Gastroenteritis Flashcards
What is gastroenteritis?
Acute inflammation of the lining of the GI tract, manifested by N+V, diarrhoea + abdominal discomfort.
Give 3 epidemiological facts about gastroenteritis
COMMON
20% UK develop yearly
Serious cause of morbidity + mortality in developing world
What are 4 causes of gastroenteritis?
Viruses
Bacteria
Protozoa
Toxins in contaminated food or water (faecal-oral route)
List 3 viral causes of gastroenteritis
Rotavirus
Adenovirus
Norovirus
List 4 bacterial causes of gastroenteritis
Campylobacter jejuni
Escherichia coli (esp. O157)
Salmonella
Shigella
List 3 protazoal causes of gastroenteritis
Entamoeba histolytica
Cryptosporidium parvum
Giardia lamblia
List 3 sources of toxins that may cause gastroenteritis
Staphylococcus aureus
Clostridium perfringens
Bacillus cereus
List 3 commonly contaminated foods that may cause gastroenteritis
Improperly cooked meat
Old/ reheated rice
Eggs + poultry
List 3 risk factors for gastroenteritis
Poor personal hygiene + lack of sanitation
Immunosuppression
Achlorhydria
List 4 symptoms of gastroenteritis
N+V
DIARRHOEA (bloody or watery)
Abdominal pain/ discomfort
Fever + malaise
List 3 signs of gastroenteritis on examination
Diffuse abdominal tenderness
Abdominal distension
Bowel sounds are often INCREASED
What should you ask the patient about in suspected gastroenteritis?
Recent travel
Abx use
Recent food intake (how food was cooked, sourced + if anyone else is ill)
What is the difference in onset of symptoms between types of gastroenteritis?
Toxins = early (1-24 hours)
Bacterial/ viral/ protozoal = 12+ hours
List 4 signs seen in In SEVERE gastroenteritis
Pyrexia
Dehydration
Hypotension
Peripheral shutdown
What are the bloods tested in suspected gastroenteritis?
FBC
Blood culture (identify bacteraemia)
U+Es (dehydration)