gastroenteritis

1. Gastroenteritis

2. Introduction to Gastroenteritis • Gastroenteritis is an inflammation or infection of the digestive tract, mainly the stomach and intestine. • It is probably the most commonly occurring illness with an average person having about three and four bouts in a year. • The illness can sometimes be minor and the person may experience only nausea and it may go completely unrecognized but on the other hand, it can also be very severe leading to death within a few days.

3. Symptoms of Gastroenteritis Most of the stomach infection are spread through contamination food and water cause pain and diarrhea. Symptoms of Gastroenteritis • Nausea & Vomiting • Diarrhea • Loss of appetite • Fever • Headache

4. Continue:- Symptoms of Gastroenteritis Continue… • Abdominal Pain • Abdominal Cramps • Bloody Stools • Dehydration • Lethargy If symptoms do not resolve within a week, an infection or disorder more serious than gastroenteritis may be involved. These symptoms require prompt medical treatment

5. Causes of Gastroenteritis Bacterial gastroenteritis happens when bacteria causes an infection in your stomach. This causes inflammation in your stomachand intestines. • Infectious agents (viruses, bacteria and parasites) are the most common cause of Gastroenteritis. • Viruses primarily rotavirus species, are responsible for 70 to 80 percent of infectious diarrhea. • Bacterial pathogens accounts for another 10 to 20 percent of cases.

6. Continue:- Causes of Gastroenteritis • Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children. Rotavirus is less common cause in adult due to acquired immunity. • Norovirus is the leading cause of gastroenteritisamong adult. Norovirus is the cause of about 10 percent of cases in children. • Cryptosporidium is the organism most commonly isolated in HIV-positive patients presenting with diarrhea and cause gastrointestinal illnesswith diarrhea in humans.

8. Diagnosis of Gastroenteritis • Diagnosing gastroenteritis is mainly an exclusion procedure • In rare case when the symptoms are not enough to diagnose gastroenteritis, several test may be performed in order to rule out other gastrointestinal disorders. • Rectal Examination • Complete blood count • Electrolytes • Kidney function test • When the symptoms are conclusive, no test apart form the stool test are required.

9. Treatment of Gastroenteritis If you have a milder case, you may be able to treat your illness at home. Try the following :- • Drink liquid regularly through out the day, especially after the bouts of diarrhea. • Eat little and often, and include some salty foods. • Take food or drinks with potassium, such as fruit juice and bananas • Don’t take any medication with asking the doctor.

10. Prevention of Gastroenteritis • Proper Hand washing • Proper food handling and complete cooking • Pasteurization of milk and juice • Clean the toilet and bathroom regularly, especially the toilet seat, door handles and taps. • Don’t forget to brush your teeth regularly, twice a day • Avoid food buffets, uncooked foods or peeled fruits and vegetables and ice in drinks.