Is acute gastroenteritis contagious?
Acute gastroenteritis is generally considered a self-limiting disease that is not contagious. The course of the disease is about a week, after which patients will gradually recover. Most patients with acute gastroenteritis have a history of unhygienic dietary practices, and the condition is caused by viral or bacterial infections. From a symptomatic perspective, the most obvious reasons for seeking medical advice are abdominal discomfort or abnormal stools. Abdominal discomfort can manifest as abdominal pain and bloating, with paroxysmal colic being relatively common in clinical practice. Of course, some patients also experience nausea and vomiting, with the vomit consisting of gastric contents and not accompanied by hematemesis, among other symptoms. Abnormal stools are often characterized by diarrhea, typically with an increased frequency of bowel movements, watery in nature, and possibly accompanied by bloody stools. The treatment of acute gastroenteritis generally focuses on symptomatic relief, including the consumption of easily digestible and clean foods. Treatment may include the use of gastroprotective agents, antispasmodics, and modifiers of the intestinal flora. Of course, if the patient has significant diarrhea, antidiarrheal medications may be added for symptomatic treatment.