What are the symptoms of viral gastroenteritis. How is stomach flu transmitted. When should you seek medical attention for gastroenteritis. What causes viral gastroenteritis. How can you prevent stomach flu.

Understanding Viral Gastroenteritis: The Stomach Flu

Viral gastroenteritis, commonly known as the stomach flu, is an intestinal infection that can cause significant discomfort and disruption to daily life. Despite its colloquial name, it is not related to influenza, which affects the respiratory system. Instead, gastroenteritis targets the intestines, leading to a range of unpleasant symptoms.

What is Viral Gastroenteritis?

Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral infection. It can affect people of all ages and is highly contagious. The condition is typically self-limiting, meaning it resolves on its own without specific treatment. However, it can be particularly dangerous for certain vulnerable populations.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Stomach Flu

The symptoms of viral gastroenteritis can vary in severity and duration. Typically, they appear within 1-3 days after infection and may last for a day or two, though in some cases, they can persist for up to two weeks.

Common Symptoms of Viral Gastroenteritis

• Watery, non-bloody diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal cramps and pain
• Occasional muscle aches or headache
• Low-grade fever

Is bloody diarrhea a symptom of viral gastroenteritis? Bloody diarrhea is not typically associated with viral gastroenteritis. If you experience this symptom, it may indicate a more severe infection, possibly bacterial, and you should seek medical attention promptly.

Transmission and Causes of Viral Gastroenteritis

Understanding how viral gastroenteritis spreads is crucial for prevention and controlling outbreaks. The infection is highly contagious and can spread rapidly, especially in closed environments like schools, cruise ships, and nursing homes.

How is Viral Gastroenteritis Transmitted?

Viral gastroenteritis is primarily transmitted through:

1. Consuming contaminated food or water
2. Close contact with an infected person
3. Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth
4. Sharing utensils, towels, or food with an infected individual

Can you get viral gastroenteritis from airborne transmission? Unlike respiratory viruses, the pathogens causing viral gastroenteritis are not typically spread through the air. However, the virus can become aerosolized in vomit particles, potentially leading to infection if inhaled.

Common Viruses Causing Gastroenteritis

Several viruses can cause gastroenteritis, with the most common being:

• Noroviruses
• Rotavirus
• Adenoviruses
• Astroviruses

Noroviruses are the leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide, affecting both children and adults. Rotavirus, on the other hand, is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in young children globally, though its incidence has decreased significantly in countries where rotavirus vaccination is widespread.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Gastroenteritis

While most cases of viral gastroenteritis resolve on their own, certain symptoms and situations warrant medical attention. It’s important to recognize these signs to prevent complications, especially in high-risk groups such as young children, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems.

Warning Signs for Adults

Adults should seek medical care if they experience:

• Inability to keep liquids down for 24 hours
• Vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than two days
• Vomiting blood
• Signs of severe dehydration (excessive thirst, dry mouth, little to no urine output, severe weakness or dizziness)
• Blood in bowel movements
• Severe abdominal pain
• Fever above 104째F (40째C)

Warning Signs for Infants and Children

For infants and children, immediate medical attention is necessary if:

• They have a fever of 102째F (38.9째C) or higher
• They appear unusually tired or irritable
• They are in significant discomfort or pain
• They have bloody diarrhea
• They show signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears when crying, decreased urination)

Are there specific concerns for infants with gastroenteritis? Yes, infants are particularly vulnerable to the effects of gastroenteritis, especially dehydration. Parents should be vigilant for signs such as a sunken soft spot (fontanel) on the baby’s head, dry mouth, lack of tears when crying, and decreased wet diapers.

Prevention Strategies for Viral Gastroenteritis

Given that there’s no specific treatment for viral gastroenteritis, prevention becomes crucial. By adopting certain habits and practices, you can significantly reduce your risk of contracting or spreading the infection.

Key Prevention Measures

1. Practice good hand hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, and before handling food.
2. Handle food safely: Cook foods to proper temperatures and avoid cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods.
3. Avoid contaminated food and water: Be cautious when traveling, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
4. Clean and disinfect surfaces: Regularly clean high-touch surfaces, particularly if someone in the household is ill.
5. Isolate infected individuals: People with gastroenteritis should avoid preparing food for others and limit close contact until symptoms resolve.

How effective is hand sanitizer against gastroenteritis-causing viruses? While hand sanitizers can be effective against some pathogens, they are not as effective as soap and water against noroviruses. Thorough handwashing remains the gold standard for prevention.

