How is acute gastroenteritis caused?

Written by Li Ying
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Acute gastroenteritis primarily has two main causes. The first is infection by bacteria and toxins, with Salmonella and Vibrio parahaemolyticus being the most common infections, and staphylococcal toxins, especially from Staphylococcus aureus, being frequently seen. Viruses can also cause outbreaks, often occurring in groups or within families. Additionally, consuming contaminated meat from poultry, fish, or other livestock, as well as seafood like snails grown in the wild, can trigger the disease. Contaminated leftovers infected by Staphylococcus aureus can also induce illness. The second cause involves physical and chemical factors, such as eating cold foods, some antibiotics, or accidentally consuming strong acids, alkalis, or pesticides, all of which can lead to this disease.

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Written by Zhai Guo Dong
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How to alleviate gastroenteritis?

If the patient has gastroenteritis, we recommend that the patient should rest in bed as much as possible. For patients with mild conditions, we can advise oral intake of glucose and electrolytes to replenish the loss of body fluids. If there is persistent vomiting or evident dehydration, intravenous rehydration with glucose saline and other relevant electrolytes is necessary. We encourage the intake of light liquid or semi-liquid diet to prevent or treat mild dehydration. Additionally, injections of pain relievers, antispasmodic drugs, and antidiarrheal medications can be administered for symptomatic treatment. For infectious diarrhea, targeted antibiotics can be used, but it is advised to avoid their misuse.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Is gastroenteritis contagious?

Whether gastroenteritis is contagious depends on the cause of the inflammation. For example, if a person develops abdominal pain and diarrhea from getting cold, this type of gastroenteritis, caused by chilling, is not contagious, so it will not spread from person to person. However, if the gastroenteritis is caused by bacterial dysentery (commonly known as bacillary dysentery), it can be spread through food. Therefore, whether gastroenteritis is contagious depends on the infecting pathogen and the cause; it cannot be generalized.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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How to deal with acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis is primarily caused by unsanitary eating habits or exposure to cold, spicy, and other irritants, leading to acute inflammation. The main symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or fever, and a routine blood test may show elevated white blood cells and neutrophils. If these symptoms appear, it is advisable to visit a hospital promptly for a routine blood test. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, doctors will treat with anti-inflammatory fluids, antiemetics, antidiarrheals, etc. Generally, mild acute gastroenteritis can be cured within two to three days of treatment. However, some patients may experience severe vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration, electrolyte disorders, and even shock, which would extend the required treatment duration.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
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Can I eat bread with gastroenteritis?

People with gastroenteritis should try to eat less bread, as bread is a type of fermented flour-based food that can cause increased gas production and acid reflux when consumed in excess. Due to some damage in the intestinal function of individuals with gastroenteritis and the disruption of gastrointestinal digestive functions, it is advisable to choose soft, easily digestible foods such as rice soup and vegetable soup, eat more vegetables, and drink plenty of fluids. If diarrhea occurs, it is important to actively use medications that stabilize the intestines and stop diarrhea. Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which should be promptly treated with fluid replenishment.

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Written by Li Ying
Gastroenterology
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How to thoroughly treat acute gastroenteritis?

The main treatment methods for acute gastroenteritis are as follows. Firstly, the patient should rest in bed. If the patient has persistent vomiting, or shows signs of dehydration caused by vomiting, it is necessary to promptly rehydrate the patient. Regarding the diet, it is advisable for the patient to consume liquid or semi-liquid foods, such as porridge and rice soup, to prevent dehydration. Secondly, it is crucial to treat the symptoms. If the patient has uncontrollable vomiting, we can administer antiemetic medications to alleviate this symptom. Thirdly, in the case of antimicrobial treatment, common gastroenteritis may involve bacterial infections, which require antibiotics for targeted treatment of infectious diarrhea. However, it is important to avoid overuse or misuse of these antimicrobial drugs. Furthermore, attention must be paid to dietary habits. It is essential to wash hands before meals and after using the toilet, and to properly disinfect raw vegetables, fruits, and meats, which should be thoroughly cooked before consumption, to effectively prevent the occurrence of gastroenteritis.