Content
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestine that can be caused by viruses or bacteria, being called viral gastroenteritis or bacterial gastroenteritis, respectively, and which usually results from eating contaminated food, although they can also be a side effect of using some medications, such as antibiotics.
The classic symptoms of gastroenteritis are diarrhea, with or without blood, and vomiting, which can cause a great loss of fluids. For this reason, one of the most important precautions during treatment is increased fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
In addition, it is also recommended to follow a diet suitable for gastroenteritis, which contains less fiber and which helps the gastrointestinal system to rest and recover.
Main symptoms
If you think you may have gastroenteritis, select what you are feeling to know your risk:
- 1. Constant diarrhea No Yes
- 2. Bloody stools No Yes
- 3. Abdominal pain or frequent cramps No Yes
- 4. Nausea and vomiting No Yes
- 5. General malaise and tiredness No Yes
- 6. Fever below 38º C No Yes
- 7. Loss of appetite No Yes
Despite being more frequent in children, the elderly or people with weakened immune systems, gastroenteritis can happen to anyone, since viruses and bacteria can be easily transmitted when there is poor hygiene, reaching the mouth through hands or food contaminated.
How long the symptoms last
Most cases of gastroenteritis by virus improve after 3 or 4 days, without the need for specific treatment, being just careful to eat a light diet, drink plenty of fluids and rest.
Bacterial gastroenteritis cases take longer and may even need antibiotics to improve symptoms.
Main causes of gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is more common in children and the elderly due to eating food contaminated with:
- Virus: which is the most frequent cause of gastroenteritis, which can be Rotavirus, Adenovirus or Norovirus;
- Bacteria: how Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Campylobacter sp., and Escherichia coli;
- Parasites: how Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli and Ascaris lumbricoides.
In addition, gastroenteritis can also be caused by chemical toxins or medications, but it is more rare to happen.
Learn more about viral gastroenteritis.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of gastroenteritis involves a lot of rest and replacement of fluids with oral rehydration salts or homemade serum, water and coconut water. Watch the video and see how to prepare homemade serum:
Most cases of gastroenteritis get better at home, without having to go to the hospital for specific treatment. However, in people with weakened immune systems or when gastroenteritis is being caused by a more resistant bacteria, it may be necessary to start an antibiotic or even stay in the hospital to replace the fluids lost with vomiting and diarrhea.
Food should be light and easy to digest to provide the necessary nutrients, without causing vomiting or diarrhea. It is important to avoid fried foods, coffee and high fiber foods such as bread, papaya or seeds, to relieve the symptoms of gastroenteritis and improve inflammation of the digestive system. Find out more details about the gastroenteritis diet.
The consumption of drugs to stop vomiting and diarrhea should only be done with the recommendation of the gastroenterologist, as this can cause the infection to worsen. However, probiotic supplements can be used to regulate bacterial flora, especially after recovering from gastroenteritis.
How to prevent
To avoid infection and, consequently, the development of gastroenteritis it is important to wash your hands well after using the bathroom or before cooking, avoid sharing cutlery and other objects with sick people, keeping surfaces clean at home, especially in the kitchen, avoiding eat raw meat and fish or unwashed vegetables.
In addition, children also have a high risk of getting gastroenteritis through infection with a virus known as rotavirus. In such cases, it is recommended to vaccinate against the virus, which can usually be done during the first year of life. Know when to get the rotavirus vaccine.