Gastroenteritis Symptoms
Gastroenteritis is a general term for an infection or irritation of the digestive tract, mainly the stomach and intestine. Often referred to as the gastro-intestinal flu, it is not associated with influenza and it generally lasts about 72 hours. The main symptoms are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps and sometimes fever.
Symptoms
The symptoms of gastroenteritis (stomach flu) include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pains, fever, bloody stools and general weakness. The vomiting is often so severe that bile can be vomited up after all the contents of the stomach is released. Those effected with gastroenteritis often feel the ‘worst they have ever felt’ and it can be quite a traumatic and difficult experience.
Symptoms ordinarily are caused by toxins produced by bacteria in the food or by a swelling of the intestine through having a virus or bacteria being present. Ordinarily, food poisoning results in a much quicker onset of symptoms, which can strike the sufferer within the hour of eating infected foods.
Treatment of gastroenteritis is focused on alleviating symptoms and discomfort since the usual viruses that cause it will normally run their course. Over-the-counter medications such as Pepto Bismol can be used to lessen nausea. If non-prescription medicines are ineffective, a doctor may prescribe more potent an anti-diarrhea drugs.
There are several causes of gastroenteritis and some of them are due to bacteria and other because of viruses. Gastroenteritis is actually very similar to food poisoning and diarrhea.
Bacteria and virus that cause food poisoning and diarrhea are also responsible for causing gastroenteritis in several people. Viruses like the norovirus and the rotavirus spread to humans from water, dairy products, raw vegetables and uncooked food.
There is no cure. Treatment is to avoid eating the foods that cause a reaction, which is the standard protocol for food allergies as well. However, some have only a handful of foods that are tolerable (don’t cause reactions) and some EG patients simply can’t eat anything at all.
Gastroenteritis is an upset of the stomach. Gastroenteritis causes nausea and vomiting. You may also have diarrhea or a fever. It is sometimes called”stomach flu” but it is not the flu. Germs like viruses and bacteria can cause it.
Bacterial causes are less common in developed countries. Campylobacter jejuni is responsible for 5-10% of all cases, whereas Salmonella species, Shigella species, and various pathogenic types of Escherichia coli is accounted for a tiny percentage.
In general, vomiting and diarrhea are indicative of gastroenteritis. There are no specific laboratory tests needed in order to make a diagnosis for gastroenteritis. Usually, the doctor will get a detailed history from the patient and that includes medical treatments, diet and manner of food preparation, and recent travel destinations.
Many different viruses can cause stomach flu. A virus is a “bad guy”. “Bad guys” cannot be killed by antibodies. As a matter of fact, they are not alive. Unlike bacteria, which are living, very small (microscopic) bugs, viruses cannot be cured with antibiotics.
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Stomach cold, also call stomach flu or gastroenteritis, is a commonly encountered disease in our life. Almost anyone once may suffer this trouble. It is caused by the virus of the food. In fact, even though the virus can not be killed, using some general family methods can protect our stomach from suffering as much as possible.
Gastroenteritis unlike the flu is spread by contaminated food or water, or by coming into contact with an infected individual. The flu is a respiratory infection. Bird flu, also called Avian influenza, H5N1, or Avian flu infects birds including chickens and other poultry and also wild birds such as ducks.
Gastroenteritis is notoriously contagious. Be scrupulous about hygiene to prevent it from being spread within the family and the wider community. Children commonly catch the infection from school, when interacting with other children with gastroenteritis.
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How can I speed up recovery for gastroenteritis?
Two days ago, as I came home from school, I felt unwell and started having diarrhoea at night. This carried on until yesterday and is still a problem today.
I’ve been taking medication for cramps, diarrhoea and paracetamol for my fever.
Now, I’m skinny and believe my immune system is weak. How can I boost it up to its full potential to treat it? I have an assessment task tomorrow and a practical exam for Biology so I need to recover by then.
Thanks.
The most important of treating viral gastroenteritis in children and adults is to prevent severe loss of fluids (dehydration). This treatment should begin at home. Your physician may give you specific instructions about what kinds of fluid to give. CDC recommends that families with infants and young children keep a supply of oral rehydration solution (ORS) at home at all times and use the solution when diarrhea first occurs in the child. ORS is available at pharmacies without a prescription. Follow the written directions on the ORS package, and use clean or boiled water. Medications, including antibiotics (which have no effect on viruses) and other treatments, should be avoided unless specifically recommended by a physician.
