What is Gastroenteritis
When you have diarrhea and vomiting, you may say you have the "stomach flu."
These symptoms often are due to a condition called gastroenteritis.
With gastroenteritis, your stomach and intestines are irritated and inflamed.
The cause is typically a viral or bacterial infection.
Also See: Anxiety Mouse; Lessons in Coping with Anxiety
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomiting. Other
common symptoms include stomach pain, cramping, fever, nausea, and headache.
Because of diarrhea and vomiting, the body becomes dehydrated. Signs to look
out for includes dry skin and a dry mouth, feeling lightheaded, and being
really thirsty.
Children with gastroenteritis can get dehydrated quickly, so if your child has
the stomach flu, it's important that you look for signs that he is very
thirsty or has dry skin or a dry mouth. If you have a baby, look for fewer,
drier diapers.
Keep children with gastroenteritis out of day care or school until all
symptoms are gone. Check with your doctor before giving your child any
medicine. Drugs used to control diarrhea and vomiting aren't usually given to
children younger than 5.
What Causes Gastroenteritis
There are many ways gastroenteritis can be spread:
- Contact with someone who has the virus
- Contaminated food or water
- Unwashed hands after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper
The most common cause of gastroenteritis is a virus. Gastroenteritis flu can
be caused by many different kinds of viruses. The main types are rota-virus
and norovirus.
Rota-virus is the world's most common cause of diarrhea in infants and young
children. Norovirus is the most common cause of serious gastroenteritis and
also food-borne disease outbreaks in the U.S.
Although not as common, bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella can also
trigger the stomach flu. Salmonella and campylobacter bacteria are the most
common bacterial causes of gastroenteritis in the U.S. and are usually spread
by under-cooked poultry, eggs, or poultry juices. Salmonella can also be
spread through pet reptiles or live poultry.
Another bacteria, shigella, is often passed around in day care centers. It
typically is spread from person to person, and common sources of infection are
contaminated food and drinking water.
Parasites can also cause gastroenteritis, but it's not common. You can pick up
organisms such as giardia and cryptosporidium in contaminated swimming pools
or by drinking contaminated water.
There are also other unusual ways to get gastroenteritis:
- Heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, or mercury) in drinking water
- Eating a lot of acidic foods, like citrus fruit and tomatoes
- Toxins that might be found in certain seafood
- Medications such as antibiotics, antacids, laxatives, and chemotherapy drugs
Source: WebMD
Posted in Health Matters
Related
- Government Announces Cholera Outbreak in Lagos, as Two Dies
- 42 Anti-Malaria Drugs Banned by EU Still Consumed in Nigeria (See The List)
- MUST READ: 29 Year Old Dies After Alleged Wrong Diagnosis By Lagos Hospital
- Heartbroken Couple Plead With Parents Not To Allow Strangers Kiss Their Children, See Their Reason
- Photo: Share To Save A Boob…
No comments