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Trends Gastroenterol, Volume 1, Issue 1
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Article Number: TGOA-1-R004
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The Characteristics of Gastroenteritis/Infectious Diarrhea
1
Shiozawa K, 2Watanabe M* , 3Ikehara T,4 Matsukiyo Y, 5Kogame M, 6Shinohara M,7 Kikuchi Y,
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Shinohara M,9 Igarashi Y, 10Sumino Y
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University Medical Center,
Omori Hospital, 6-11-1 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8541, Japan
*Corresponding Author: Shiozawa K, Watanabe M,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of
Internal Medicine, Toho University Medical Center, Omori Hospital, 6-11-1 Omorinishi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8541,
Japan, E-mail: [email protected]
Gastroenteritis or infectious diarrhea is a medical condition from inflammation ("-itis") of the gastrointestinal tract that
involves both the stomach("gastro"-) and the small intestine ("entero"-). It causes some combination of diarrhea, vomiting,
and abdominal pain and cramping. Dehydration may occur as a result. Gastroenteritis has been referred to as gastro, stomach
bug, and stomach virus. Although unrelated to influenza, it has also been called stomach flu and gastric flu.
Globally, most acute cases in children are caused by rotavirus. In adults, norovirus and Campylobacter are more
common. Less common causes of acute cases include other bacteria (or their toxins) and parasites. Transmission may occur
due to consumption of improperly prepared foods or contaminated water or via close contact with individuals who are
infectious. Prevention includes drinking clean water, hand washing with soap, and breast feeding babies instead of
using formula. This applies particularly where sanitation and hygiene are lacking. The rotavirus vaccine is recommended for
all children.
The key treatment is getting enough fluids. For mild or moderate cases, this can typically be achieved via oral
rehydration solution (a combination of water, salts, and sugar). In those who are breast fed, continued breast feeding is
recommended. For more severe cases, intravenous fluids from a healthcare centre may be needed. Antibiotics are generally
not recommended. Gastroenteritis primarily affects children and those in the developing world. It results in about three to five
billion cases and causes 1.4 million deaths a year.
Gastroenteritis typically involves both diarrhea and
vomiting, or less commonly, presents with only one or the
other. Abdominal cramping may also be present. Signs and symptoms usually begin 12–72 hours after contracting the
infectious agent. If due to a viral agent, the condition usually resolves within one week some viral causes may also be
associated with fever, fatigue, headache, and
muscle. If the stool is bloody, the cause is less likely to be viral and more likely
to be bacterial. Some bacterial infections may be associated with severe abdominal pain and may persist for several weeks.
Children infected with rotavirus usually make a full recovery within three to eight days. However, in poor countries
treatment for severe infections is often out of reach and persistent diarrhea is common. Dehydration is a common complication
of diarrhea and a child with a significant degree of dehydration may have a prolonged capillary refill, poor
abnormal breathing. Repeat infections are typically seen in areas with poor sanitation, and
skin, and
malnutrition, stunted growth, and
long-term cognitive delays can result.
Reactive arthritis occurs in 1% of people following infections with Campylobacter species, and syndrome
occurs
in 0.1%. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) may occur due to infection with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia
colior Shigella species, causing low platelet counts, poor kidney function, and low red blood cell count (due to their
breakdown). Children are more predisposed to getting HUS than adults. Some viral infections may produce benign infantile
seizures.
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