Treatment and Management of Viral Gastroenteritis

While there’s no specific cure for viral gastroenteritis, several strategies can help manage symptoms and prevent complications. The primary focus of treatment is preventing dehydration and providing symptomatic relief.

Managing Dehydration

Dehydration is the most serious complication of gastroenteritis. To prevent and treat dehydration:

• Drink plenty of clear fluids, such as water, clear broths, and oral rehydration solutions
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can worsen dehydration
• For severe cases, intravenous fluids may be necessary

Dietary Considerations

As you recover from gastroenteritis, it’s important to:

• Ease back into eating with bland, easy-to-digest foods (BRAT diet: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast)
• Avoid dairy products, fatty foods, and high-fiber foods initially
• Eat small, frequent meals rather than large ones

Is it necessary to fast during gastroenteritis? Fasting is generally not recommended, as your body needs nutrients to recover. However, if vomiting is severe, a brief period of clear liquids only may be advised before gradually reintroducing solid foods.

Special Considerations for High-Risk Groups

Certain populations are at higher risk for complications from viral gastroenteritis and require special attention and care.

Infants and Young Children

Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to dehydration from gastroenteritis. Parents and caregivers should:

• Continue breastfeeding or formula feeding in addition to oral rehydration solutions
• Monitor diaper changes closely to track fluid loss
• Seek medical attention promptly if dehydration is suspected

Older Adults

Older adults are also at increased risk of complications. They should:

• Increase fluid intake at the first sign of diarrhea
• Be monitored closely for signs of dehydration
• Consult healthcare providers about adjusting medications during illness

Immunocompromised Individuals

People with weakened immune systems may experience more severe and prolonged symptoms. They should:

• Seek medical attention early in the course of illness
• Be vigilant about prevention strategies
• Consider prophylactic measures as advised by their healthcare provider

How does gastroenteritis affect people with chronic illnesses? Individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease may be more susceptible to complications from gastroenteritis. They should monitor their condition closely and consult their healthcare provider for specific management strategies.

The Role of Vaccines in Preventing Viral Gastroenteritis

While vaccines are not available for all causes of viral gastroenteritis, significant progress has been made in preventing rotavirus infections, particularly in young children.

Rotavirus Vaccines

Two rotavirus vaccines are currently available:

• RotaTeq (RV5)
• Rotarix (RV1)

These vaccines have dramatically reduced the incidence of severe rotavirus infections in countries where they are routinely administered. They are typically given orally to infants in multiple doses, starting at around 2 months of age.

Impact of Rotavirus Vaccination

The introduction of rotavirus vaccines has led to:

• Significant reduction in hospitalizations due to severe diarrhea in children
• Decreased mortality from rotavirus infections in developing countries
• Indirect protection of unvaccinated individuals through herd immunity

Are rotavirus vaccines effective against other causes of viral gastroenteritis? Rotavirus vaccines are specific to rotavirus and do not protect against other viruses that cause gastroenteritis, such as noroviruses. Research is ongoing to develop vaccines for other gastroenteritis-causing viruses.

Understanding the Global Impact of Viral Gastroenteritis

Viral gastroenteritis is a significant public health concern worldwide, affecting millions of people annually and causing substantial economic burden.

Epidemiology and Burden of Disease

The global impact of viral gastroenteritis is characterized by:

• High morbidity rates, especially in young children and older adults
• Significant mortality in developing countries with limited access to healthcare and clean water
• Economic losses due to healthcare costs and lost productivity
• Strain on healthcare systems during outbreaks

Geographical Variations

The prevalence and impact of viral gastroenteritis vary globally:

• Developing countries face higher mortality rates, particularly from rotavirus infections in children
• Developed countries see more outbreaks in institutional settings and food service establishments
• Seasonal patterns differ, with winter peaks common in temperate climates

How does climate change affect the spread of viral gastroenteritis? Climate change may influence the spread of gastroenteritis by altering water availability and quality, affecting food production and safety, and changing human behavior and migration patterns. These factors could potentially lead to changes in the prevalence and distribution of gastroenteritis-causing pathogens.

Emerging Research and Future Directions

The field of gastroenteritis research is dynamic, with ongoing efforts to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies.

