For Children

If your child:

• Has a fever of 38.9 °C (102 °F) or higher


• Seem very irritable or lethargic


• Is in a lot of pain or discomfort


• Passes bloody diarrhea


• Looks dehydrated

For Infants

If the infant:

• Is vomiting for several hours


• Has not wet the diaper in 6 hours


• Has severe diarrhea or bloody stool


• Cries without tears or has dry mouth


• Is unusually unresponsive, drowsy or sleepy


• Has a sunken fontanel, which is the delicate spot at the top of a baby’s head

What Are the Causes of Gastroenteritis?
The below list is not all-inclusive. It, however, does include most causes of gastroenteritis that may be encountered globally.

Causes	Name	Description
Bacteria	Clostridium difficile	Due to the antibiotic suppression of other competing intestinal bacteria, this bacteria will overgrow and produce more toxin. This bacteria causes the largest number of deaths owing to gastroenteritis mostly in people over 65 years of age.
Listeria	Its usual source includes dairy products that have been contaminated. It can cause Listeriosis.
Shigella	Causes Shigellosis with the symptom of food Poisoning.
Salmonella	Causes Salmonellosis with the symptom of food poisoning.
Escherichia coli	Causes diseases such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP), hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) or E. coli infections with the symptom of food poisoning.
Staphylococcus	Frequently causes staphylococcus food poisoning with symptoms like abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
Vibrio	Existed in contaminated sea food and water. It can cause Cholera.
Plesiomonas	Existed in oysters and other seafood.
Aeromonas	Existed in contaminated seafood.
Bacillus	Existed in contaminated rice.
Yersinia	Existed in contaminated pork meat.
Campylobacter	Existed in dairy foods that have been contaminated.
Virus	Norovirus	Causes about 50-70 percent of gastroenteritis cases in adults. It is the 2nd most common cause of gastroenteritis in America and is the most common cause of death caused by gastroenteritis.
Rotavirus	Commonly causes diarrhea in infants. It occasionally causes dehydration.
Adenovirus	It is a common cause of respiratory infections. However, there are some strains that cause symptoms associated to gastroenteritis.
Astrovirus	Commonly causes diarrhea in infants.
Sapovirus	Commonly causes mild gastroenteritis in children.
Parasite	Giardia	CausesGiardiasis with the symptom of diarrhea by contaminated water.
Cryptosporidium	Causescryptosporidiosis by contaminated water and food.
Entamoeba	Causes Amebiasis by contaminated water.
Others	Food allergies	Shellfish, milk, nuts and eggs are especially common.
Toxins	Heavy metal toxins (mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium and aluminum), Algal toxin found in shellfish and others.
Antibiotics	Many kinds of antibiotics promote overgrowth of fungus/bacteria.
Medicine	Many medicine cause diarrhea as a side effect.

What Are the Treatments for Gastroenteritis?
Symptoms often end within a couple of days as your immune system normally clears any infection. Occasionally, if the symptoms are severe, you may need to be admitted to hospital.

Viral gastroenteritis does not have specific medical treatment. Antibiotics are not effective against the viruses, and when you over use them, your body may develop a strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Treatment is made up of self-care approaches.

1. Eat Light Meals
You can gradually start by eating bland, easily digested foods like chicken, rice, bananas, gelatin, toast and soda crackers. If nausea returns, stop eating. Avoid certain substances and foods until you start feeling better. They include highly seasoned or fatty foods, Nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and dairy products.

2. Have Lots of Drinks

• Amount of drinks: Drink about 200ml after each diarrhea bout on top of the usual amount you drink.


• Suitable drinks: For many adults water and some soups should do. Avoid drinks that contain too much sugar like pop or cola. For people over 60 years old, rehydration drinks will do.

3. Use Medicine
Antidiarrheal medication can also be given but not to children under 12 years old. This helps reduce the number of trips you make to the washroom/toilet.

4. Get Plenty of Rest
Dehydration and the illness may have made you tired and weak.

5. Tips for Infants and Children

• Give oral rehydration: There are oral rehydration solutions available without the need for prescription at pharmacies. Consult your doctor about it first and for instructions on using it. Do not give your child or infant plain water because it is not absorbed well, and it will not replace the lost electrolytes.


• Avoid specific foods: Avoid sugary foods like candy, sodas and ice-cream and dairy products. They can worsen the diarrhea.


• Get back to a normal diet gradually: Gradually introduce some easily digested, bland foods like potatoes, rice, toast and bananas.


• Get plenty of Rest: Your child or infant may be tired and weak from the dehydration and illness.


• Don’t use OTC anti-diarrheal medicine: Such as loperamide, bismuth subsalicylate etc.

Watch this video for more information in treating gastroenteritis:

What Are the Preventions for Gastroenteritis?

• Wash hands: Thoroughly wash hands using water and soap after changing nappies or using the toilet, after using a tissue or handkerchief, after smoking or after handling an animal. Also, wash your hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food.


• Choose disposable paper towels to dry hands instead of cloth towels. There are some bacteria that can survive on objects for some time.


• Use different implements for raw and cooked food. If you have to, make sure you wash them between uses.


• Keep food properly handled: Cold food should be kept below 5 °C. Hot food should be kept above 60 °C to discourage growth of bacteria. Make sure all foods are thoroughly cooked.


• Clean all household surfaces: Keep all equipment and kitchen surfaces clean. Regularly clean the bathroom and toilet especially the toilet seat, taps and handles. Regularly clean the baby change tables.


