7. GI Infections Flashcards
Causes of GI infections (3)
Bacteria
Viruses
Protozoa
Diagnosis of H. pylori-associated GI infections (3)
Endoscopy and biopsy
Breath test
Serology
H. pylori treatment (3)
PPIs
Bismuth salts
Antibiotics (combo)
Definition of gastroenteritis
Non-specific term for various pathologic states of the GIT
Manifestation of gastroenteritis (2)
Diarrhoea (primary)
May be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Symptoms of viral gastroenteritis (6)
Abdominal cramps Vomiting Profuse watery stools Myalgia Fever Headaches
Symptoms of bacterial dysentery gastroenteritis (5)
Small volume stools Fever Tenesmus Blood mucoid stools Suprapubic pain
Definition of invasive infection
When the organism enters the mucosal cells, destroys them, causing diarrhoea usually with blood in the stool
Definition of enterotoxin syndromes
Organisms do not invade the mucosa, but produce enterotoxins which act as chemical mediators causing hypersecretion of fluid
Little tissue damage occurs
What is norovirus
Non-enveloped single stranded RNA virus
Norovirus transmission
Faecal-oral route
Incubation period of norovirus
1-2 days
Clinical presentation of norovirus (3)
Abrupt onset of vomiting, watery diarrhoea
Fever (hot/cold)
Abdominal pain
Norovirus management (2)
Self-limitng
Correct fluid/electrolyte balance
Types of salmonella (3)
Gastroenteritis
Enteric fever (typhoid fever)
Bacteraemia
Salmonella incubation period
8-48 hours
Symptoms of salmonella (4)
Generally asymptomatic
Cramps
Water/bloody diarrhoea
Fever, sometimes with vomiting
Salmonella diagnosis
Stool samples
Salmonella treatment
Supportive (IV hydration)
C. diff microbiology (2) - type of organism
Gram positive spore forming bacillus
Obligate anaerobe
C. diff transmission (2)
Faecal-oral route
Person-to-person contact in hospitals
C. diff clinical manifestations
CDI
CDI symptoms (5)
Median time between exposure to onset of symptoms is 2-3 days Watery diarrhoea Loss of appetitie Fever Nausea Abdominal pain and cramping
CDI risk factors (8)
Exposure to antimicrobials/healthcare (past 2-3 months)
Infection with toxigenic strains of C. diff
>64yrs old
Underlying illness
Immunosuppression (HIV)
Chemotherapy
Tube feds and GI surgery
Exposure to gastric acid suppression medications
C. diff treatment (5)
Oral rehydration Antibiotics Probiotics Colectomy Faecal transplants
Preventing GI infections (3)
Safe food handling and handwashing
Infection control protocols
Surveillance
