Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu): Symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment

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Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)
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Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu)

• Gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, is a
  medical condition that is characterised by
  inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The
  inflammation is mainly caused due to a pathogenic
  infection. The causal organism may be a virus,
  fungus, parasite or bacterium. Though the
  incidence of viral stomach flu is definitely
  higher than a bacterial infection in stomach and
  intestines, consumption of contaminated food may
  provide bacteria an opportunity to travel to the
  gastrointestinal tract. Once bacteria find a way
  into the gastrointestinal tract, they start
  multiplying. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal
  tract is the direct result of the spurt in the
  bacterial growth. Given below is some information
  on bacteria that cause inflammation of the
  digestive tract along with bacterial
  gastroenteritis symptoms and treatment options.

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Bacteria that commonly cause gastroenteritis

• Bacterial infection in stomach and intestines is
  mainly caused due to consumption of contaminated
  food or water. At times, the way the food items
  are handled or stored at grocery stores or the
  way in which these foods are prepared at the food
  joints may be responsible for contamination of
  food items. Campylobacter jejuni,
  Clostridium, Shigella, Salmonella, Escherichia
  coli or Staphylococcus aureus figure in the list
  of common bacteria that may cause stomach flu. 
• The symptoms usually appear soon after the
  ingestion of contaminated water or foods. As the
  bacteria grow in numbers, they may also react
  with the food present inside the gastrointestinal
  tract, and start producing toxins. This leads to
  the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

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Bacteria that commonly cause gastroenteritis
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• Since some of the bacteria may be found in
  poultry, it is essential that you wash your hands
  after handling animals that may be infected.
  Those who don't do so, are at an increased risk
  of developing gastroenteritis. Sometimes bacteria
  may be present in human faeces, and if the
  infected person doesn't wash his hands properly
  after defecating, the surfaces or objects he/she
  touches may become contaminated. It is therefore,
  essential that one pays attention to hygiene.

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Symptoms

• Diarrhoea  is a characteristic sign of
  gastroenteritis. As bacteria enter the digestive
  tract, they start acting on the partly digested
  food. The toxins that may either be present in
  the contaminated food, or may be generated as the
  bacteria act on the contents of the stomach or
  the intestinal tract, may further cause
  inflammation of the stomach and the intestines.
  The digestive process would naturally be
  adversely affected on account of inflammation.
  Since the absorption of nutrients or water may be
  impacted, one is most likely to suffer
  from watery stools or diarrhoea. Vomiting,
  nausea, bloating or abdominal cramping may also
  be experienced by the sufferer. Since there may
  be a significant loss of fluids owing to
  diarrhoea or vomiting, one may also feel
  lightheaded or weak due to dehydration. One may
  also suffer from loss of appetite, dry mouth,
  nausea or fever. In severe cases, traces of blood
  may be present in stools.

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Treatments

• Complete blood test, blood culture, stool test
   and physical examination can help the doctors in
  formulating a diagnosis. The doctors may follow a
  symptomatic approach, and prescribe drugs to
  counter diarrhoea or vomiting. Analgesics may be
  prescribed if one is suffering from pain.
  Antibiotics would also be prescribed for killing
  the bacteria and also to prevent them from
  multiplying further. Since one may lose a lot of
  fluids, there is a need to compensate for the
  fluid loss. One must drink water at regular
  intervals. In case of severe dehydration, one may
  need to take an oral rehydration solution to
  replenish the body with electrolytes or necessary
  nutrients.Though one may suffer from a loss of
  appetite and may feel repulsed even at the sight
  of food, there is a need to gradually start
  having small amounts of easily digestible foods.
  It would be best to consult the doctor and follow
  the guidelines given by the gastroenterologist reg
  arding diet for gastroenteritis.

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Treatments
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• Even after one has recovered fully, one must
  refrain from consuming street food for a while.
  One must also pay attention to hygiene and handle
  food items and cook them after washing hands.
  Since poultry or other meats may be carriers of
  bacteria, make sure that you buy them from a
  place where they are stored and handled properly.
• This was some information on the symptoms of a
  bacterial infection in the stomach and the
  intestines. A person suffering from stomach flu
  is most likely to experience severe discomfort
  due to diarrhoea or vomiting. Since bacterial
  gastroenteritis can cause distressing symptoms,
  the wise thing to do would be to consult a
  gastroenterologist for getting this condition
  treated at the earliest.

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