Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis, often called the stomach flu, is a common condition that causes stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
What is gastroenteritis?
Commonly known as a “tummy bug,” gastroenteritis is inflammation of your stomach and bowels (intestines). It is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. Gastroenteritis is sometimes referred to as “stomach flu,” though it is not related to flu and is not caused by the same virus.
Food poisoning is a type of gastroenteritis caused by consuming contaminated food or water.
If you have a tummy bug, don’t panic. Gastroenteritis usually gets better on its own after a few days, but in some cases may need medical treatment to prevent complications.
What causes gastroenteritis?
The most common cause of gastroenteritis is infection with a virus (viral gastroenteritis) such as norovirus or rotavirus, or bacteria (bacterial gastroenteritis) like Escherichia coli, campylobacter or salmonella.
Less commonly, gastroenteritis can be caused by parasites, ingesting toxic chemicals, or consuming large amounts of drugs or alcohol or some medications. The most common way to develop gastroenteritis is through close contact with an infected person or by eating contaminated food.
Gastroenteritis symptoms
Gastroenteritis symptoms often start suddenly and include abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhoea, nausea and/or vomiting. It’s common to have bouts of diarrhoea and/or vomiting several times over a short period of time.
You may develop other symptoms such as body aches, fever, and fatigue after a few hours.
Symptoms of gastroenteritis may include:
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Diarrhoea — is often watery and starts suddenly
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Bloating
- Headaches
- Body aches
- Fever
- Feeling generally unwell
- Blood in your poo
- Pus in your poo
Is gastroenteritis contagious?
If your gastroenteritis is caused by a virus or bacteria (infectious gastroenteritis) it is contagious, meaning it can spread to other people.
Gastroenteritis can be spread by:
- Close contact with someone with gastroenteritis
- Touching contaminated surfaces or objects
- Eating contaminated food
How long is gastroenteritis contagious?
You are contagious while you have symptoms of gastroenteritis and for two days after. To avoid spreading the infection to others, you should stay home from work or school while you have symptoms of gastroenteritis and for 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.
Who can get gastroenteritis?
Anyone can get gastroenteritis, but you’re more likely to get it if you:
- Are under six years of age
- Are over 65 years of age
- Have a weakened immune system due to diseases like HIV or medication such as immunosuppressants or chemotherapy
- Live or work in a childcare facility or nursing home
- Eat raw fish or meat
- Travel abroad, especially to less developed parts of the world
- Use certain drugs or alcohol frequently
You are contagious while you have symptoms of gastroenteritis and for two days after.
Is gastroenteritis serious?
Gastroenteritis isn’t usually serious, but if your symptoms are severe or last for a long time, it can lead to dehydration — a severe loss of fluid and essential salts and minerals from your body. You can help prevent dehydration by drinking plenty of water to replace the fluids lost through diarrhoea and vomiting. You can also replace lost electrolytes by drinking an oral rehydration solution (available over the counter from pharmacies). If your gastroenteritis is severe, and you are unable to keep fluids down, you may need to be given fluids intravenously (into a vein) in hospital. Babies, young children and older adults are at higher risk of developing dehydration. Dehydration in babies, children and older adults can be serious and in some cases, life-threatening. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect dehydration in your baby, child or an older adult in your care.
Signs of dehydration include:
- Feeling thirsty
- Passing small amounts of dark-coloured urine
- Dry mouth, lips and eyes
- Headache
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed
- Fatigue
- Confusion (this is more common in older adults)
Signs of dehydration in babies and young children may include:
- Peeing less or less wet nappies than usual
- Sticky or dry mouth
- Sunken eyes
- Few or no tears when crying
- In babies, a sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on the top of the head)
- Irritability, fractiousness or inability to settle
- Sleeping excessively
- Drowsiness
- Cold or discoloured hands or feet
- Wrinkly skin
- Constipation, fewer bowel movements than normal or passing hard, dry stools
- Rapid breathing
- Fast heart rate
How long does gastroenteritis last?
How long gastroenteritis lasts depends on the cause. Most cases of acute gastroenteritis clear up within a day or two, but symptoms can continue for up to two weeks.
When should I see a consultant?
Gastroenteritis usually gets better on its own within a few days without any specific treatment, but if your symptoms are severe or prolonged, you may need medical treatment.
