6. Infective gastroenteritis Flashcards
1
Q
How common is it?
A
Very common
Most common cause of diarrhoea
2
Q
Who does it affect?
A
M=F
More severe in vulnerable patients
Outbreaks in close communities
3
Q
What causes it?
A
Rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus
Faecal-oral route
4
Q
What risk factors are there?
A
Antibiotic use, travel, occupational exposure
Vulnerable patients more at risk of severe infection
5
Q
How does it present?
A
Loose watery diarrhoea, N+V, fever, abdo pain
Symptoms last 1 week, improve after 1-3 days
6
Q
What signs might the patient have on examination?
A
Tachycardia + tachypnoea (fever + dehydration) Abdo tenderness (diffuse)
7
Q
What other conditions might present similarly?
A
Appendicitis, bowel obstruction, diverticulitis, cholecystitis, IBD Food poisoning (bacterial cause) Bacterial pneumonia
8
Q
How would you investigate?
A
Abdo exam
Assess dehydration
9
Q
What treatments are there?
A
Fluid therapy - rehydration
Antiemetics
