Where does acute gastroenteritis come from?

Written by Li Ying
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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Acute gastroenteritis is primarily an acute inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa. It is mainly characterized by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, and is commonly seen in the summer and autumn seasons. It is primarily caused by improper diet, overeating, or consumption of raw, spoiled, or unclean food. The condition is mainly due to bacterial or toxin infection, often seen in group outbreaks or family clusters. It can be caused by the consumption of infected fish, meat, poultry, or seafood, or by leftovers contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, among others. Moreover, accidental ingestion of strong acids, strong alkalis, or certain pesticides can also cause this disease.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Symptoms of gastroenteritis and cold

Gastroenteritis and the common cold generally manifest as two types of symptoms in clinical settings. The first type includes symptoms caused by upper respiratory tract infections. The second type involves gastrointestinal symptoms. Common symptoms of upper gastrointestinal tract infections include fever, fatigue, dry cough, coughing, sore throat, runny nose, and itchy throat, etc., typically lasting about a week. These symptoms are usually nonspecific and similar to those of a typical upper respiratory tract infection. The second type of symptoms generally involves gastrointestinal issues, presenting as abdominal discomfort, bloating, leg pain, and abnormal stool. Clinically, abnormal stools are often looser and more frequent, but typically do not involve bloody stools. These symptoms are generally not severe and can be observed.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
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What to do if a child has gastroenteritis?

For children with gastroenteritis, we first treat the gut with probiotics, such as oral bifidobacterium or lactobacillus acidophilus. Then, we can provide gastrointestinal mucosal protectants, such as montmorillonite powder. At the same time, since gastroenteritis may cause dehydration and electrolyte disorders, it is necessary to replenish fluids and electrolytes, commonly using oral rehydration salts. If the gastroenteritis is suspected to be caused by a viral infection, some antiviral medications should be taken orally. If it is considered to be caused by a bacterial infection, oral antibiotics for anti-infection treatment, such as cephalosporins or penicillins, should be administered.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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How to reduce fever in acute gastroenteritis

Acute gastroenteritis generally manifests as fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If the fever does not exceed 38.5°C, antipyretic medications can be used, along with physical cooling methods such as wiping the patient's forehead, palms, and soles with a warm towel to facilitate heat dissipation through evaporation. If the fever exceeds 38.5°C, muscular injection of antipyretic drugs should be chosen, along with combined infusion therapy to prevent signs of physical collapse caused by high temperatures. At the same time, active use of antibiotics and antidiarrheal medications is advised. During treatment, a regular diet should be maintained, adopting the principle of eating small and frequent meals. Rest is important, and excessive fatigue should be avoided. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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How to stop diarrhea in acute gastroenteritis

First of all, start with diet and daily habits by paying attention to keeping warm and avoiding catching a cold, especially for patients with gastrointestinal-type colds. The diet should consist of light and easy-to-digest foods, such as porridge and soft noodles, with some salt added to replenish electrolytes. Avoid eating foods that are too cold or greasy and spicy. Regarding medication, different treatments should be adopted according to different causes of the disease. For patients with gastrointestinal-type colds caused by viral infections, antiviral and astringent antidiarrheal medications are generally used. If the infection is caused by improper diet, the main treatment involves anti-inflammatory medications to achieve hemostasis.

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What tests are done for chronic gastritis?

Chronic gastroenteritis is a chronic inflammation that occurs in the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. The basic pathological change is the infiltration of a large number of neutrophils or lymphocytes in the mucosa. Examinations mainly include endoscopy and routine stool tests. Gastroscope and colonoscopy can be used to assess the extent of mucosal lesions in the gastrointestinal tract, and routine stool tests can determine the presence of occult blood positivity. If there is blood in the stool, a routine blood test can also be conducted to check for chronic blood loss anemia. Based on the results of these examinations, the severity of the lesions can be understood, and appropriate medications can be actively chosen for symptomatic treatment.