Viral gastroenteritis

Question 1

What is viral gastroenteritis

Answer 1

self-limiting condtion which lasts <14 days

person-person transmission is responsible for infection in most sporadic cases

Question 2

What virus is it mostly caused by

Answer 2

norovirus

Question 3

What is the presentation of someone with viral gastroenteritis

Answer 3

diarrhoea
nausea
vomitting
cramping abdominal pain
fever and malaise
volume depletion

Question 4

What are risk factors

Answer 4

exposure to contaminated food/water
contact with infected people

Question 5

What investigation are needed

Answer 5

clinical diagnosis
bloods before starting IV fluids

-FBC
anaemia may be sign of chronic cause
raised Hb can indicate severe dehydration

-U and Es
serious volume depletion can result in hypokalaemia or renal impairment

Stool culture if diarrhoea > 14 days , bloody , severe pain , foreign travel or suspicion of non-viral