Gastroenteritis

Question 1

define gastroenteritis?

Answer 1

acute inflammation of the lining of the GI tract, manifested by nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort

• catagorised into travellers diarrhoea and acute food poisoning

Question 2

typical presentation and onset of escherichia coli?

Answer 2

• Common amongst travellers
• Watery stools
• Abdominal cramps and nausea
  12-48 hr

Question 3

typical presentation and onset of giardiasis?

Answer 3

Prolonged, non-bloody diarrhoea

> 7 days

Question 4

typical presentation and onset of cholera?

Answer 4

• Profuse, watery diarrhoea
• Severe dehydration resulting in weight loss
• Not common amongst travellers
  12 hours to 5 days

Question 5

typical presentation and onset of shigella?

Answer 5

Bloody diarrhoea
Vomiting and abdominal pain
42-72 hours

Question 6

typical presentation and onset of Staphylococcus aureus?

Answer 6

Severe vomiting
Short incubation period

1-6 hours

Question 7

typical presentation and onset of Campylobacter?

Answer 7

A flu-like prodrome is usually followed by crampy abdominal pains, fever and diarrhoea which may be bloody
May mimic appendicitis
Complications include Guillain-Barre syndrome

42-72 hours

Question 8

typical presentation and onset of Bacillus cereus?

Answer 8

Two types of illness are seen
• vomiting within 6 hours, stereotypically due to reheating rice
• diarrhoeal illness occurring after 6 hours

Question 9

typical presentation and onset of amoebiasis?

Answer 9

Gradual onset bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain and tenderness which may last for several weeks

> 7 days

Question 10

epidemiology of gastroenteritis?

Answer 10

its very common

cause of mortality in the developing world

Question 11

presenting complaints of gastroenteritis?

Answer 11

• Sudden onset nausea, vomiting, anorexia
• DIARRHOEA (bloody or watery)
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Fever and malaise

Question 12

signs of gastroenteritis on physical examination?

Answer 12

• Diffuse abdominal tenderness
• Abdominal distension
• Bowel sounds are often INCREASED

Question 13

what might the bloods show?

Answer 13

• Bloods

• FBC
• blood culture (identify bacteraemia)
• U&Es (dehydration)

Question 14

what might a stool sample show?

Answer 14

fecal microscopy and analysis for toxins

Question 15

management for gastroenteritis?

Answer 15

• Bed rest
• Fluid and electrolyte replacement
• IV rehydration
• Antibiotic treatment

Question 16

what are possible complications of gastroenteritis?

Answer 16

• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Prerenal failure
• Secondary lactose intolerance
• Sepsis and shock
• Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Question 17

prognosis for gastroenteritis?

Answer 17

good prognosis as cases are self-limiting