Diagnostic Advancements

Emerging diagnostic technologies include:

• Rapid molecular tests for identifying specific pathogens
• Point-of-care testing for quicker diagnosis in clinical settings
• Multiplex assays capable of detecting multiple pathogens simultaneously

Therapeutic Innovations

Research is focusing on:

• Development of antiviral medications specific to gastroenteritis-causing viruses
• Exploration of probiotics and prebiotics for prevention and treatment
• Investigation of immunomodulatory therapies to enhance the body’s natural defenses

Vaccine Development

Ongoing vaccine research includes:

• Efforts to develop a norovirus vaccine
• Improvements to existing rotavirus vaccines
• Exploration of combination vaccines targeting multiple gastroenteritis pathogens

What role might artificial intelligence play in managing viral gastroenteritis outbreaks? AI could potentially assist in predicting outbreaks, optimizing resource allocation during epidemics, and accelerating the development of new diagnostics and therapies. Machine learning algorithms could analyze patterns in disease spread and help identify high-risk populations or areas.

As research progresses, our understanding of viral gastroenteritis continues to evolve, paving the way for more effective prevention and management strategies. While the condition remains a significant health challenge, advancements in science and public health measures offer hope for reducing its impact on individuals and communities worldwide.

Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that includes signs and symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever.

The most common way to develop viral gastroenteritis — often called stomach flu — is through contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water. If you’re otherwise healthy, you’ll likely recover without complications. But for infants, older adults and people with compromised immune systems, viral gastroenteritis can be deadly.

There’s no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is key. Avoid food and water that may be contaminated and wash your hands thoroughly and often.

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Symptoms

Although it’s commonly called stomach flu, gastroenteritis isn’t the same as influenza. The flu (influenza) affects only your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, attacks your intestines, causing signs and symptoms such as:

• Watery, usually nonbloody diarrhea — bloody diarrhea usually means you have a different, more severe infection
• Nausea, vomiting or both
• Stomach cramps and pain
• Occasional muscle aches or headache
• Low-grade fever

Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after you’re infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may last up to 14 days.

Because the symptoms are similar, it’s easy to confuse viral diarrhea with diarrhea caused by bacteria, such as Clostridioides difficile, salmonella and Escherichia coli, or parasites, such as giardia.

Viral gastroenteritis

The stomach, small intestine and large intestine (colon) are part of your digestive tract, which processes the foods you eat. Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of these organs caused by a virus.

When to see a doctor

If you’re an adult, call your health care provider if:

• You’re not able to keep liquids down for 24 hours
• You’ve been vomiting or having diarrhea for more than two days
• You’re vomiting blood
• You’re dehydrated — signs of dehydration include excessive thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine or little or no urine, and severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness
• You notice blood in your bowel movements
• You have severe stomach pain
• You have a fever above 104 F (40 C)

For infants and children

See your child’s health care provider right away if your child:

• Has a fever of 102 F (38.9 C) or higher
• Seems tired or very irritable
• Is in a lot of discomfort or pain
• Has bloody diarrhea
• Seems dehydrated — watch for signs of dehydration in sick infants and children by comparing how much they drink and urinate with how much is normal for them, and watching for signs such as a dry mouth, thirst and crying without tears

If you have an infant, remember that while spitting up may be an everyday occurrence for your baby, vomiting is not. Babies vomit for a variety of reasons, many of which may require medical attention.

Call your baby’s doctor right away if your baby:

• Has vomiting that is frequent
• Hasn’t had a wet diaper in six hours
• Has bloody stools or severe diarrhea
• Has a sunken soft spot (fontanel) on the top of his or her head
• Has a dry mouth or cries without tears
• Is unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive

Causes

You’re most likely to get viral gastroenteritis when you eat or drink contaminated food or water. You may also be likely to get gastroenteritis if you share utensils, towels or food with someone who has one of the viruses that cause the condition.

Many viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including:

• Noroviruses. Both children and adults are affected by noroviruses, the most common cause of foodborne illness worldwide. Norovirus infection can sweep through families and communities. It’s especially likely to spread among people in confined spaces.

  In most cases, you pick up the virus from contaminated food or water. But it can also spread between people who are in close contact or who share food. You can also get the virus by touching a surface that’s been contaminated with norovirus and then touching your mouth.

• Rotavirus. Worldwide, this is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children, who are usually infected when they put their fingers or other objects contaminated with the virus into their mouths. It can also spread through contaminated food. The infection is most severe in infants and young children.

  Adults infected with rotavirus may not have symptoms, but can still spread the illness. This is of particular concern in institutional settings such as nursing homes because adults with the virus unknowingly can pass the virus to others. A vaccine against viral gastroenteritis is available in some countries, including the United States, and appears to be effective in preventing the infection.

Some shellfish, especially raw or undercooked oysters, also can make you sick. Contaminated drinking water is a cause of viral diarrhea. But in many cases the virus is passed when someone with a virus handles food you eat without washing his or her hands after using the toilet.

