Gastroenteritis(Stomach Flu) in Adulthood
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Introduction
The lining of the stomach and intestines become inflamed when someone has gastroenteritis. Vomiting and diarrhea are the predominant signs and symptoms. In healthy individuals, it rarely causes serious problems, but it occasionally can result in severe symptoms or induce dehydration.
Types of Gastroenteritis and their causative organisms
Viral Gastroenteritis
- Astrovirus
- Norovirus
- Rotavirus
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
- Escheria coli
- Clostridioides difficile
- Salmonella
- Campylobacter
- Shigella
Parasitic Gastroenteritis
- Cryptosporidium
- Giardia
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Bloody stools
- Pus in the stools
- Bloating
- Abdominal cramps
- Nausea
How can Gastroenteritis be diagnosed?
Sigmoidoscopy
In order to search for indications of inflammatory bowel disease in the lower portion of the large intestine, a physician will introduce via the anus a thin, flexible tube that contains a very small camera. In most cases, sedation is not necessary for the sigmoidoscopy process, which lasts for only fifteen minutes.
Stool tests
Clinical symptoms and probable organisms based on patient history and epidemiological factors direct stool tests.Usually, cases are divided into
- Acute inflammatory diarrhea can be identified if leukocytes are found in a stool sample. Stool cultures for typical enteric pathogens should be performed on patients (eg, Shigella, Salmonella,E.coli, Campylobacter).
- Acute watery diarrhea testing is not necessary unless the diarrhea persists because it is most likely viral. Commercially available fast assays that identify viral antigen in the stool can be used to diagnose rotavirus and enteric adenovirus infections, but these assays are rarely necessary.
- Sub acute or watery diarrhea need to be tested for parasitic causes, usually by looking for ova and parasites in microscopic stool examinations. Cryptosporidium,Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia can all be detected by fecal antigen testing, which are more accurate than microscopic stool analysis.
Treatment for Gastroenteritis
- Antibiotics
- IV or Oral hydration
- Anti diarrheal agents
Avoidance of gastroenteritis in the future
- After using the restroom or changing a baby, smoking, using a handkerchief or tissue, or handling animals, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.
- To prevent the growth of bacteria, keep cold food cold (below 5 °C) and hot food hot (above 60 °C).
- Regularly clean the restroom and lavatory (especially the toilet seat, door handles and taps).
- Use different tools (tongs, knives, cutting boards) to handle raw and cooked meals unless they have been well cleaned between uses.
- Consume only apple juice and pasteurized dairy products. Heat is used in the pasteurization process to eliminate microorganisms.
- Before preparing meals or eating, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.
- When traveling, especially in developing nations, drink bottled water and stay away from ice cubes. You might get sick from unfamiliar bacteria that reside in the water.
Conclusion
One of the most widespread causes of infectious diseases in the world, gastroenteritis is a prevalent condition. Vomiting, nauseousness, abdominal discomfort, and, most significantly, diarrhea are just a few of the indications and symptoms it might produce. Chronic, recurring, or acute gastroenteritis are all possible. Only in the United States do more than 350 million cases of acute gastroenteritis occur annually. Viral infections account for the majority of cases of gastroenteritis. Antibiotic usage on the basis of symptoms is therefore typically not advised. However, empiric antibiotic therapy is recommended in a small number of patients and is linked to a considerable improvement and drop in mortality. Treating dehydration is the main objective of gastroenteritis therapy.