GI Infections Flashcards
Gastroenteritis
inflammation of the stomach/intestine. Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, malaise, anorexia, myalgias, HA.
Viral Gastroenteritis treatment
oral re hydration with electrolytes and sugar. No role for antibiotics.
Viral Gastroenteritis etiologies
Rotavirus, enteric adenovirus, caliciviruses (norovirus).
Infant viral diarrhea
less than 2 years old. Transmission occurs even with good sanitation because caregiver can act as the reservoir. Usually rotavirus and enteric adenovirus.
Viral diarrhea outbreaks
Usually norovirus. Fecally contaminated food. Effects older children and adults.
Rotavirus
Endemic severe diarrhea of infants. Humans act as the reservoir.
“winter vomiting disease”
Rotavirus. Starts in the southwest (november) and spreads northeast until may.
Rotavirus Course length
5-7 days
Rotavirus symptoms
fever and vomiting.
Enteric Adenovirus
Endemic diarrhea of infants
Enteric Adenovirus Symptoms
Diarrhea, fever and vomiting
Enteric Adenovirus Course
Occurs anytime of year. Lasts 5-12 days.
Calicivirus (norovirus)
Epidemic of diarrhea/vomiting in older children and adults.
Calicivirus (norovirus) Course
Self-limited 24-48 hours.
Calicivirus (norovirus) associaiton
Food, especially shellfish. Can spread person-to-person (cruise ships).
Cholera Etiology
Vibrio Cholerae. Colonize the small intesine mucosa with no change in physical integrity. High dose pathogen.
Cholera description
Gram negative, bent rod, nonspore forming, facultative anaerobe, motile (polar flagellum).
Cholera symptoms
Acute. Watery diarrhea (rice water stools), muscle cramps, wrinkled skin (washerwoman’s hands), poor turgor, sunken eyes, missing peripheral pulses. Hypovolemic shock, metabolic acidosis and death.
Cholera toxin
Choleragen. Creates the watery diarrhea. Same toxin as enterotoxigenic E. coli.
O-1 Cholera
Classic epidemic cholera
O-139 Cholera
newly recognized in south asia. Can cause disease in those already immune to O-1.
Cholera treatment
Replace fluids and electrolytes. Antibiotics may shorten the course of the disease.
Cholera reservoir
Marine coastal areas and estuaries. Can then spread through contaminated drinking water and food (sushi, oysters).
Cholera vaccines
Shanchol and Dukoral