Gastroenteritis Flashcards
define gastroenteritis?
acute inflammation of the lining of the GI tract, manifested by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort
- catagorised into travellers diarrhoea and acute food poisoning
typical presentation and onset of escherichia coli?
- Common amongst travellers
- Watery stools
- Abdominal cramps and nausea
12-48 hr
typical presentation and onset of giardiasis?
Prolonged, non-bloody diarrhoea
> 7 days
typical presentation and onset of cholera?
- Profuse, watery diarrhoea
- Severe dehydration resulting in weight loss
- Not common amongst travellers
12 hours to 5 days
typical presentation and onset of shigella?
Bloody diarrhoea
Vomiting and abdominal pain
42-72 hours
typical presentation and onset of Staphylococcus aureus?
Severe vomiting
Short incubation period
1-6 hours
typical presentation and onset of Campylobacter?
A flu-like prodrome is usually followed by crampy abdominal pains, fever and diarrhoea which may be bloody
May mimic appendicitis
Complications include Guillain-Barre syndrome
42-72 hours
typical presentation and onset of Bacillus cereus?
Two types of illness are seen
• vomiting within 6 hours, stereotypically due to reheating rice
• diarrhoeal illness occurring after 6 hours
typical presentation and onset of amoebiasis?
Gradual onset bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain and tenderness which may last for several weeks
> 7 days
epidemiology of gastroenteritis?
its very common
cause of mortality in the developing world
presenting complaints of gastroenteritis?
- Sudden onset nausea, vomiting, anorexia
- DIARRHOEA (bloody or watery)
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Fever and malaise
signs of gastroenteritis on physical examination?
- Diffuse abdominal tenderness
- Abdominal distension
- Bowel sounds are often INCREASED
what might the bloods show?
• Bloods
- FBC
- blood culture (identify bacteraemia)
- U&Es (dehydration)
what might a stool sample show?
fecal microscopy and analysis for toxins
management for gastroenteritis?
- Bed rest
- Fluid and electrolyte replacement
- IV rehydration
- Antibiotic treatment