Gastroenteritis

Question 1

What is gastroenteritis?

Answer 1

Umbrella term for the inflammation of the stomach/small intestine - also known as a stomach bug

Question 2

What are some symptoms of gastroenteritis?

Answer 2

Diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, dehydration

Question 3

How do we get gastroenteritis?

Answer 3

Typically starts by ingesting contaminated food or water containing viruses, bacteria or parasites, these pathogens enter the digestive tract through the mouth and pass into the stomach and intestines. These pathogens then invade the mucosal lining of the stomach/intestines triggering an immune response. The body responds by releases cytokines and other immune mediators that cause inflammation - this inflammation leads to increased fluid secretion into the intestines which causes diarrhoea and therefore dehydration

Question 4

What do stomach viruses do?

Answer 4

viruses such as norovirus or rotavirus infect and damage the intestinal villi - this reduces the surface area available for nutrient absorption causing malabsorption and diarrhoea

Question 5

What do bacterial infections do?

Answer 5

bacteria such as E.coli and salmonella 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 6

What are the treatments for gastroenteritis?

Answer 6

Rehydration, antibiotics, antivirals, antiemetics for vomiting, antidiarrheal meds for diarrhoea