Risk factors

Gastroenteritis occurs all over the world and can affect people of all ages.

People who may be more susceptible to gastroenteritis include:

• Young children. Children in child care centers or elementary schools may be especially vulnerable because it takes time for a child’s immune system to mature.
• Older adults. Adult immune systems tend to become less efficient later in life. Older adults in nursing homes are vulnerable because their immune systems weaken. They also live in close contact with others who may pass along germs.
• Schoolchildren or dormitory residents. Anywhere that groups of people come together in close quarters can be an environment for an intestinal infection to get passed.
• Anyone with a weakened immune system. If your resistance to infection is low — for instance, if your immune system is compromised by HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy or another medical condition — you may be especially at risk.

Each gastrointestinal virus has a season when it’s most active. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, for instance, you’re more likely to have rotavirus or norovirus infections in the winter and spring.

Complications

The main complication of viral gastroenteritis is dehydration — a severe loss of water and essential salts and minerals. If you’re healthy and drink enough to replace fluids you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration shouldn’t be a problem.

Infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems may become severely dehydrated when they lose more fluids than they can replace. Hospitalization might be needed so that lost fluids can be replaced through an IV in their arms. Dehydration can rarely lead to death.

Prevention

The best way to prevent the spread of intestinal infections is to follow these precautions:

• Get your child vaccinated. A vaccine against gastroenteritis caused by the rotavirus is available in some countries, including the United States. Given to children in the first year of life, the vaccine appears to be effective in preventing severe symptoms of this illness.

• Wash your hands thoroughly. And make sure your children do, too. If your children are older, teach them to wash their hands, especially after using the toilet.

  Wash your hands after changing diapers and before preparing or eating food, too. It’s best to use warm water and soap and to rub hands well for at least 20 seconds. Wash around cuticles, beneath fingernails and in the creases of the hands. Then rinse thoroughly. Carry sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer for times when soap and water aren’t available.

• Use separate personal items around your home. Avoid sharing eating utensils, drinking glasses and plates. Use separate towels in the bathroom.
• Prepare food safely. Wash all your fruits and vegetables before eating them. Clean kitchen surfaces before preparing food on them. Avoid preparing food if you’re sick.
• Keep your distance. Avoid close contact with anyone who has the virus, if possible.
• Disinfect hard surfaces. If someone in your home has viral gastroenteritis, disinfect hard surfaces, such as counters, faucets and doorknobs, with a mixture of 5-25 tablespoons (73 to 369 milliliters) of household bleach to 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water.
• Avoid touching laundry that may have been exposed to a virus. If someone in your home has viral gastroenteritis, wear gloves while touching laundry. Wash clothing and bedding in hot water and dry them on the hottest setting. Wash your hands well after touching laundry.
• Check out your child care center. Make sure the center has separate rooms for changing diapers and preparing or serving food. The room with the diaper-changing table should have a sink as well as a sanitary way to dispose of diapers.

Take precautions when traveling

When you’re traveling in other countries, you can become sick from contaminated food or water. You may be able to reduce your risk by following these tips:

• Drink only well-sealed bottled or carbonated water.
• Avoid ice cubes because they may be made from contaminated water.
• Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
• Avoid raw food — including peeled fruits, raw vegetables and salads — that has been touched by human hands.
• Avoid undercooked meat and fish.

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Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) – Diagnosis & treatment

Diagnosis

Your doctor will likely diagnose viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) based on symptoms, a physical exam and sometimes on the presence of similar cases in your community. A rapid stool test can detect rotavirus or norovirus, but there are no quick tests for other viruses that cause gastroenteritis. In some cases, your doctor may have you submit a stool sample to rule out a possible bacterial or parasitic infection.

Treatment

There’s often no specific medical treatment for viral gastroenteritis. Antibiotics aren’t effective against viruses. Treatment first involves self-care measures, such as staying hydrated.

Clinical trials

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

Self care

To help keep yourself more comfortable and prevent dehydration while you recover, try the following:

• Let your stomach settle. Stop eating solid foods for a few hours.
• Try sucking on ice chips or taking small sips of water often. You might also try drinking clear soda, clear broths or noncaffeinated sports drinks. In some cases you can try oral rehydration solutions. Drink plenty of liquid every day, taking small, frequent sips.
• Ease back into eating. As you’re able, you can return to eating your normal diet. You might find that you can eat bland, easy-to-digest foods at first, such as soda crackers, soup, oats, noodles, bananas and rice. Stop eating if your nausea returns.
• Avoid certain foods and substances until you feel better. These include caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and fatty or highly seasoned foods.
• Get plenty of rest. The illness and dehydration may have made you weak and tired.
• Try anti-diarrhea medications. Some adults may find it helpful to take loperamide (Imodium A-D) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, others) to manage their symptoms. However, avoid these if you have bloody diarrhea or fever, which could be signs of another condition.

