Viral gastroenteritis

• How is gastroenteritis managed medically?


  Rehydration

  Electrolyte supplementation

  Anti-nausea (odansentron)
• What are some investigations for gastroenteritis?


  Stool microscopy

  Culture

  Viral PCR
• What are some risk factors for gastroenteritis?


  <5 years

  Winter

  Poverty

  Nursery

  Lack of immunisations

  Bottle fed
• What are some signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis?


  Vomiting

  Nausea

  Diarrhoea

  Myalgia

  Headache

  Low grade fever

  Hyperactive bowel sounds
• When do gastroenteritis symptoms occur?


  15-50 hours after infection
• When do gastroenteritis symptoms resolve?


  Within 72 hours of onset
• How can gastroenteritis be prevented?


  Quarantine infected people

  Wash hands with soap and water
• How does a virus cause gastroenteritis?


  Virus enters cell via host receptor mediated endocytosis -> replicates in small intestine
• How is gastroenteritis transmitted?


  Direct contact with host or contact with contaminated food
• What route is gastroenteritis transmitted?

  Faecal-oral
• How does faecal oral transmission occur?


  Aerolisation of virus when host vomits/flushes toilet -> particles transmitted directly onto potential host or surfaces
• Which gastroenteritis is more commin in under 5s?


  Rotavirus
• How can you tell if gastroenteritis is caused by salmonella/E. coli?


  Longer incubation period
• What symptoms are seen in salmonella gastroenteritis?


  High fever
• What symptoms are seen in E. coli gastroenteritis?


  Severe abdo cramping

  Bloody diarrhoea