Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the GI tract, and it presents with Diarrhoea, and N+V. Diarrhoea is the passing of 3+ episodes of watery stool a day. Dysentery is gastroenteritis w/bloody diarrhoea.

Complications - IBS, Reactive arthritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome (ascending peripheral neuropathy)

Causes:

Bacterial:

• Staphylococcus Aureus - found in cooked meats

• Campylobacter Jejuni

• E.coli - Can cause Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS)

• Salmonella - found in raw eggs or poultry

• Shigella - found in faecal-contaminated water/food

• Clostridium perfringens - found in reheated meat dishes or cooked meats

• Yersinia Enterocolitica - found in pigs and raw/undercooked pork

Viral:

• Rotavirus - most common cause in infants

• Norovirus - most common viral cause for all ages

• Adenovirus

Parasitic:

• Giardia

• Schistosoma

• Cryptosporidium

Investigations and Management:

Investigations - Faecal MC&S

Important to prevent further spread through isolation, good hygiene, and infection control.

The mainstay of management is Rehydration and Fluid replacement. Medications to consider giving include:

• Anti-diarrhoeal e.g. loperamide

• Anti-emetic e.g. metoclopramide

• Abx if severe

N.B. Important to keep in mind that metoclopramide is a pro-kinetic drug for the gut, so will increase bowel movements as well as producing its anti-emetic effects.