Gastroenteritis

Question 1

Gastroenteritis or the “ Stomach flu”

Answer 1

Inflammation of the stomach and large intestine

Characterized by diarrhea and vomiting

Question 2

Acute onset of gastroenteritis includes

Answer 2

Watery diarrhea and abdominal colic and nausea and vomiting

Fever precedes vomiting

Question 3

Treatment of gastroenteritis

Answer 3

Usually self limiting
But supportive treatment is directed at loss of water and electrolytes
Fluids are replaced using Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)

Malntrition is a predisposing factor to severe dehydration

Question 4

Prevention of gastroenteritis

Answer 4

Hand washing between patients to prevent nosocomial infections
Good sanitary habits prevent food and water contamination

Question 5

Viruses that cause gastroenteritis

Answer 5

Rotavirus
Norovirus
Sapoviruses
Adenoviruses types 40 and 41
astroviruses