For infants and children

When your child has an intestinal infection, the most important goal is to replace lost fluids and salts. These suggestions may help:

• Help your child rehydrate. Give your child an oral rehydration solution, available at pharmacies without a prescription. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about how to use it.

  Don’t give your child plain water — in children with gastroenteritis, water isn’t absorbed well and won’t adequately replace lost electrolytes. Avoid giving your child apple juice for rehydration — it can make diarrhea worse.

• Get your child back to a normal diet once hydrated. Once your child is rehydrated, introduce him or her to his or her normal diet. This might include toast, yogurt, fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid certain foods. Don’t give your child sugary foods, such as ice cream, sodas and candy. These can make diarrhea worse.
• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. The illness and dehydration may have made your child weak and tired.
• Avoid giving your child store-bought anti-diarrheal medications, unless advised by your doctor. They can make it harder for your child’s body to get rid of the virus.

If you have a sick infant, let your baby’s stomach rest for 15-20 minutes after vomiting or a bout of diarrhea, then offer small amounts of liquid. If you’re breast-feeding, let your baby nurse. If your baby is bottle-fed, offer a small amount of an oral rehydration solution or regular formula. Don’t dilute your baby’s already-prepared formula.

Preparing for your appointment

If you or your child needs to see a doctor, you’ll likely see your doctor first. If there are questions about the diagnosis, your doctor may refer you to an infectious disease specialist.

What you can do

Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. Some questions you might want to ask your or your child’s doctor include:

• What’s the likely cause of the symptoms? Are there other possible causes?
• Is there a need for tests?
• What’s the best treatment approach? Are there any alternatives?
• Is there a need to take medicine?
• What can I do at home to ease the symptoms?

What to expect from your doctor

Some questions the doctor may ask include:

• When did symptoms begin?
• Have the symptoms been continuous, or do they come and go?
• How severe are the symptoms?
• What, if anything, seems to improve symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen symptoms?
• Have you been in contact with anyone with similar symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

Drink plenty of fluids. As you’re able, you can return to eating your normal diet. You might find you can eat bland, easy-to-digest foods at first. If your child is sick, follow the same approach — offer plenty of fluids. When possible, start having your child eat his or her normal diet. If you’re breastfeeding or using formula, continue to feed your child as usual. Ask your child’s doctor if giving your child an oral rehydration solution, available without a prescription at pharmacies, would help.

Gastroenteritis. What is Gastroenteritis?

IMPORTANT
The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.

Gastroenteritis is an inflammatory process in the stomach and small intestine, which can be caused by bacterial (including Helicobacter pylori), viral or protozoal damage, the action of chemical and physical factors, and the development of allergic reactions. The leading clinical signs are dyspeptic, pain syndrome, with acute infectious gastroenteritis – dehydration. Diagnosis consists in studying the history of the disease, the epidemiological situation, identifying the pathogen, conducting endoscopic and other additional research methods. Treatment is conservative, determined by the form of pathology.

• Causes of gastroenteritis
• Classification
• Symptoms of gastroenteritis
• Diagnostics
• Treatment of gastroenteritis
• Prognosis and prevention
• Prices for treatment

General

Gastroenteritis is an inflammatory process localized in the mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestine, leading to impaired secretory, digestive-transport function, secondary immune and metabolic changes. The disease can occur in two forms – acute and chronic, which have fundamental differences in etiology, manifestations and methods of treatment.

The prevalence is very high: in the structure of infectious diseases, acute gastroenteritis ranks second after respiratory infections, and chronic gastroenteritis occurs in more than half of schoolchildren and older age groups. The relevance of this pathology is due to the constant emergence of new strains of pathogens, the development of antibiotic resistance, the prevalence of such risk factors as poor nutrition, alcohol consumption and smoking, as well as extremely frequent cases of self-medication.

Gastroenteritis

Causes of gastroenteritis

The main reason for the development of acute inflammation is infection with bacteria, viruses, protozoa (shigella, salmonella, E. coli, enterotropic viruses, amoebae, etc.), as well as the effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestine of chemical or physical damaging factors (alcohol, certain drugs). , aggressive chemicals, ionizing radiation). Less commonly, the acute form occurs as a result of an unbalanced diet (eating too spicy, fatty foods) or individual intolerance to certain foods (allergic form).

