NAZNEEN F.

RAGASA
BSN IV-C

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a
virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in
the U.S. The cause is often a norovirus infection. It spreads through contaminated food
or water, and contact with an infected person. The best prevention is frequent hand
washing. The most common problem with gastroenteritis is dehydration.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of viral gastroenteritis usually begin 2448 hours after infection.
This time is called the incubation period.The incubation period for bacterial
gastroenteritis can range from 12 hours to 5 days, depending on the bacteria
responsible. Repeated episodes of diarrhoea are the most common symptom of
gastroenteritis. Loose, watery stools are usually passed three or more times within 24
hours. The stools may contain traces of blood and mucus.
Other symptoms of gastroenteritis include:
vomiting
nausea
stomach cramps
headaches
a high temperature (fever) of 3839C (100.4102.2F)

Dehydration is where your body loses more fluid than you can take in. It is a very
serious complication that can occur if fluid lost through vomiting and diarrhoea is not
replaced.
Elderly people are particularly at risk from the effects of dehydration which, if not
treated, can be fatal.
The symptoms of dehydration include:
tiredness
apathy (a lack of emotion or
enthusiasm)
dizziness
nausea
headaches
muscle cramps
dry mouth
pinched face
sunken eyes
passing little or no urine
rapid heartbea

CAUSES
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and large intestine (bowel). The
infection interferes with the absorption of water from the contents of your intestines
into the body, which is one of the main functions of the intestines.
This is why watery diarrhoea is the most common symptom of gastroenteritis and why
dehydration is a complication.
In England, the two most common causes of gastroenteritis in adults are a norovirus
infection and bacterial food poisoning.
1. Norovirus
Noroviruses are the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in adults.
Norovirus infections are sometimes referred to as "winter vomiting bugs"
because they tend to be more widespread during the winter months.
However, they can occur at any time of the year.
Norovirus outbreaks often occur in confined environments, such as
hospitals, nursing homes, schools and cruise ships. This is because the
illness spreads very easily from person to person, and the virus can
survive for several days in a contaminated area.
Noroviruses can be spread through coming into contact with an infected
person or contaminated surfaces or objects, or by eating or drinking
contaminated food or water.
There are many different types of norovirus and it is possible to get a
norovirus infection several times. This is because after getting the illness,
immunity to the virus only lasts for 14 weeks.
2. Food poisoning
Most cases of bacterial gastroenteritis are caused by food poisoning.
Some cases of viral gastroenteritis can also be caused by food poisoning.
Food can become contaminated with a virus if it is handled by a person
with a viral infection. Contamination can occur at any stage during the
food's production, processing or cooking.
3. Cross-contamination
Cross-contamination is a cause of food poisoning that is often
overlooked. It occurs when harmful bacteria are spread between food,
surfaces and equipment.
The most common types of bacteria that are associated with gastroenteritis are:
campylobacter a bacterium found in raw meat and poultry, unpasteurised milk
and untreated water
salmonella a bacterium found in raw meat, poultry, eggs and unpasteurised milk
escherichia coli (E. coli) a bacterium found in undercooked beef and
unpasteurised milk
Traveller's diarrhoea
Traveller's diarrhoea refers to gastroenteritis that develops after travelling abroad. It
can be caused by a range of different bacteria or parasites such as:
the shigella bacterium or the entamoeba parasite these are both spread through
poor hygiene and cause a type of traveller's diarrhoea called dysentery
cryptosporidium a parasite found in soil, food or water that has been
contaminated with animal or human faeces
giardia intestinalis a parasite found in water that has been contaminated with
animal or human faeces (infections that are caused by this parasite are known
as giardiasis)

TREATING GASTROENTERITIS
Most cases of gastroenteritis do not require treatment and the symptoms will
improve after a few days. Medication may be needed in severe cases.
Self care
it is very important to replace any fluids that the body loses through
vomiting and diarrhoea. Drink at least 2 litres (3.5 pints) of water a day,
plus 200ml (a third of a pint) of water every time you pass diarrhoea.
Oral rehydration salts are recommended for people who are vulnerable
to the effects of dehydration, such as elderly people or
those with another existing condition. They help replace salt, glucose and
other important minerals that your body loses during dehydration.
Maintain a normal, healthy diet. Avoid eating foods that are high in fat
and sugar because they could make symptoms worse. It may be better to
eat six light meals a day rather than three large meals.
MEDICATION
1. Antidiarrhoeal medications
Antidiarrhoeal medications are used to treat the symptoms of
diarrhoea. Loperamide is a widely used antidiarrhoeal medication for treating
gastroenteritis.
o Loperamide slows down the movement of your bowel contents and can
also increase water absorption from the gut.
Constipation and dizziness are two common side effects of
loperamide. Rarer side effects include:
Cramps
Drowsiness
Rashes
bloating
Loperamide is not suitable for people with colitis (inflammation of the
colon) or for pregnant women. However, it can be used safely
while breastfeeding.
You should not take loperamide, or any other antidiarrhoeal medication,
if you have a high temperature of 38C (100.4F) or above, or if you have
blood or mucus in your stools. In these instances, the medication could
make your symptoms worse.
Antidiarrhoeal medication should not be used by children under 12 years
of age, unless directly instructed by your GP.

2. Anti-emetic medications are used to help prevent or reduce vomiting.
o Common anti-emetics include stemetil (prochlorperazine)
and metoclopramide (which can be given by injection directly into
your muscles as well as orally).
o Metoclopramide helps relax the muscles used during vomiting,
while at the same time speeding up the absorption of fluids and
foods by the digestive system.

3. Antibiotics
o Antibiotics are not usually recommended for treating gastroenteritis
because most gastroenteritis cases are caused by viruses even if
gastroenteritis is caused by bacteria, research shows that antibiotics
are often no more effective than waiting for the symptoms to pass
and they can cause unpleasant side effects
o every time antibiotics are used to treat mild conditions, they become
less effective at treating more serious conditions
o However, antibiotics may be recommended if you have particularly
severe gastroenteritis and a specific bacteria has been identified as
the cause.
o Antibiotics may also be recommended if you have a risk factor that
makes you more vulnerable to infection, such as a weakened immune
system.
Side effects of using antibiotics to treat gastroenteritis include:
nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea
stomach pain
rashes
Hospital treatment may be required for people with serious dehydration caused by
gastroenteritis. Admission to hospital is usually recommended when:
repeated episodes of vomiting mean that you are unable to keep down any fluids
you have symptoms that suggest severe dehydration, such as not passing any urine
Treatment in hospital will involve administering fluids and nutrients intravenously
(directly into a vein).



PREVENTING GASTROENTERITIS
As gastroenteritis is very infectious, it is important to take steps to prevent it from
spreading to other people.
Controlling the infection
To prevent the spread of infection:
Wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before eating or
preparing food.
Clean the toilet, including the seat and handle, with disinfectant after each bout of
vomiting or diarrhoea.
Don't share towels, flannels, cutlery and utensils with other household members.
Don't return to work until 48 hours have passed since your last bout of vomiting or
diarrhoea.
Food hygiene
Practicing good food hygiene will help you avoid getting gastroenteritis from food
poisoning. You should:
Regularly wash your hands, surfaces and utensils with hot, soapy water.
Never store raw and cooked foods together.
Make sure that food is properly refrigerated.
Always cook your food thoroughly.
Never eat food that is past its 'use by' date.