GASTROENTERITIS

DEFINITION
 Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining
of the stomach and intestines.
 It is frequently referred to as the stomach or
intestinal flu.
 It is probably the most commonly illness with
an average person having about 3-4 bouts in a
year.
 CAUSES
 Viruses- such as
Vibrio cholerae- acute diarrheal illness caused
by swallowing food or water contaminated with
cholera bacteria.
Calicivirus- causes moderate to severe
gastroenteritis.it include norovirus and sapovirus,
which both causes acute gastroenteritis.
 Rotavirus - Rotaviruses are the most common
cause of diarrhoeal disease among infants and
young children.
 Astrovirus-transmitted fecal–orally,
and contaminated food and water have been
linked to astrovirus outbreaks.
 Adenovirus- most common cause (5–20%) of
acute gastroenteritis in young children
 Bacteria- such as
Campylobacter bacterium- found in animal feces.
Infection is caused by contaminated food and
water.
 Parasites- such as

1. Entamoeba histolytica

2. Giardia lamblia

3. cryptosporidium
 Bacterial toxins- some strains of staphylococcal
bacteria produce toxins that can cause
gastroenteritis.
 Chemicals- e.g.- lead poisioning can trigger
gastroenteritis.
 Drugs- certain drugs, such as antibiotics can
irritate the digestive tract.
CLASSIFICATION
 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
 Depends on two factors-
 1. pathogens ingested is insufficient in quantity

to cause the infection and can survive the host

defence mechanism.
 2. pathogens causing gastroenteritis causes

virulence mechanism.
The host defence mechanisms that decreases the
risk of infectious disease are as follows-
 Gastric acidity
 Peristalsis
 Immune system
 Gastrointestinal microfilaria
 CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
 The symptoms of gastroenteritis can include:
 loss of appetite.
 bloating.
 nausea.
 vomiting.
 abdominal cramps.
 abdominal pain.
 diarrhea.
 bloody stools (poo) – in some cases.
 DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
 Diagnostic methods may include:
 medical history
 physical examination
 blood tests- A complete blood count test,
measurement of electrolytes and kidney
function tests can help indicate the severity of
diarrhea.
 stool tests- rapid stool test can detect rotavirus
or norovirus