The most common is acute infectious gastroenteritis, in which pathogenic flora enters the gastrointestinal tract, adhesion and invasion of microorganisms, and their production of enterotoxins. These processes are accompanied by an increase in the osmotic pressure of the intestinal contents and the secretion of a large amount of water and electrolytes into its lumen. The likelihood of acute infectious gastroenteritis increases with a violation of the intestinal microbiocenosis and low acidity of gastric juice.

Chronic gastroenteritis can form as a complication and continuation of an acute process, but in most cases it is caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacteria are acid-resistant microorganisms that have a tropism for the epithelial tissue of the stomach and have protective mechanisms that allow them to exist in an aggressive acidic environment.

The development of these bacteria leads to an increase in the acid-forming function, and as a result of the constant action of the acidic contents of the stomach on the mucous membrane of the small intestine, metaplasia of the intestinal epithelium, which is transformed into the gastric one. At the same time, the mucous membrane acquires favorable properties for the colonization of Helicobacteria. A chronic inflammatory process leads to insufficient production of digestive juices and inhibition of local immune mechanisms.

According to the observations of specialists in the field of practical gastroenterology, a chronic form of pathology is often observed in alcoholism. At the same time, there are atrophic changes in the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract with severe disorders of food digestion and absorption of valuable nutrients.

Classification

Gastroenteritis is classified depending on the form (acute or chronic), the etiological factor and the predominant clinical syndrome. During acute gastroenteritis, three degrees of severity are distinguished. The former is characterized by infrequent diarrhea and vomiting, normal body temperature, and no symptoms of dehydration. The average severity is determined by vomiting and diarrhea up to ten times a day, signs of mild dehydration and fever up to 38. 5ºС. Severe course is accompanied by severe dehydration, fever, impaired consciousness.

Chronic gastroenteritis is classified according to etiological factors (infectious, alimentary, caused by physical or chemical factors, diseases of the liver and pancreas), predominant functional changes (impaired membrane digestion, absorption or motor function), increased or decreased acidity. Depending on the anatomical and morphological changes, superficial gastroenteritis with damage to epithelial cells, chronic inflammation without atrophy, and chronic atrophic process are distinguished. During the chronic form, exacerbations and remissions are distinguished.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis

The clinical picture depends on the form of the disease. The acute process develops rapidly, due to frequent and profuse diarrhea and vomiting within a few hours, the patient’s condition may deteriorate significantly. If the cause of the pathology is an infectious process, the incubation period can last from 3-4 hours to several days. The most common first symptom is diarrhea, followed by nausea and vomiting. The severity of manifestations differs depending on the species of the pathogen.

With bacterial gastroenteritis, the course is usually more severe than with viral gastroenteritis, hyperthermia and intoxication syndrome are characteristic. A feature is damage to epithelial cells by toxins, therefore, in most cases, bacterial gastroenteritis is accompanied by severe spastic pain along the intestine. Viral infection is extremely rarely accompanied by abdominal pain, in young children the disease can quickly lead to significant dehydration. Viral gastroenteritis often occurs with signs of a respiratory infection.

In an acute process, the leading clinical syndrome requiring early correction is dehydration. Dehydration can reach a significant degree when the patient loses fluid in an amount of 10% of body weight or more. In this case, convulsions, impaired consciousness, severe weakness, tachycardia, and a decrease in blood pressure are possible. Patients feel intense thirst; the skin is dry, turgor is reduced. With significant dehydration, body temperature drops to 35 ºС, the amount of urine excreted decreases up to anuria.

The chronic form of the disease is accompanied by general symptoms and signs of local mucosal damage. General manifestations are characterized by weakness, asthenia, weight loss due to impaired absorption of nutrients, irritability, and insomnia. Most patients experience trophic changes in the nails (flaky, brittle nails), hair (brittle, split ends), skin and mucous membranes. Violation of calcium absorption can lead to paresthesia, spasms of small muscles.

Pain in chronic gastroenteritis occurs 1-2 hours after eating, accompanied by nausea, belching, and less often vomiting. Intestinal manifestations of the disease include diarrhea, polyfecal matter, bloating, and rumbling. In the clinic of a chronic process, periods of exacerbations and remissions alternate. Exacerbations have an autumn-spring seasonality, they are provoked by dietary disorders and concomitant diseases. With adequate therapy, symptoms regress in about ten days.

