Gastroenteritis

Question 1

What is gastroenteritis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically the stomach and intestines, typically caused by infection.

Question 2

What can the types of infection be?

Answer 2

Viral:
- water or food
- norovirus = leading cause of viral gast. in adults
- rotavirus = commonly affects infants and young children

Bacterial:
- salmonella = associated with contaminated food like poultry and eggs
- e-coli = Certain strains - especially undercooked meat or contaminated produce

Parasitic:
- giardia = often transmitted via contaminated water and leads to prolonged gastro.
- cryptosporidium = waterborne parasite that causes gastro. especially in immunocompromised individuals

Question 3

What are the symptoms for Gastroenteritis

Answer 3

Diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, dehydration

Question 4

Is gastro acute or chronic?

Answer 4

Most commonly acute - 72 hours
Can be chronic

Question 5

How does the infection reach the GI tract?

Answer 5

The pathogens enter the digestive tract through the mouth and pass into the stomach and intestines.

Question 6

Once pathogens are in the GI tract, what do they invade?

Answer 6

Pathogens invade the mucosal lining of the stomach or intestines, triggering an immune response.

Question 7

In relation to viruses, what do they infect and damage? What happens when it is damaged?

Answer 7

They infect and damage the intestinal villi.

Reduces the surface area available for nutrient absorption. Causes malabsorption and leads to diarrhoea.

Question 8

In relation to Bacteria, what damage does it cause?

Answer 8

• Produce toxins that damage the intestinal lining and interfere with water and electrolyte absorption
• Others may directly invade the epithelial cells of the intestines, causing inflammation, cell death and leading to the release of immune mediators.

Question 9

How does the body respond to infection?

Answer 9

• Responds to infection by releasing cytokines and other immune mediators that cause inflammation.
• Inflammation leads to increased fluid secretion in the intestines - diarrhoea
• Irritation of the stomach and intestines also lead to nausea and vomiting
• Impairs normal reabsorption of water and electrolytes, further worsening diarrhoea and contributing to dehydration

Question 10

What does excessive diarrhoea and vomiting result in?

Answer 10

Results in a significant loss of water and electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride)

Question 11

What can severe cases of electrolyte imbalances lead to?

Answer 11

• Hypovolemia (low blood volume)
• Shock
• Organ failure

Question 12

What is the Treatment and Management of Gastroenteritis?

Answer 12

Rehydration: oral rehydration solutions to replace lost fluids and electrolytes
Antibiotics: Bacterial gastro.
Antivirals: rarely used
Symptomatic relief: Antiemetics (for vomiting) or antidiarrhea (avoided in bacterial infections due to risk of worsening infection)l medications