Gastroenteritis Management

By March 22, 2018May 23rd, 2023gastroenteritis

Here is a video on gastroenteritis management:

Robina 7 Day Doctors and Acupuncture recommends this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=889sM42elrs

The symptoms of gastroenteritis can include:

  • loss of appetite
  • bloating
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • abdominal cramps
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhoea
  • bloody stools (poo) – in some cases
  • pus in the stools – in some cases
  • generally feeling unwell, including lethargy and body aches.
  • There are many things that can cause gastroenteritis, including:
    • viruses – such as norovirus, calicivirus, rotavirus, astrovirus and adenovirus
    • bacteria – such as the Campylobacter bacterium
    • parasites – such as Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium
    • bacterial toxins – the bacteria themselves don’t cause illness, but their poisonous by-products can contaminate food. Some strains of staphylococcal bacteria produce toxins that can cause gastroenteritis
  • Treatment depends on the cause, but may include:

    • plenty of fluids
    • oral rehydration drinks, available from your pharmacist
    • admission to hospital and intravenous fluid replacement, in severe cases
    • antibiotics, if bacteria are the cause
    • drugs to kill the parasites, if parasites are the cause
    • avoiding anti-vomiting or anti-diarrhoea drugs unless prescribed or recommended by your doctor, because these medications will keep the infection inside your body.

General suggestions on how to reduce the risk of gastroenteritis include:

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet or changing nappies, after smoking, after using a handkerchief or tissue, or after handling animals.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing food or eating.
  • Use disposable paper towels to dry your hands rather than cloth towels, since the bacteria can survive for some time on objects.
  • Do not handle raw and cooked foods with the same implements (tongs, knives, cutting boards), unless they have been thoroughly washed between uses.

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