Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines causing vomiting and diarrhea. It is highly contagious and extremely common, especially among children. Gastroenteritis generally lasts one to three days, but full recovery often takes a bit longer.
Viral or bacterial?
Gastroenteritis is normally caused by a virus. Two common viruses are the rotavirus and the adenovirus, which tend to strike very young children. Transmission occurs by oral-fecal route, meaning that they spread when contaminated fecal matter finds its way into food or water, or onto insects or people who later touch and contaminate food. Unfortunately, both of these viruses are tough enough to beat modern sanitation practices.
The Norwalk virus causes gastroenteritis in adults and older children. Unlike the other viruses, which cause epidemics during a specific time of year, this type of virus can strike at any time.
Gastroenteritis can also be caused by bacteria. For example, when a person eats contaminated food, the bacteria present can cause food poisoning, which in turn often leads to gastroenteritis.
Symptoms and complications
The symptoms of gastroenteritis are many and vary based on each particular case. Among them: soft, watery stool, vomiting, low-grade fever, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite and headaches. The known viruses tend to produce their first symptoms one to three days after contact. In young children, symptoms can last one to two weeks, depending on the type of virus, and can lead to dehydration. In such cases, it is important to see a doctor.
Prevention and treatment
Frequent hand washing is the best way to protect yourself from the Norwalk virus, because exposure, no matter how limited, can trigger the illness. Did you know that the virus can live for an extended period of time on objects, surfaces (sinks, toilets, door knobs, etc.) and food, sometimes even up to 12 days?
When a person contracts the virus, he or she should avoid going to work or school, since it is easily passed from one person to the next.
Gastroenteritis cannot be cured, but symptoms normally disappear within a few days. Dehydration is the most important problem to look out for, since when experiencing diarrhea, your body loses fluids and essential mineral salts. Adults can drink sport beverages, oral rehydration solutions and soft drinks. For children under the age of 5, doctors and pharmacists often recommend oral rehydration solutions. As soon as you start to feel better, you can consume bananas, broth, crackers, rice and oatmeal.