Infectious Causes Diarrhoea Flashcards
Describe the 4 leading viral causes of diarrhoea. What are their symptoms and characteristics?
Rotavirus: Infects most children 6-24/12, 40% of severe AD, winter months temperate climes, perennial tropics, shed in stool and via fomites // highly contagious.
Norovirus: Common cause of outbreaks in closed communities esp school hosp etc., highly contagious via p2p, contaminated food, vomit.
Astroviruses: Sporadic AD, winter months, common in institutions, may be shed in stool for several weeks, esp. in immunocompromised children.
Enteric virus: AD perennially in younger children.
Campylobacter: where found, transmission, what does it cause?
Present in GIT of birds and animals.
Transmission by contaminated water, poultry, unpasteurised milk, p2p
Faecal shedding persists 2-3/52
2nd most common cause of traveller’s AD, after ETEC (enterotoxigenic E. coli)
