What is Gastroenteritis
What is gastroenteritis? It is an infection that can be viral, toxic or bacterial in origin, and that affects the digestive tract (inflammation of the stomach and intestinal wall). It can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Gastroenteritis is also called: gastro, intestinal flu or food poisoning (bacterial or toxic gastroenteritis).
What Are The Causes Of Gastroenteritis?
Viral gastroenteritis is usually caused by norovirus, also known as the Norwalk virus (this virus circulates mainly in the fall and winter). Three other viruses, namely rotavirus, adenovirus and astrovirus, can also cause gastroenteritis.
These four specific viruses irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing the body to reject fluids.
Bacterial gastroenteritis, on the other hand, usually develops after eating contaminated food. Care should be taken when choosing foods. Opt for very fresh and well-cooked animal foods, and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
In some countries, running water sometimes carries bacteria and can cause what is called “turista”. Foreign visitors are often advised to drink bottled water.
Who Is At Risk?
In industrialized countries, viral gastroenteritis is the most prevalent, especially during the cold season. It mainly affects children, the elderly and those whose immune systems are compromised by illness or medication.
Young children in daycare and elderly people living in residences are at higher risk, as are healthy adults who work in hospitals.
People who travel to Latin America, Africa or Asia are at greater risk of developing bacterial gastroenteritis.
Pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes are among those at risk of developing complications from gastroenteritis.
In its various forms, gastroenteritis affects several million people per year. Many of them will not have any symptoms.
What Are The Risk Factors?
Not respecting the recommended hygiene measures is the greatest risk factor.
Also, contact with people who are affected or who belong to the most affected groups considerably increases the risk of contracting this disease.
Contagion
Viral gastroenteritis is extremely contagious. People who are affected are contagious from the onset of the first symptoms. Contrary to popular belief, people remain contagious for up to 48 hours after the symptoms of gastroenteritis have disappeared.
Contact with contaminated people or objects promotes contagion. When gastroenteritis enters a house, usually all the inhabitants catch it.
What Are the Symptoms of Gastroenteritis?
The incubation period before the first symptoms appear lasts between 30 minutes and 72 hours, depending on the origin of the gastroenteritis. It should be noted that the symptoms often appear very suddenly, but that the majority of infected people are asymptomatic.
1- Vomiting
2- Diarrhea, often very liquid
3- Abdominal pain (cramps)
4- Hot or cold sweats
5- Loss of appetite
6- Weakness and fatigue
7- Muscle pain
8- Nausea
9- Mild fever (quite rare)
10- Symptoms indicating a possible worsening
11- Severe dehydration
12- Excessive thirst
13- High fever and/or chills
14- Blood in the stool or vomit
15- Persistent dizziness and extreme fatigue.
How To Establish A Diagnosis?
It is usually possible to diagnose gastroenteritis without the help of a doctor, based on the onset of symptoms.
If the situation worsens and a medical consultation is necessary, the stool may be analyzed to determine whether the infection is viral, bacterial or toxic in origin and, subsequently, appropriate treatment may be prescribed.
Note that if you suspect gastroenteritis in a very young child or a baby, it is best to consult immediately, because dehydration can occur very quickly.
Also read: Homemade rehydration solution recipe
What Are The Risks Of Complications?
In some cases, dehydration can be severe and dangerous. Some people will need to be hospitalized and put on a drip.
Dehydration, if not treated effectively, can be fatal. However, it is extremely rare for gastroenteritis to be fatal in industrialized countries.
When Should You Go To The Emergency Room?
There are cases where you should go directly to the emergency room, according to the recommendations of health departments of each country.
1- You have a lot of blood in your stools or your stools are black.
2- You have diarrhea with severe abdominal pain.
3- You have diarrhea, a strong thirst, you have not urinated for more than 12 hours.
4- You have frequent vomiting that does not decrease after 4 to 6 hours.
5- There are stools or blood (red or coffee grounds in appearance) in your vomit.
6- Your general condition deteriorates (weakness, drowsiness, irritability, confusion).
How To Treat Gastroenteritis?
There are no medications to treat viral gastroenteritis, and antibiotics are rarely prescribed to treat bacterial gastroenteritis.
Symptoms normally disappear on their own after a few days at most.
Avoid eating for at least the first day of the illness. When reintroducing foods, opt for white rice, broth, oatmeal, or other easily digestible foods.
It is essential to do everything possible to avoid dehydration. Try drinking orange juice with a pinch of salt, or salted and sweetened water.
If it is impossible to keep liquids down, it is recommended to suck on ice cubes.
Prevention
To prevent viral infection, particular importance is given to hygiene.
First, wash your hands frequently with hot water and soap, rubbing for 30 seconds.
Then, wash your hands carefully every time you go to the bathroom, change a diaper, prepare to eat or cook, as well as when you touch a contaminated object or a person at risk.
Finally, wash all clothing and objects that have been in contact with an infected person, with their stools or vomit.
To prevent the spread of the virus, avoid going to work or school when you have gastroenteritis.
Put super absorbent diapers on young children to prevent leaks.
Since 2006, there has been a vaccine that is recommended for babies. A first dose is necessary before 20 weeks, and a second before 8 months, to prevent certain types of viral gastroenteritis.
Did you know that…
Many healthy adults contract gastroenteritis, but often, they have no or almost no symptoms. Even if they do not know they are infected, they are still contagious!
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