Infectious Diarrhea and C. diff Flashcards
Patho of acute/watery diarrhea
Altered intestinal motility leads to less reabsorption of water and premature emptying of the colon
Causative pathogens of acute/watery diarrhea
E. coli, rotavirus, V. cholerae
Patho of dysentery
Altered ion transport where the normal ionic contents and osmolality is equal to the plasma
Causative pathogens of dysentery
Shigella, salmonella, campylobacter, clostridium
Causative pathogens of traveler’s diarrhea
E. coli, shigella, giardia, salmonella, viral causes
Causative pathogens of acute viral gastroenteritis
Rotavirus, norovirus, parvovirus, adenovirus
Causative pathogens of food poisoning
Staph, campylobacter, shigella, salmonella, clostridium
Prevention of acute viral gastroenteritis
Wash hands, fruits, and vegetables; cook meat to recommended temperatures
Treatment of food poisoning
Supportive care; can use antimotility agents in some patients
Signs of acute/watery diarrhea
<10 episodes a day
Risk of severe dehydration
FOBT +
Treatment of acute/watery diarrhea
Diarrhea stops with fasting
Signs of persistent/dysentery diarrhea
> 10 episodes/day
FOBT+
Mild dehydration
Possible fevers
Signs of traveler’s diarrhea
Travel followed by sudden onset watery diarrhea
Malaise, anorexia, abdominal cramps -> sudden, onset watery diarrhea
Signs of enterotoxic E. coli
Diarrhea and abdominal cramping
No blood or pus in stool
What is produced in enterotoxic E. coli?
Heat-labile and heat-stable toxins
Treatment for traveler’s diarrhea: initial management
Symptomatic control and source control
Loperamide PRN x2 days
Treatment for traveler’s diarrhea: high risk individuals
Bactrim x1-3 days
Enterotoxic E. coli treatment
Ciprofloxacin x1-3 days
Rifaximin or azithro x1-3 days