Gastroenteritis

Question 1

What is gastroenteritis

Answer 1

Inflammation of stomach/small intestine often caused by infections

Question 2

Symptoms of gastroenteritis

Answer 2

diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and dehydration

Question 3

Pathophysiology: pathogen entry

Answer 3

ingestion of contaminated food/water

viruses: norovirus, rotavirus
bacteria: salmonella, E coli
parasites

Question 4

Pathophysiology: gut lining disruption

Answer 4

Pathogens invade mucosa = immune response

viral infection damages villi = decreased surface area = malabsorption = diarrhea

Question 5

Pathophysiology: bacterial damage

Answer 5

production of toxins = damage to epithelial cells = inflammation, cell death, fluid secretion

Question 6

Pathophysiology: inflammatory response

Answer 6

cytokine release increases intestinal fluid secretion

= nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Question 7

Pathophysiology: fluid and electrolyte loss

Answer 7

excessive diarrhea/vomiting = dehydration and electrolyte imbalance = hypovolaemia, shock and organ failure

Question 8

Treatment and management of gastroenteritis

Answer 8

rehydration, antibiotics/antivirals & antiemetics