Infectious Diarrhoea

Question 1

what is gastro-enteritis

Answer 1

more than 3 stools in 24 hours plus a fever, vomitting, pain and blood

Question 2

causes of gastro-enteritis

Answer 2

poor storage of food
food contamination
person to person contact-norovirus
travel related infection-salmonella

Question 3

what are defences against enteric infections

Answer 3

hand washing
stomach acidity
gut flora
immunity

Question 4

clinical features of non-inflammatory diarrhoea

Answer 4

frequently watery stools
little abdominal pain
caused by cholera or e.coli

Question 5

clinical features of inflammatory diarrhoea

Answer 5

pain
fever
bacterial infection only

Question 6

investigations of diarrhoea

Answer 6

risk of food poisoning-diet, travel
asses hydradtion- skin turgor, postural BP
features of inflammation -WCC, fever
abdominal x ray
stool culture blood count

Question 7

what is the treatment of gastro-enteritis

Answer 7

oral rehydration with salt/sugar solution

IV saline

Question 8

descibe features of salmonella infection

Answer 8

usually <48 hours after

antibiotic treatment

Question 9

describe features of campylobacter infections

Answer 9

incubation up to 7 days
cattle reservoir
severe abdo/colic pain

Question 10

describe features of e.coli infection

Answer 10

frequent bloody stools
toxin can cause hemolytic-uraemic (HUS) syndrome
no antibiotics

Question 11

what causes antibiotic associated diarrhoea

Answer 11

c-difficile
metronidazole (up to 6% resistant, poor stool concn.)
vancomycin (cost and drug resistance in gut flora)
teicoplanin/fusidic acid/ cholestyramine
surgery