Viral Gastroenteritis - is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines from a virus. Infection can lead to diarrhea and vomiting. This is sometimes called "stomach flu."

Viral Gastroenteritis - Signs, symptoms and causes

- Causes

Viral gastroenteritis is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in adults and children. Many types of viruses can cause viral gastroenteritis. The most common are: Astrovirus, Enteric adenovirus Norovirus (also called Norwalk-like virus). It is common among school-age children. Rotavirus, the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children. It can also infect adults children exposed to the virus. Outbreaks may also occur in nursing homes. These viruses are often found in contaminated food or drinking water. Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis usually appear within 4-48 hours after exposure to contaminated food or water.

Those with the highest risk for severe gastroenteritis include the young, the elderly, and people who have suppressed immune system.

Signs and symptoms

Abdominal pain

Diarrhea

Nausea

Vomiting

Other symptoms may include:

Chills

Feeling clammy skin

Excessive Sweating

Fever

Joint stiffness

Leakage (incontinence) of stool

Muscle

Vomiting blood (very rarely)

Weight loss

Diagnostic

The doctor will look for signs that the body does not have enough water (dehydrated). These include:

Dry or sticky mouth

Lethargy or coma (severe dehydration)

Low blood pressure

Decreased urine output; concentrated urine appears dark yellow

Tests examining fecal samples can be used to identify the specific virus. This is not usually necessary for viral gastroenteritis. A stool culture can be done to identify a cause of bacterial diarrhea.

Viral Gastroenteritis - Treatment

The goal of treatment is to prevent dehydration providing as much water and fluids as it should. Fluids and electrolytes (salt and minerals), which sauu lost through vomiting or diarrhea should be replaced by drinking extra fluids. Even if you are able to eat, drink fluids should additionally between meals.

Older children and adults can drink sports drinks such as Gatorade, but these should not be used for children. Instead, it must use the solutions of electrolytes and fluid replacement.

Do NOT use fruit juice (including apple juice), juices or cola. All of them have a lot of sugar, which makes diarrhea worse, plus they do not replace lost minerals.

Drink small amounts of fluid every 30-60 minutes, rather than trying to force large amounts at one time, which can cause vomiting. Use a teaspoon or syringe for an infant or toddler.

Breast milk or formula can be continued along with extra fluids. No need to switch to a soy formula.

Food can be given frequently in small amounts. Recommended foods include:

Cereals, bread, potatoes, lean meat

plain yogurt, bananas, fresh apples

Vegetables

People with diarrhea who are unable to drink fluids because of nausea, may need hidratatre intravenous (fluids directly into a vein). This is especially true in small children.

Antibiotics do not work for viruses.