INTRODUCTION

Gastroenteritis is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines (the gastrointestinal
tract). Diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain,nausea, and vomiting are the most common symptoms.
Viral infection is the most common cause of gastroenteritis but bacteria, parasites, and food-borne illness (such as shellfish) can
be the offending agent.
Many people who experience the vomiting and diarrhea that develop from these types of infections or irritations think they have
"food poisoning," and they may indeed have a food-borne illness. Many people also refer to gastroenteritis as "stomach flu,"
although influenza has nothing to do with the condition.
Travelers to foreign countries may experience "traveler's diarrhea" from contaminated food and unclean water.

 The severity of infectious gastroenteritis depends on the immune system's ability to resist the
infection. Electrolytes (these include essential elements ofsodium and potassium) may be lost as you vomit and experience
diarrhea.

 Most people recover easily from a short bout with vomiting and diarrhea by drinking fluids and easing back into a
normal diet. But for others, such as infants and the elderly, loss of bodily fluid with gastroenteritis can causedehydration,
which is a life-threatening illness unless the condition is treated and fluids restored.

GASTROENTERITIS CAUSES

Gastroenteritis has many causes. Viruses and bacteria are the most common.
Viruses and bacteria are very contagious and can spread through contaminated food or water. In up to 50% of diarrheal
outbreaks, no specific agent is found. Improper handwashing following a bowel movement or handling a diaper can spread the
disease from person to person.
Gastroenteritis caused by viruses may last one to two days. On the other hand, bacterial cases can last for a longer period of time.

Viruses
Fifty to seventy percent of cases of gastroenteritis in adults are caused by thenoroviruses.
Rotavirus is the leading cause of infection in children.
Other viruses that cause gastrointestinal symptoms include:

 Adenoviruses
 Parvoviruses
 Astroviruses

Bacteria
Bacteria may cause gastroenteritis directly by infecting the walls of the stomach and intestine. As well, some bacteria
like Staphylococcus aureus can form a toxin that is the cause of symptoms. Staph is a common type of food poisoning.

Escherichia coli can cause significant problems, and one type of the bacteria, E. coli O157:H7 can also affect kidney function.

Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter
Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter are also common causes of illness.

 Salmonella - the cause of typhoid fever is contracted from handling poultry or reptiles such as turtles that carry the
germs 
 Campylobacter - from the consumption of undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk 

 Shigella - typically spread from person to person

Clostridium difficile
Clostridium difficile (C difficile) bacteria may overgrow in the large intestine after a patient has been on antibiotics for an
infection.

Parasites and protozoans

These tiny organisms are less frequently responsible for intestinal irritation. You may become infected by one of these by
drinking contaminated water. Swimming pools are common places to come in contact with these parasites. Common parasites
include these:

 Giardia - The most frequent cause of waterborne diarrhea, causing giardiasis 

 Cryptosporidium - Affects mostly people with weakened immune systems and causes watery diarrhea

Other common causes

Gastroenteritis that is not contagious to others can be caused by chemical toxins, most often found in seafood, food allergies,
heavy metals, antibiotics, and other medications.

GASTROENTERITIS SYMPTOMS

By definition, gastroenteritis affects both the stomach and the intestines, resulting in both vomiting and diarrhea.
Common symptoms may include:

 Low grade fever to 100°F (37.7°C) 

 Nausea with or without vomiting 
 Mild-to-moderate diarrhea: 
 Crampy painful abdominal bloating
More serious symptoms

 Blood in vomit or stool

 Vomiting more than 48 hours 
 Fever higher than 101°F (40°C) 
 Swollen abdomen or abdominal pain
 Dehydration - weakness, lightheadedness, decreased urination, dry skin, dry mouthand lack of sweat and tears are
characteristic findings.

EXAMS AND TESTS

Gastroenteritis is often self-limiting, and the care is supportive to control symptoms and prevent dehydration. Tests may not be
needed.
If the symptoms persist for a prolonged period of time, the physician may want to consider blood and stool tests to determine the
cause of the vomiting and diarrhea.
As always, taking a thorough history is of great value, as is the physical examination.
The patient will be asked if other family or friends have similar exposure or symptoms. The doctor will want to know about the
duration, frequency, and description of the patient's bowel movements and whether they are vomiting. The patient will be asked
 how often and the amount they are urinating to help the doctor determine if fluid loss is causing dehydration. Has the patient lost
any weight?
The doctor also will take a medical history, including the following:

 Travel history: Travel may suggest E. colibacterial infection or a parasite infection from something the patient ate or
drank. 

 Exposure to poisons or other irritants:Swimming in contaminated water or drinking from suspicious fresh water
such as mountain streams or wells may indicate infection from Giardia - an organism found in water that causes diarrhea. 

