Gastroenteritis (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- Gastroenteritis Overview
- Gastroenteritis Causes
- Gastroenteritis Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Gastroenteritis Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Pictures
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) - Effective Treatments
Gastroenteritis Causes
Gastroenteritis has many causes. Viruses and bacteria are the most common.
Viruses and bacteria are very contagious and can spread through contaminated food or water. In up to 50% of diarrheal outbreaks, no specific agent is found. Improper handwashing following a bowel movement or handling a diaper can spread the disease from person to person.
Gastroenteritis caused by viruses may last one to two days. On the other hand, bacterial cases can last for a longer period of time.
Viruses
Fifty to seventy percent of cases of gastroenteritis in adults are caused by the noroviruses.
Rotavirus is the leading cause of infection in children.
Other viruses that cause gastrointestinal symptoms include:
- Adenoviruses
- Parvoviruses
- Astroviruses
Bacteria
Bacteria may cause gastroenteritis directly by infecting the walls of the stomach and intestine. As well, some bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus can form a toxin that is the cause of symptoms. Staph is a common type of food poisoning.
Escherichia coli can cause significant problems, and one type of the bacteria, E. coli O157:H7 can also affect kidney function.
Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter
Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter are also common causes of illness.
- Salmonella - the cause of
typhoid fever is
contracted from handling poultry or reptiles such as turtles that carry the
germs
- Campylobacter - from the
consumption of undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk
- Shigella - typically spread from person to person
Clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile (C difficile) bacteria may overgrow in the large intestine after a patient has been on antibiotics for an infection.
Parasites and protozoans
These tiny organisms are less frequently responsible for intestinal irritation. You may become infected by one of these by drinking contaminated water. Swimming pools are common places to come in contact with these parasites. Common parasites include these:
- Giardia - The most
frequent cause of waterborne diarrhea, causing giardiasis
- Cryptosporidium - Affects mostly people with weakened immune systems and causes watery diarrhea
Other common causes
Gastroenteritis that is not contagious to others can be caused by chemical toxins, most often found in seafood, food allergies, heavy metals, antibiotics, and other medications.
Next: Gastroenteritis Symptoms »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) - Effective Treatments
How long did the symptoms of your gastroenteritis (stomach flu) last? Was there anything in particular that helped with pain/symptom relief?
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Gastroenteritis »
Gastroenteritis is a nonspecific term for various pathologic states of the gastrointestinal tract.
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