Viral Gastroenteritis Flashcards
Through what process do viruses cause diarrhoea?
Through direct invasion.
Describe norovirus
- incubation periods
- symptoms
- diagnosis
- transmission
Incubation: Within 24 hours of exposure
Symptoms: Diarrhoea and vomiting, abdominal pain, myalgia, headache.
Diagnosis: Electron microscopy, antigen or DNA detection (PCR) in stool.
Transmission: Faecal-oral route.
Describe rotavirus
- incubation periods
- symptoms
- transmission
Incubation: 24-48hours
Symptoms: Severe diarrhoea + vomiting. Dehydration. Low grade fever also common.
Transmission: Faecal - oral route
Note: Mainly affects children.
What are indications of rotavirus?
Not having a completed vaccination schedule.
Affects children much more severely than their parents.
Sometimes travel related.
Describe astrovirus
- incubation periods
- symptoms
Incubation: Days
Symptoms: Diarrhoea and vomiting.
Note: Common to have outbreaks in nursing homes, affects most commonly children and the elderly.
How is viral gastroenteritis generally diagnosed?
PCR of stool sample.
What is the general management for viral gastroenteritis?
Isolate + rehydrate.
Must be 48hours free of symptoms before returning to work - especially if you work with food / in healthcare.
Case Study - Identify the virus causing the condition:
A 9-month old boy presents to A&E with severe
diarrhoea and dehydration. His parents have
had similar but milder symptoms over the last
week. He did not complete his 2-4 month full
vaccination schedule due to being on holiday.
Rotavirus
- parents have had milder symptoms - has not completed his vaccination schedule and has just been on holiday.
Case Study - Identify the virus causing the condition:
A 75 year-old hospital inpatient develops acute
kidney injury in a hospital bay after developing
sudden-onset of diarrhoea and vomiting which
lasts 24 hours. 2 other patients in the bay have
had the same symptoms in the last 3 days.
Norovirus
- infectious, hospital in patient and sudden onset.
Gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus is most commonly caused by what strain?
Group A strains
How is rotavirus transmitted?
The faecal oral route.
(4 F’s - fluid, fields, flies, fingers).
How does rotavirus affect digestion?
Decreases activity of digestive enzymes.
Also produces protein NSP-4 which damages villi by inducing apoptosis of mature enterocytes.
Note: Rotavirus mainly affects the
What are the complications of rotavirus?
Severe dehydration
Temporary lactose intolerance
Seizures from the presence of rotavirus in CSF.
How is rotavirus diagnosed?
Testing stool samples with ELISA / PCR
What is the treatment for rotavirus?
Oral rehydration
IV fluids
