Gastroenteritis

What is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is a common infection of the stomach and intestines (where food is digested). It may be called stomach flu. Gastroenteritis can be serious for people with health problems and older adults.

What causes gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis occurs when a germ infects your stomach and intestines. It may be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites (bugs that can live inside you). Norovirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis in adults. It is also called Norwalk virus.

What increases my risk for gastroenteritis?

• Close contact with an infected person or animal: This includes drinking from the same glass, or sharing clothes or linens. Parents may get gastroenteritis from their children. Nursing homes, cruise ships, and public swimming pools are common places for the spread of gastroenteritis. You also may get gastroenteritis from handling animals.
  
  
• Food poisoning: Food can be infected when it is picked, processed, or cooked. The following are common infected foods:
  
  
  • Eggs
    
    
  • Meat that is not fully cooked
    
    
  • Raw vegetables
    
    
  • Shellfish
    
    
  • Fried rice
  
  
• Drinking water that is not clean: This may occur when you camp or travel.

What are the signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis?

You may have no signs or symptoms. You may have any of the following:

• Diarrhea or gas
  
  
• Nausea, vomiting, or poor appetite
  
  
• Abdominal (belly) cramps, pain, or gurgling
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Fatigue (feeling very tired) or weakness
  
  
• Headaches or muscle aches with any of the above symptoms

How is gastroenteritis diagnosed?

Your caregiver will examine you. He will check for signs of dehydration (you lose body fluids and nutrients). He will ask you how often you are vomiting or having diarrhea. You may also need the following:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Stool sample: A sample of your stool or bowel movement (BM) is sent to a lab for tests. The stool may show what germ is causing your illness. This helps caregivers learn what medicine is best to treat you.

How is gastroenteritis treated?

Gastroenteritis usually lasts for 1 to 10 days. It may last longer. Gastroenteritis often clears up on its own. You may need the following medicines to treat your symptoms:

• Diarrhea medicine: This medicine can relieve your diarrhea.
  
  
• Vomiting medicine: This medicine may help settle your stomach and keep you from throwing up.
  
  
• Antibiotics: This medicine may be given if you have an infection caused by certain types of bacteria. Take your antibiotics until they are gone, even if you feel better.
  
  
• Parasite medicine: This medicine is given to kill parasites.

How can I manage my gastroenteritis?

• Drink liquids: It is important to prevent or treat dehydration. Even if you feel sick or have been vomiting, suck on ice chips or take small sips of clear liquids often. Slowly increase the amount of clear liquids you drink. If you become dehydrated, you may need intravenous (IV) liquids.
  
  
• Drink oral rehydration solution: You may also need to drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS). An ORS contains water, salts, and sugar that are needed to replace lost body fluids. Ask what kind of ORS to use, how much to drink, and where to get it.
  
  
• Eat bland foods: When you feel hungry, begin eating soft, bland foods. Examples are bananas, clear soup, potatoes, and applesauce. Do not have dairy products, alcohol, sugary drinks, or drinks with caffeine until you feel better.
  
  
• Rest as much as possible: Slowly start to do more each day when you begin to feel better.

How can I prevent gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis can spread easily. Keep yourself, your family, and your surroundings clean to help prevent the spread of gastroenteritis:

• Wash hands, laundry, and surfaces: You and all household members must always wash your hands after you go to the bathroom or change diapers. Throw diapers away immediately. Wash clothes and towels you use while ill separately from the rest of your laundry. Clean surfaces in your home with antibacterial cleaner or bleach.
  
  
• Cook safely: Wash your hands and raw vegetables before you cook. Have your household members wash their hands before they eat. Cook meat, fish, and eggs fully. Do not use the same dishes for raw meat as you do for other foods. Refrigerate unused portions immediately.
  
  
• Be aware when you camp or travel: Drink only clean water. Do not drink from rivers or lakes unless you purify or boil the water first. When you travel, drink bottled water and avoid ice. Do not eat unpeeled fruit. Avoid raw fish or meat that is not fully cooked. You may want to take antidiarrheal medicine or antibiotics even if you are not sick. Ask your caregiver for more information.

What are the risks of gastroenteritis?

• Diarrhea, vomiting, or fever that lasts a long time can make you dehydrated. Dehydration can be a very serious problem for people with health problems and older adults. It may be life-threatening. Medicines to treat your symptoms may make you sick to your stomach.
  
  
• Without treatment, gastroenteritis may lead to other infections or more serious illnesses. It can affect your organs, such as your kidneys. Talk to your caregiver about any concerns you have with your condition, treatment, or care.

When should I contact my caregiver?

Contact your caregiver if:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You continue to vomit or have diarrhea, even after treatment.
  
  
• You see worms in your diarrhea.
  
  
• Your mouth or eyes are dry. You are not urinating as often as usual.

When should I seek immediate help?

Seek immediate help or call 911 if:

• You see blood in your diarrhea.
  
  
• You cannot stop vomiting.
  
  
• You have not urinated all day.
  
  
• Your legs or arms are blue.
  
  
• You are having trouble breathing or have a very fast pulse.
  
  
• You feel like you are going to faint.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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