Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis Latest News

A recent study on the impact of the indigenous rotavirus vaccine in India found marked reductions in rotavirus-based gastroenteritis in sites across the country.

About Gastroenteritis

• Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines. 
• It is usually not serious in healthy people, but it can sometimes lead to dehydration or cause severe symptoms.
• What causes gastroenteritis? There can be many different causes of gastroenteritis:
  • Viruses
  • Bacteria
  • Parasites
  • Chemicals
  • Reactions to certain medicines and food
• Viral gastroenteritis is the most common type. It can be caused by many different viruses, including noroviruses and rotaviruses.
• When gastroenteritis is caused by consuming foods or drinks contaminated with viruses, bacteria, parasites, or chemicals, this is called food poisoning.
• The viruses, bacteria, and parasites that cause gastroenteritis can also spread from person to person.
• The symptoms of gastroenteritis include:
  • Diarrhea
  • Pain or cramping in your abdomen (belly)
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Sometimes fever
• Treatment:
  • Usually, people with gastroenteritis get better on their own, with rest and plenty of fluids and electrolytes.
  • Your provider may suggest that you take a probiotic. 
  • Studies suggest that some probiotics may help shorten a case of diarrhea.
  • People with more severe symptoms may need medicines to control nausea or vomiting. 
  • Providers may also give other medicines for certain types of gastroenteritis, such as antibiotics for some bacterial types and antiparasitic medicines for some parasitic types.

Source: TH  

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