Make an appointment to see your consultant if:
- Your symptoms are severe, getting worse or not getting better
- You have symptoms of dehydration
- You are vomiting and can’t keep fluids down
- You notice blood in your diarrhoea or vomit
- You have severe abdominal pain
- You have symptoms of gastroenteritis and are over 65 years of age
- You have symptoms of gastroenteritis and a fever over 38C
- You developed gastroenteritis after travel to a developing country
- You have a chronic (long-term) health condition such as diabetes, kidney disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- You have a weakened immune system
- You are pregnant
How is gastroenteritis diagnosed?
Your consultant can normally diagnose gastroenteritis by asking about your symptoms and performing a physical examination.
In some cases, they may order some tests such as a blood test or a sample of your poo to confirm your diagnosis or rule out another condition.
Most cases of acute gastroenteritis clear up within a day or two, but symptoms can continue for up to two weeks.
How is gastroenteritis treated?
Gastroenteritis usually gets better on its own after a few days. In some cases, such as if your gastroenteritis is severe, has a less common cause or has led to complications such as dehydration, you may need medical treatment.
How to treat gastroenteritis at home
You can help your body recover from gastroenteritis by resting at home, drinking plenty of fluids and eating a light, bland diet for a few days. Take small sips of fluid (water is best) and eat small amounts of bland food. Avoid fatty, spicy, and fried foods, dairy products and high-fibre foods and stick to plain foods like plain crackers, boiled potatoes, white rice and plain toast. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks and opt for clear fluids such as water, black tea, clear soup and clear or diluted fruit juice such as apple juice (undiluted fruit juice may make your diarrhoea worse).
Medications
Medications are not usually necessary to treat gastroenteritis, but in some cases, your consultant may prescribe or recommend medications such as:
Over-the-counter painkillers
Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with headaches or muscle aches and bring down a fever.
Antidiarrhoeal medications
Anti-diarrhoea medicines such as loperamide (Imodium) are not usually needed for gastroenteritis but may be used if you need short-term relief from diarrhoea. You can buy loperamide over the counter at pharmacies. Do not give antidiarrhoeal medicines to babies or children under the age of 12 and do not use this medication if you notice blood or mucus in your diarrhoea or if you have a high fever. Antidiarrhoeal medications should not be used for more than five days.
Oral rehydration solutions
Oral rehydration solutions do not treat gastroenteritis but replace lost fluids, salts and minerals if you are dehydrated. You can buy them over the counter at pharmacies. Your pharmacist can recommend a suitable oral rehydration solution.
Antibiotics
If your gastroenteritis is moderate to severe and caused by certain types of bacteria, your consultant may prescribe antibiotics. Antibiotics are not effective for viral or other types of non-bacterial gastroenteritis and often make your diarrhoea worse.
How can I prevent gastroenteritis?
You can’t always prevent gastroenteritis, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk and help prevent spreading gastroenteritis to others.
Practice good hand washing
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for around 40 seconds to remove any germs that may transfer to other people. It’s particularly important to wash your hands after using the toilet and before and after handling food.
Handle food safely
Contaminated food is a common cause of gastroenteritis. Practice good food hygiene by ensuring your hands are clean before preparing food, storing and cooking food properly and never eating food that is past its expiry date.
Keep your environment clean
Cleaning surfaces, particularly in the bathroom and kitchen with disinfectant removes germs that can linger on those surfaces and transmit to other people. Wash any clothing, towels or bedlinen that the infected person has been in contact with separately on a hot wash (over 50C). Don’t share items such as towels, utensils, cutlery or flannels with someone who has gastroenteritis.
Take care when travelling overseas
Traveller’s diarrhoea is common when travelling to parts of the world with poor sanitation. When travelling, stick to peeled, cooked or packaged foods and avoid tap water (including ice and when brushing your teeth).
Get help with Circle Health Group
At Circle Health Group we offer a range of specialist gastroenterology consultations and treatment options, including treatment for gastroenteritis and other digestive problems.
If you would like to learn more about our treatment options, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0808 189 4921
Tags
Sign up to our newsletter
How do I book an appointment?
If you're concerned about symptoms you're experiencing or require further information on this subject, talk to a GP or see an expert consultant at your local Circle Hospital.