Gastroenteritis

Question 1

What causes gasroenteritis?

Answer 1

Ingesing certain bacteria, viruss and toxins is a common cause of diarrhoea & vomiting. Contaminated food and water are common sources, but often no specific cause is found.

Question 2

Which questions need to be asked about gastroenteritis?

Answer 2

Details of food and water taken
Cooking method
Time until onset of symptoms
Were fellow-diners affected

Question 3

What are common causes of gastroenteritis?

Answer 3

Staph. aureus –> Meat

Salmonella –> meat, eggs, poultry

C, Perfringens –> meat

C.botulinum –> Processed food

C. difficile –> antibiotic associated,

Vibrio cholerae –> water

Campylobacter –> Milk, poultry, water

Listeria –> cheese, pate

Question 4

What are the common symptoms of gastroenteritis?

Answer 4

Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Pain
Bloody diarrhoea (C. difficile)

Question 5

How do you test for gastroenteritis?

Answer 5

Stool microscopy/culture

Question 6

How do you manage gastroenteritis?

Answer 6

Maintain oral fluid intake
Anti-emetics e.g. proclorperazine
Anti-Diarrhoeals e.g. loperamide