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Gastroenteritis

Introduction

Gastroenteritis (colloquially known by many names, including gastric flu, “gastro”, vomiting and diarrhoea, “food poisoning”, “the squits”is a very common presentation to general practice and emergency departments, in people of all ages, but especially in children, or families with young children.

Gastroenteritis is a broad term, but usually used to refer to an infective illness which causes diarrhoea, vomiting and often abdominal pain. The majority of cases are viral, and a smaller percentage are true “food poisoning” (usually bacterial, occasionally parasitic) related to improper preparation or storage of food.

It typically occurs in outbreaks in winter (often rotavirus or norovirus – “winter vomiting virus”), and may cause hospital wards to be shut down during an outbreak.

In most patients with vomiting and diarrhoea together, gastroenteritis should be considered as the most likely diagnosis. In patients with vomiting only, or diarrhoea only, particularly in the presence of fever or abdominal pain, caution should be applied and a careful history and examination undertaken to look for other – often more serious – causes. In children in particular, vomiting alone can be a sign of a more serious underlying illness.

The cause is not usually identified – and most cases are self limiting and resolve in a few days. The treatment does not usually depend on the cause, and typically consists of managing nausea and vomiting and encouraging oral fluid intake. Severe cases of dehydration may require hospital admission for IV fluid administration.

In developing countries, gastroenteritis is a leading cause of death.

Epidemiology & Aetiology

Causes

Viral causes are by far the most common. In the UK, norovirus – the “winter vomiting virus” is renowned for causing outbreaks on hospital wards

Common organisms include:

Presentation

Examination

Differential diagnoses

Almost anything that causes diarrhoea or vomiting can be considered as a differential diagnosis, and hence the potential list is extremely long. Below are some common examples

Investigations

Stool MC+S is not routinely performed, but should be considered if:

In patients who are severely unwell – e.g. severe dehydration, consider:

Management

Indications for hospital admission

Outpatient Management

Complications

References

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