Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 09, 2018 Dr Zulfikar Bux
By Dr Zulfikar Bux
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut with viruses, bacteria or other microbes. These infections irritate the gut, causing you to vomit and have diarrhea. While it is very uncomfortable, gastroenteritis is often self-limiting. However, it can be life-threatening, especially in children and the elderly, if early treatment is not initiated.
Today, we will shed some light on this common condition to help you effectively manage it if you are affected by it in the future.
WHAT ARE SOME SYMPTOMS OF GASTROENTERITIS?
The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are:
• sudden, watery diarrhea
• feeling sick
• vomiting, which can be projectile
• a mild fever
Some people also have other symptoms, such as a loss of appetite, an upset stomach, aching limbs and headaches. The symptoms usually appear up to a day after becoming infected. They typically last less than a week, but can sometimes last longer.
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE?
Seek medical advice in any of the following situations, or if any other symptoms occur that you are concerned about:
• If you suspect that you are becoming lacking in fluid in the body (dehydrated).
• If you are vomiting a lot and unable to keep fluids down.
• If you have blood in your diarrhea.
• If you have severe abdominal pain.
• If you have severe symptoms, or if you feel that your condition is getting worse.
• If you have a persisting high temperature (fever).
• If your symptoms are not settling – for example, vomiting for more than 1-2 days, or diarrhea that does not start to settle after 3-4 days.
• Infections caught abroad.
• If you are elderly or have an underlying health problem such as diabetes, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease or HIV infection.
• If you are pregnant.
• Children that are not tolerating the episode well
WHAT OPTIONS ARE THERE FOR TREATMENT OF GASTROENTERITIS?
Symptoms often settle within a few days or so, as your immune system usually clears the infection. Occasionally, admission to hospital is needed if symptoms are severe, or if complications develop.
The following are commonly advised until symptoms ease.
Fluids – have lots to drink
If you suspect that you are dehydrated, you should contact a doctor.
• As a rough guide, drink at least 200 mls after each bout of diarrhea. Children should drink to quench their thirst.
• This extra fluid is in addition to what you would normally drink. For example, an adult will normally drink about two liters a day but more in hot countries. The above advice of 200 mls after each bout of diarrhea is in addition to this usual amount that you would drink.
• If you vomited, wait 5-10 minutes and then start drinking again but more slowly. For example, a sip every 2-3 minutes but making sure that your total intake is as described above.
• You will need to drink even more if you are dehydrated. A doctor will advise on how much to drink if you are dehydrated.
For most adults, fluids drunk to keep hydrated should mainly be water. It is best not to have drinks that contain a lot of sugar as they can sometimes make diarrhea worse. Rehydration drinks are recommended for children, people who are frail, or over the age of 60, or who have underlying health problems. They are made from sachets that you can buy from pharmacies
EAT AS NORMALLY AS POSSIBLE
It used to be advised to not eat for a while if you had gastroenteritis. However, now it is advised to eat small, light meals if you can. Be guided by your appetite. You may not feel like food and most adults can do without food for a few days. Eat as soon as you are able – but don’t stop drinking. If you do feel like eating, avoid fatty, spicy or heavy food at first. Plain foods such as whole meal bread and rice are good foods to try eating first.
MEDICATION
Antidiarrheal medicines are not usually necessary. They only mask the problem and can make it worse. Avoid them and only use them if they were prescribed by a doctor. You can also use a pain or fever reducer such as paracetamol (panadol) or tylenolol. Most of the times the gastroenteritis is caused by a virus and you do not need antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if he/she thinks that it is caused by a bacterium. Do not self-prescribe antibiotics as you may be causing more harm than good.
CAN GASTROENTERITIS BE PREVENTED?
Proper storage, preparation and cooking of food and good hygiene help to prevent gastroenteritis.
In particular, always wash your hands:
• After you go to the toilet.
• Before you touch food.
• Between handling raw meat and food ready to be eaten. (There may be some germs on raw meat.)
• After gardening.
• After playing with pets.
The simple measure of washing hands regularly and properly is known to make a big difference to the chance of developing gastroenteritis.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
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