gastroenteritis

Question 1

what is gastroenteritis?

Answer 1

gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically the stomach and intestines, which is caused by an infection. this may be a viral, bacterial, or parasitic.

Question 2

what happens to the gut lining due to gastroenteritis?

Answer 2

once the bacteria or virus enter the gastrointestinal tract, the pathogens invade the mucosal lining(epithelial cells) of the stomach or intestines, triggering and immune response.

Question 3

what do viruses like norovirus or rotavirus do to in gastroenteritis?

Answer 3

virus like norovirus and rotavirus infect and damage the intestinal villi, reducing the surface area available for nutrient absorption, this causes malabsorption and leads to diarrhea.

Question 4

what do bacterial like E. coli and salmonella do in gastroenteritis?

Answer 4

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 medicators.

Question 5

what is the inflammatory response in gastroenteritis?

Answer 5

they body releases cytokines in response to the infection and other immune mediators that cause inflammation. this inflammation leads to increase fluid secretion into the intestines, which cause diarrhea. the irritation of the stomach and intestines can also lead to nausea and vomiting, the inflammation also impairs the normal absorption of water and electrolytes, further worsening diarrhea and contributing to dehydration.

Question 6

how can fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance affect the body in gastroenteritis?

Answer 6

excessive diarrhea and vomiting results in significant loss of water and electrolyte’s like sodium, potassium and chloride. which can weaken the immune system, in severe cases of electrolyte imbalances it can lead to hypovolemia, shock and organ failure if not treated.

Question 7

which virus commonly affects adults and which affects children( norovirus, rotavirus) ?

Answer 7

• norovirus: adults
  -rotavirus: commonly affect’s infants and young children

Question 8

how are the parasites giardia and cryptosporidium transmitted?

Answer 8

-giardia is often transmitted via contaminated water and leads to prolonged gastroenteritis
-cryptosporidium is a waterborne parasite that causes gastroenteritis especially in immunocompromised individuals

Question 9

what are symptoms of gastroenteritis?

Answer 9

-diarrhea
-vomiting
-abdo pain and cramps
-fever
-dehydration
-nausea

Question 10

what are some treatment options for gastroenteritis?

Answer 10

-Rehydration
-Antibiotics
-Antivirals