Diagnosis

In the case of an acute form of gastroenteritis, the leading role in the diagnosis is given to the study of complaints and anamnesis of the disease, the epidemiological situation in the region, risk factors, and methods for identifying the pathogen. The nature of changes in bowel movements and the degree of dehydration allow you to determine the start of treatment. An accurate diagnosis is made after the pathogen is identified, but these studies require a long time (7-10 days). On examination, dryness of the skin and a decrease in their turgor, abdominal pain on palpation are determined. The tongue is dry, coated with a grayish or white coating. Possible hyperthermia, impaired consciousness, with severe dehydration – hypothermia and convulsions.

A coprological study (coprogram) reveals impurities in stools of mucus, pus, blood, undigested fiber, muscle fibers, starch and fats. In a clinical blood test, leukocytosis and an acceleration of ESR are determined, and in case of dehydration, signs of hemoconcentration (a decrease in the liquid component of the blood) are determined. Detection of the pathogen is carried out by bacteriological and virological methods. Excrements, vomit, blood and urine are examined. The most informative serological diagnosis is a fourfold increase in the titer of specific antibodies in paired sera.

To verify chronic gastroenteritis, additional studies of the gastrointestinal tract are carried out. With esophagogastroduodenoscopy, the condition of the gastric mucosa and the initial sections of the small intestine is assessed, a biopsy of the altered sections of the mucosa is performed for subsequent histological analysis. This allows you to detect atrophy, metaplasia or hyperplasia. Antroduodenal manometry is used to detect dysmotility. Intragastric pH-metry is mandatory, since low and high acidity require a different approach to treatment. In order to detect Helicobacter pylori, PCR diagnostics, a respiratory urease test and a morphological study of biopsy specimens are carried out. To assess the condition of the liver and pancreas, ultrasound of the abdominal organs is performed.

Treatment of gastroenteritis

In an acute process, treatment can be carried out on an outpatient basis or in an infectious diseases hospital, in a chronic process, in the department of gastroenterology. The basis of therapy for the acute form is rehydration, diet therapy, in some cases, the use of antibiotics and adjuvants. Any severity of acute infectious gastroenteritis requires early initiation of oral rehydration therapy. This is especially true for young children, in whom dehydration develops very quickly. Even if there are no signs of exsicosis, plenty of fluids are required.

In the presence of thirst, dry skin, decreased urine volume, special oral saline solutions are used. The patient should drink liquid in a volume that exceeds losses by one and a half times. If thirst decreases and diuresis increases, then dehydration is compensated sufficiently. With significant losses of water and electrolytes, infusion rehydration with saline solutions is carried out.

Antibiotics in the case of acute gastroenteritis are indicated only for its bacterial etiology (the presence of mucus, pus and blood in the stool, severe hyperthermia). In case of viral infection, antibiotic therapy is contraindicated. To reduce diarrhea and remove toxins, enterosorbents are prescribed: activated carbon, dioctahedral smectite, polyphepan and others. In order to normalize the intestinal flora, probiotics and eubiotics are used.

Treatment of chronic gastroenteritis is determined by its form. In case of hyperacidity, antacids, proton pump inhibitors are used. The detection of Helicobacter pylori requires mandatory specific therapy: antibiotics, bismuth preparations and proton pump inhibitors are prescribed. With reduced acidity, natural gastric juice, enzymatic and reparative preparations are used. Be sure to restore the intestinal microflora. With severe pain syndrome, especially with solarite phenomena, physiotherapy is effective: electrophoresis with anesthetics, magnetotherapy.

In the acute and chronic form of the disease, diet is mandatory. Food should be chemically and mechanically sparing, extractives, fatty and spicy dishes are excluded. In order to reduce the risk of recurrence, patients are advised to exclude smoking, drinking alcohol, coffee and carbonated drinks. During the period of remission, sanatorium treatment is carried out. Therapy of gastroenteritis should not be carried out by patients on their own – the irrational use of symptomatic agents only reduces the manifestations, but does not lead to a cure.

Prognosis and prevention

With timely treatment, adherence to a diet, the prognosis is favorable. At the same time, self-treatment of acute gastroenteritis can lead to a chronic process. In the presence of risk factors (age up to 6 months and after 65 years, concomitant renal, cardiovascular and neurological diseases, diabetes mellitus, oncological pathology), acute pathology can be severe, while mortality is quite high.

In chronic gastroenteritis, clinical examination and regular examination are mandatory. gastroenterologist. Preventive measures include personal hygiene (washing hands after visiting the bathrooms and before eating), thorough washing of raw vegetables, herbs, sufficient heat treatment of products, a detailed examination of food industry workers with removal from production if an acute infectious process is detected.

Sources

1. treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.

