Gastroenteritis

Question 1

Viral Gastroenteritis

Causes

Answer 1

Rotavirus
Norovirus
Adenovirus is a less common cause and presents with a more subacute diarrhoea

Question 2

E. Coli

Transmission

Strains

Management

Answer 2

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a normal intestinal bacteria. Only certain strains cause gastroenteritis.

It is spread through contact with infected faeces, unwashed salads or water.

E. coli 0157 produces the Shiga toxin. This causes abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. The Shiga toxin destroys blood cells and leads to haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS).

The use of antibiotics increases the risk of haemolytic uraemic syndrome therefore antibiotics should be avoided if E. coli gastroenteritis is considered.

Question 3

Drug causes of diarrhoea

Answer 3

Metformin

C diff antibiotics

Question 4

Campylobacter jejuni

Transmission

Incubation

Clinical Features

Management

Answer 4

It is apparently the most common cause of diarrhoea (idk if i believe that)

TRANSMISSION
Raw or improperly cooked poultry
Untreated water
Unpasteurised milk

Incubation is usually 2-5 days. Symptoms resolve after 3-6 days.

CLINICAL FEATURES:
Abdominal cramps
Diarrhoea often with BLOOD
Vomiting
Fever

MANAGEMENT

• Antibiotics can be considered after isolating the organism where patients have severe symptoms or other risk factors such as HIV or heart failure.
• Popular antibiotic choices are azithromycin/ erythromycin or ciprofloxacin.