What are the Risks of Gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is usually caused by microbial infections and can also be caused by chemical poisons or drugs. Typical clinical manifestations are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. For healthy adults, gastroenteritis usually only causes discomfort and inconvenience in life, and does not cause serious consequences, but it can lead to life-threatening dehydration and electrolytes in patients who are seriously ill, weak, young or old. disorder.

Basic Information

English name

gastroenteritis

Visiting department

Gastroenterology

Multiple groups

Young, old and infirm

Common locations

stomach

Common causes

Bacteria or viruses contaminate food, water, tableware, etc.

Common symptoms

Diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, etc.

Contagious

no

Causes of gastroenteritis

Infectious gastroenteritis can be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Poisons and drugs can cause chemical gastroenteritis. Viral infection is the most common cause of gastroenteritis. There are many viruses that can cause gastroenteritis, the most common being rotavirus, followed by Norwalk virus, astrovirus and enterovirus.

Common infections are: food (especially seafood), contaminated water, contact with infected people, dirty tableware, and not washing hands before eating.

Clinical manifestations of gastroenteritis

The type and severity of gastrointestinal inflammation symptoms depend on the type and amount of the microorganism or poison. The most common symptoms are diarrhea. Other symptoms include: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss (possibly a sign of dehydration), excessive sweating, cold and cold skin, muscle pain or joint stiffness, and incontinence.

Severe vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, which manifests as weakness, extreme thirst, oliguria or deeper urine color, dry skin, dry mouth, and sunken eyes. Babies can also show less tears when crying. Severe vomiting or diarrhea can cause hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypotension. Patients who drink large amounts of water with little or no salt to replenish fluids are particularly prone to hyponatremia. Water and electrolyte disorders have potential risks, especially in severely ill, debilitated, young or old patients, and severe cases can show shock and renal failure.

Gastroenteritis examination

Gastroenteritis is usually diagnosed based on symptoms, but the cause is often not obvious. If symptoms are severe or persistent, stool culture can be performed to detect bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Patients suspected of severe dehydration should monitor electrolytes and renal function.

Gastroenteritis diagnosis

1. The history of source contact is an important diagnostic feature: potentially contaminated food, unclean, untreated, or contaminated drinking water, exposure to patients with the same symptoms, and travel to epidemic areas are the first suspected features of diagnosis.

2. Further diagnosis should be judged by counting leukocytes and eosinophils through blood, vomit, and fecal culture.

3. Other illnesses should be carefully excluded.

Gastroenteritis Treatment

Treatment of gastroenteritis should fast and correct water and electrolyte disorders. Usually the patient only needs to rest in bed and drink enough water (such as oral rehydration salt solution). Even patients who have vomited should drink as much water as possible. Babies should continue breastfeeding. If vomiting or diarrhea is prolonged or severely dehydrated, intravenous fluid replacement may be necessary. Antiemetics can be added when vomiting is severe. If diarrhea lasts more than 24 to 48 hours and there is no sign of a more serious bacterial infection, an antidiarrheal drug can be added. Antiemetics and antidiarrheals are generally not recommended for children.

Because antibiotics may cause diarrhea or promote the growth of resistant bacteria, antibiotics are generally not recommended even if the pathogenic bacteria for gastroenteritis have been identified. However, antibiotics can be used for certain pathogens (such as Campylobacter, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae, etc.) or patients who have traveler's diarrhea.

Antibiotics have no effect on gastroenteritis caused by viral infections. Antiparasitic drugs are required for gastroenteritis caused by parasitic infections.

Gastroenteritis prevention

1. Do not eat unclean fruits

Watermelons and fruits must be watered, fertilized, and sprayed with pesticides during the growth period. During the process of collection, handling, and sale, they are susceptible to bacterial infections. As a result, the skins of many fruits and vegetables carry bacteria, eggs, and chemical pesticides. You must rinse with water several times before eating. All fruits and fruits that can be peeled should be peeled and eaten, otherwise pesticide accumulation poisoning may occur.

2. Avoid eating irritating diets

For cold food and spicy food, you need to choose according to personal conditions, original eating habits and seasons. Avoid overeating, especially not alcohol.

3. Pay attention to diet hygiene

Wash your hands frequently, pay attention to the hygiene of tableware, and separate raw and cooked food.