   Gastroenteritis: causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention

   Gastroenteritis is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, which is expressed by inflammatory processes in the intestines and stomach. Gastroenteritis can be both acute and chronic.

   Acute gastroenteritis

   Acute gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach or intestines, often caused by improper diet or ingestion of various types of viruses and infectious agents into the intestinal tract.

   Excessive overeating or frequent dry food, as well as an irregular diet, can also cause inflammation of the stomach. The symptoms of the disease manifest themselves sharply, while pain is in the nature of contractions. The main symptoms of acute gastroenteritis are severe pain in the abdomen, or in the navel area, nausea, vomiting, general weakness of the whole body, palpitations, pallor of the skin, loss of appetite, feeling of dizziness.

   In severe cases, the patient may experience fainting. In acute gastroenteritis, a change in stool is observed – the discharge becomes similar to mucus. With the manifestation of the disease, another visual symptom is the sharpening of facial features. If the first symptom of acute gastroenteritis occurs, the patient must be given first aid – rinse the stomach with warm water with the addition of potassium permanganate or with the addition of soda. After gastric lavage, it is necessary to consult a doctor and conduct a comprehensive examination of the gastrointestinal tract and identify the causative agent of gastroenteritis.

   Causes of gastroenteritis

   Gastroenteritis is divided into several types depending on what became the causative agent of the disease. Bacterial gastroenteritis is provoked by intestinal pathogens, bacteria, salmonella or staphylococci, which enter the esophagus with poor-quality food or with weakened immunity. Viral gastroenteritis is caused by rotavirus, an intestinal viral bacterium.

   Rotavirus exposure is caused by the problem of dirty hands, poor hygiene before and during meals, poor quality, unwashed food, poorly prepared food, or eating raw food such as seafood. Chronic gastroenteritis mainly appears as a consequence of untreated acute gastroenteritis, or on the background of oncological diseases. Gastroenteritis can also be attributed to “occupational” diseases.

   Symptoms of gastroenteritis

   The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are nausea, vomiting and changes in the stool, in more severe cases of inflammation, the stool may be accompanied by bloody discharge. Quite often, the patient has a fever, severe headaches, pain in the abdomen, especially in the navel. When a viral gastroenteritis occurs, the patient has a strong increase in body temperature. Pain in the abdomen is accompanied by its strong swelling.

   The main symptoms of gastroenteritis manifest themselves within a day or two after infection. If the patient has severe dizziness and deep fainting, you should immediately seek help from a doctor, as such symptoms indicate the neglect of the disease and the inability of the body to resist the disease. In especially severe cases, there are convulsions in the body.

   Gastroenteritis in children

   Gastroenteritis in children is a common disease, but in severe and advanced cases it can cause death. Gastroenteritis in children can be as a result of dysbacteriosis, influenza, or rotavirus entering the body. Symptoms of gastroenteritis in children are nausea when eating, bloating, colic, sleep disturbance, fever, diarrhea. When the first signs of gastroenteritis occur in a child, it is necessary to take measures to prevent dehydration of the body – give as much water to drink as possible.

   If vomiting does not stop within 24 hours after the discovery of the disease, consult a doctor immediately. If gastroenteritis is detected, the child must follow a diet to normalize the work of the stomach. It includes unsweetened vegetable or fruit purees, baked apples, boiled lean meats, lean soups, and fish. This diet is observed for a week, after which you can return to your usual diet. When treating gastroenteritis in children, it is necessary to exclude the use of dairy products for two weeks.

   Treatment of gastroenteritis

   When the first signs of the disease appear, the patient should refrain from eating for several hours to normalize bowel function. Drink as much liquid as possible – water or light juices without pulp. After the feeling of nausea disappears, you can eat some boiled rice, crackers or a banana. In the treatment of gastroenteritis, antibiotics are not taken. In the presence of severe pain, it is necessary to do a gastric lavage with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or soda.

   Diet for gastroenteritis includes lean boiled fish and meat, lean soups, cereals, vegetables, and as much liquid as possible – water, juices. The patient is forbidden to consume dairy products, fruits. The diet must be followed for 3-4 days, after which it is necessary to return to the previous diet.

   Within three days (June 3-5, 2015), 7 townspeople with a diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis turned to the emergency department of the YaNAO “Gubkinskaya City Hospital”, 6 more patients were delivered by the ambulance department; of them: 1 – was hospitalized in the intensive care unit and anesthesiology, 7 – in the infectious diseases department in a state of moderate severity, the rest – refused hospitalization. The age range of patients is from 12 years to 61 years. During this period, the condition of all patients is stable.