• Be careful when travelling: especially when traveling in countries where sanitation is questionable. Only drink and brush teeth by using bottled water. Avoid uncooked foods, peeled vegetables and fruits, buffets and iced drinks.

Gastroenteritis in Babies

Gastroenteritis in Babies

Gastroenteritis in babies is sometimes referred to as "Stomach Flu" or "the flu". Flu refers to Influenza, a respiratory illness. Stomach flu is a viral infection in the digestive tract. Gastroenteritis is derived from "gastro" which refers to the gastric system and "itis" which means irritation or inflammation. Most babies suffer from gastroenteritis at least twice every year. The infection is more frequent for kids in day care. The frequency reduces after babies turn 3 years old because their immunity is stronger at this age.

What Causes Gastroenteritis in Babies?
Gastroenteritis is an infection that inflames the digestive tract lining. Symptoms of gastroenteritis in babies may include abdominal pain, achiness, vomiting, fever, Diarrhea and chills. These symptoms may be mild or severe and could last for hours or days.

The most common cause of gastroenteritis is infection from viruses like rotavirus. Viral gastroenteritis is transferred from hand to mouth, and from children who have this infection. Hence, children in crowded settings including schools and childcare centers are at high risk of the infection.

Bacteria, like Shigella, E.coli and Salmonella, and parasites, like Giardia, can also cause gastroenteritis. Bacterial gastroenteritis may result from touching animals with bacteria such as reptiles and amphibians. Children can also contract it from consuming raw eggs and meats, contaminated foods, shellfish, contaminated water and unpasteurized juices or milk. Besides, gastroenteritis may result from allergic conditions and from cats and dogs with diarrhea.

How to Remedy Gastroenteritis in Babies
Gastroenteritis in babies can be treated through diet and medications. Some of the remedies of gastroenteritis are outlined below.

1. Get the Right Kind of Fluids
Gastroenteritis may lead to Dehydration because the body loses more fluids than it absorbs. Hence, you must keep your baby hydrated.

• Taking water is good but it is not always enough because water does not replace the electrolytes, such as minerals and salt, lost through dehydration. In this case, oral rehydration or electrolyte solutions are recommended, which can be bought from any drug store. You should give the solution in small sips throughout the day to keep your baby hydrated. You doctor can recommend the amount of solution for your baby depending on his or her weight and age.


• Some sports drinks may replace the lost electrolytes but most of them contain lots of sugar. They are harmful to young children but can be given to teenagers and school-aged children.


• Do not give your child milk because milk worsens stomach infections. Consult your doctor about giving formula or breastfeeding your baby.


• Avoid drinks that contain caffeine or a lot of acid such as orange juice.


• Too much fluid may worsen vomiting. So give your baby the recommended fluids in little amounts and then increase the amount slowly.

2. Give Foods to Kids with Care
You can introduce bland foods once your baby can take fluids without vomiting. Bland foods include rice, potatoes, bananas, bread, plain yogurt, toast and crackers. If your baby feeds well on these foods, you can introduce cooked vegetables and lean meat.

3. Avoid OTC Medication
The best medicine for gastroenteritis in babies is time. Although it is hard to watch your baby suffer, do not give any over-the-counter medicines. These medicines worsen the infection instead of treating it. For instance, ibuprofen may worsen a stomach upset, while acetaminophen causes liver complications. Antibiotics treat bacterial disease but not viral diseases. Besides, they may prolong the infection and are dangerous for very young children. However you can give ibuprofen or acetaminophen if your child has a fever. Otherwise, just give bland foods and fluids.

When to Worry About Gastroenteritis in Babies
It is advisable to call your pediatrician whenever your child is unwell and under 6 months. Your child maybe be admitted to hospital and receive drip for some hours if your doctor is worried about his or her dehydration. Always call your doctor if your child:

• Vomits over 5 times in one day


• Passes stools more than once every hour


• Suffers from a fever of more than 101°F


• Passes stool with blood


• Is dehydrated


• Has a hard or swollen stomach

The commons signs of dehydration are:

• Sunken eyes and wrinkles on the skin


• Crying without shedding tears and with dry lips


• Discolored and cold feet and hands


• Dry diapers or less than 6 wet diapers in a day


• Fussiness and oversleeping


• Sinking soft spots

How to Prevent Gastroenteritis in Babies from Happening
Some of the ways of preventing gastroenteritis in babies include:

1. Get the Vaccination
The vaccine against gastroenteritis from rotavirus is available in the United States and some other countries. Children should get this vaccination in their first year. The vaccine prevents severe symptoms of gastroenteritis.

2. Keep Your Hands Clean
Wash your hands frequently and teach your children to wash their hands, especially after visiting the toilet. Use warm water and soap to wash your hands thoroughly for about 20 seconds and then rinse. Remember to clean your hands' creases, cuticles and corners beneath your fingers. Use a hand sanitizer and towelettes whenever warm water and soap are unavailable.

3. Use Disinfectants to Clean Hard Surfaces
When a family member has the viral infection, you should use disinfectant to clean hard surfaces like doorknobs, faucets and counters. You can make your own disinfectant by adding two cups of bleach to a gallon of water.

4. Inspect Your Child's Care Center
Ensure that your child's care center has different rooms for preparing food and changing diapers. The center should have a table for changing diapers and a bin for disposing diapers.

5. Other Measures to Prevent Infection

• Avoid contaminated water and foods or any raw foods.


• Do not share towels, glasses, plates and eating utensils at home.


• Keep your distance from anyone who has the viral infection where possible.