Gastroenteritis Flashcards
What is gastroenteritis?
Food poisioning - Caused by eating food contaminated with micro-organisms, toxins, parasites etc.
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis?
Diarrhoea
Abdominal Pain
Vomiting
Organisms with a short incubation period (1-6 hours)
Staph Aureus
Organisms with a moderate incubation period (12-48 hours)
Salmonella
Clostridium Perfringens
Organisms with a longer incubation period (2-14 days)
E.coli
Campylobacter
What is the incubation period of Campylobacter?
Usually 2-5 days
How is Campylobacter passed?
Carried in food
Describe the symptoms of Campylobacter
It is very invasive and presents as colitic syndrome
- RIF pain
- Bloody Diarrhoea
- Abdominal Pain
- Mimics Appendicits
What is the treatment for Campylobacter?
Supportive
Clarithromycin or Ciprofloxacin(Very ill, co-morbidities)
Complications of Campylobacter?
Guillan Barre Syndrome
Describe Guillan Barre Syndrome?
This starts out as tingling of peripheries
Progresses to paralysis
Describe what is seen on imaging Campylobacter infection?
Thumb Print Sign (as this is a colitic disease)
Describe Typhoid
This is always imported from areas such as Inidan, SE Asia, Africa
How is Typhoid contracted?
From food, water (Eg: Poorly washed salad)
Symptoms of Typhoid?
Fever
Systemically Unwell
Abdominal Pain
Constipation
Diagnosis of Typhoid?
Blood cultures are essential
Treatment of Typhoid?
Ciprofloxacin