 Diet change, food preparation habits, and storage: When the disease occurs following exposure to undercooked or
improperly stored or prepared food such as potato salad at a picnic, food poisoning must be considered. In general, symptoms
caused by bacteria or their toxins will become apparent after the following amount of time: 

o Staphylococcus aureus in 2-6 hours 

o Clostridium 8-10 hours 
o Salmonella in 12-72 hours

 Medications: If the patient has used broad-spectrum or multiple antibiotics recently, they may have antibiotic-
associated irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Physical examination will look for the reasons for symptoms that may not be related to infection. If there are specific tender areas
in the abdomen, the doctor will want to determine if the patient has appendicitis, gallbladder disease, pancreatitis,diverticulitis, or
other conditions that may be the cause of the patient's symptoms.
Other noninfectious gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis must also be considered. The doctor also
will feel the abdomen for masses. A rectal examination may be considered, in which the physician inspects the anus for any
abnormalities and then inserts a finger in to the rectum to feel for masses. Stool obtained during this test may be tested for the
presence of blood.
The doctor may perform other lab tests, including a complete blood count, electrolytes, and kidney function tests. Stool samples
may be tested for blood and different types of infection,

GASTROENTERITIS TREATMENT

Self-Care at Home
The mainstay of home treatment of gastroenteritis is hydration. Dehydration will make the symptoms of nausea and vomiting
worse and compound symptoms.
Clear fluids should be consumed for the first 24 hours, then gradually progress the diet as tolerated. Clear fluids are anything you
can see through. Popsicles and jell-o work well, since they are ingested slowly. Drinking too much fluid too quickly will distend
the stomach and worsen the nausea.

Dehydration in children
For dehydration in children, they should be given oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte, Rehydrate, Resol, and Rice-Lyte.
They contain a good balance of electrolytes that allow better absorption in the stomach than water alone. As well, rehydration
with plain water can affect the sodium concentration in the body and lead to seizures.

 After each loose stool, children younger than two years should be given 1-3 ounces of any of the rehydration
solutions. Older children should be asked to drink 3-8 ounces. Adults should drink as much as possible. 
 This guideline serves only to replace fluid loss due to diarrhea. Drink additional fluid equal to the amount the patient
normally drink. 

 In underdeveloped nations or regions without available commercial pediatric drinks, the World Health
Organization has established a field recipe for fluid rehydration: 

o Mix 2 tablespoons of sugar (or honey) with ¼ teaspoon of table salt and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda.
(Baking soda may be substituted with ¼ teaspoon of table salt.) Mix mixture in 1 liter (1 qt) of clean or previously boiled
water. 

 After 24 hours, begin to offer bland foods with the BRAT diet - bananas, rice, applesauce without sugar, toast, pasta,
or potatoes.

Dehydration in adults
Although adults and adolescents have a larger electrolyte reserve than children, electrolyte imbalance and dehydration may still
occur as fluid is lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Severe symptoms and dehydration usually develop as complications of
medication use or chronic diseases such as diabetes or kidney failure, however, symptoms may occur in healthy people.

 Clear fluids are appropriate for the first 24 hours to maintain adequate hydration. 
 After 24 hours of fluid diet without vomiting, begin a soft-bland solid diet such as the BRAT diet.

MEDICATIONS

Doctors usually don't prescribe antibiotics until bacteria have been identified. Antibiotics may be given for certain bacteria,
specificallyCampylobacter, Shigella, and Vibrio cholerae, if properly identified through laboratory testing. Otherwise, using
any antibiotic or the wrong antibiotic can worsen some infections or make them last longer.
Some infections, like salmonella, are not treated with antibiotics. With supportive care of fluids and rest, the body is able to
resolve the infection without antibiotics.
For adults, the doctor may give medications to stop vomiting (antiemetics) such aspromethazine (Phenergan,
Anergan),prochlorperazine (Compazine), or ondansetron(Zofran). Sometimes these medications are prescribed as a suppository.
Doctors usually do not recommend antiemetics for infants. Children who are a little older may be offered antiemetic medication.
Doctors generally avoid antidiarrheal medications for all age groups if they suspect the infection is caused by a toxin. The most
common antidiarrheal agents for people older than three years are over-the-countermedications such as diphenoxylate atropine
(Lomotil, Lofene, Lonox) or loperamide hydrochloride (Imodium).

PREVENTION

With most infections, the key is to block the spread of the organism.

 Always wash your hands. 

 Eat properly prepared and stored food. 
 Bleach soiled laundry. 
 Vaccinations for Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, and rotavirus have been developed. Rotavirus vaccination is
recommended for infants in the U.S. Vaccines for S. typhi and V. cholerae may be administered to individuals traveling in at-
risk areas.
 Wesleyan University- Philippines
Mabini Ext. Cabanatuan City
COLLEGE OF NURSING

CASE STUDY

ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS

Submitted to:
Mrs. Dorotea Arocena, R.N
Clinical Instructor
 Submitted by:
James Michael V. Limos
Group 2 BLK.9 WU-P SN’11