acute GI illness

Question 1

signs and symptoms of acute GI illness

Answer 1

• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhoea = acute, watery, bloody, (>6 days severe)
• abdominal pain
• fever

Question 2

giardia lamblia

• colonisation
• incubation period
• symptoms
• tx

Answer 2

• protozoa
• colonises in SI
• often from contaminated water (and food)
  by human/animal faeces
• incubation period 1 week
• symptoms may last 4-6 weeks
• symptoms = diarrhoea, gas, foul smelling stools, abdominal cramps
• mostly self limiting but antimicrobial may be needed

Question 3

3 ways bacteria can cause acute GI illness

Answer 3

• colonisation of intestines and production of toxins
• colonisation of intestines and invasion of intestinal tissue
• toxins produced in food and ingested, no infection
  (e. g. food poisoning)

Question 4

viral

• pathogens
• onset
• symptoms
• colonisation
• Tx

Answer 4

norovirus, rotovirus

• fast onset
• watery diarrhoea, nausea and VOMITING, abdominal cramps, muscle aches, low fever, headache
• add by colonising small intestines
• generally self limiting (over by 48hours)
• supportive treatment with fluid replacement

can’t grow on agar

Question 5

risk factors

Answer 5

• consume food from retail premises
• consume ‘at risk’ produce, untreated water
• contact with farm animals, sick animals, feacel matter, symptomatic people
• overseas travel with incubation period

Question 6

transmission

Answer 6

• found in animal or human GI
• spread by contact with animals, infected people, contaminated food and water
• faecel/oral route

Question 7

diagnostic test

Answer 7

• stool culture

- toxin test using antibodies, PCR of toxin genes

Question 8

complications of AGI

Answer 8

• dehydration
• bacteraemia
• haemolytic uraemia syndrome
• reactive arthritis

Question 9

treatment

Answer 9

symptomatic
 - fluid and electrolyte replacement
 - easily digestible food
 - anti motility drugs
     reduce stool rate, but conc toxins

Question 10

microbial cause: antibiotics?

Answer 10

• usually not required

Question 11

prevention

Answer 11

• vaccination e.g. rotovirus
• sanitation, hygiene
• effective cooking
• food safety regulations for retail food outlets
• avoid risk food, drinking water

Question 12

bacteria associated with food poisoning

Answer 12

• S. aureus

- clostridium perfringens