What Is Gastroenteritis

“Gastroenteritis” refers to inflammation and infection of the Gastrointestinal tract, commonly known as the “stomach flu” and is often associated with diarrhoea and vomiting.


Symptoms

Watery Diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea and headaches are all known symptoms of Gastroenteritis.

As a secondary consequence, patients can become dehydrated. Clinically, patients will experience dry skin, dry mouth, feeling light headed and thirst.


Stomach Flu and Children

Children and toddlers dehydrate faster than adults. The child that constantly complains of persistent diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting and presents with dry skin is likely dehydrated. For toddlers, watch for dry and fewer diaper counts throughout the day.

Children with gastroenteritis should be kept at home away from school or day care centers until all the symptoms abate. It is best to have a full medical consult before returning to school.

There are vaccines available against viruses that cause Gastroenteritis. Do enquire with your attend physician.


Causes  of 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.

Most commonly, Gastroenteritis is caused by a virus, either of the rotavirus or norovirus strains.

Rotavirus 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 foodborne disease outbreaks in the U.S.

Bacteria, on the other hand, such as E.Coli, Campylobacter and Salmonella can also trigger severe Gastroenteritis. They can be spread by unwashed hands after toileting, poorly cooked poultry, eggs, poultry juices, and even through live poultry.

Another common bacteria of the shigella strain, is often found in day care centers as it typically spreads via contaminated food and drinking water.

Parasites can also cause gastroenteritis, but it's not common. Parasites like giardia and cryptosporidium spread via contaminated swimming pools or contaminated water.

Other less common causes of gastroenteritis include:

• 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.

About The Author

Dr Lau Tzun Hon is a resident housecall doctor at CMY Medical. He received his MBBS (Hons) from Sydney University in 2001 and has served in the both private and government restructured hospitals prior to commencing his practice in Home Care.

While in the Government Restructured Hospitals, Dr Lau served primarily in the Department of Accident & Emergency Medicine and Anaesthesia. Upon entering the Private sector, Dr Lau worked in both public and private A&E departments before venturing into Home Care.

Over the years, he has developed a strong passion to maintain and  enhance the quality of life for patients under his care.  A strong believer that healthcare does not need to be financially straining, Dr Lau often delivers more value beyond expectations.