Viral infections of the GIT (1): Viral gastroenteritis Flashcards
What is gastroenteritis?
inflammation of GI tract
What are causes of gastroenteritis
viral, bacterial, parasitic, non-infective
How does viral gastroenteritis present?
Presents with watery diarrhoea, cramping/ abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, sometimes low grade fever
What is the treatment of viral gasoenteritis?
No specific treatment
Self-limiting short illness in most people
When does gastroenteritis lead to death? How is death prevented?
death related to dehydration- supportive care centres around rehydration
What is the prevention of viral gastroenteritis?
Prevention achieved by improved sanitation/ infrastructure, behavioural change/ infection control. vaccination (rotavirus)
How is diarrhoea defined?
Diarrhoea is defined as the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day (or more frequent passage than is normal for the individual),
Is pooing alot diarrhoea?
No Stools must be loose
What are the types of diarrhoea?
Acute watery
Acute bloody
Persistent
How long does acute watery diarrhoea last?
Several hours or days
How long does persistent diarrhoea last?
Lasts 14 days or longer
What is diarrhoea a symptom of?
Diarrhoea is usually a symptom of an infection in the intestinal tract, which can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms.
Viruses that cause viral gastroenteritis?
Rotavirus
Calicivirus- norovirus and Sapovirus
Adenovirus
Astrovirus
How is gastroenteritis transmitted?
Faecal-oral spread
Direct person to person
Contaminated food/ water (direct application/ or at source-
oysters)
Healthcare via hand transfer/oral care, environmental
contamination
Droplet spread via vomiting and ?aerosolisation
What are the natural defences of the GI tract?
Lysozyme in saliva (glycoside hydrolase)
Gastric acid pH 2
Mucus in GI tract traps microbes
Bile salts - duodenum, disrupt some cell surfaces
Normal flora - modify environment with metabolites, nutrient competition, natural antibiotics
Mucosal immunity- cell-mediated immunity and secretory IgA (also in breast milk)
Motility- vomiting and diarrhoea probably important in clearing pathogens
