There are no medications available to treat viral gastroenteritis. Instead, treatment focuses on symptom management and preventing complications. In the rare cases of bacterial gastroenteritis, an antibiotic might be useful. While travelling, drink bottled water and beverages if possible — and make sure they are sealed before you open them — and only consume local water after boiling it for three minutes. Brush your teeth with bottled water and keep your mouth closed while showering.
Avoid raw fruits and vegetables unless they have a skin you can peel bananas, citrus, avocado, etc. Try to avoid street vendors, which are more likely to be contaminated than restaurants. As with gastroenteritis at home, regular hand-washing is important. The rotavirus vaccine is an effective means of preventing children from developing this dangerous form of gastroenteritis.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends that infants receive their first dose of rotavirus vaccine between 6 weeks and 15 weeks-of-age, and their final dose before 32 weeks-of-age. For most cases of gastroenteritis, home treatment is adequate. It is important to drink plenty of fluids, but sip slowly rather than chug large amounts to ensure consistent hydration and avoid increased vomiting.
If your infant is sick, continue their normal feeding routine, whether it is breast milk or formula. It is useful for children who experience vomiting and diarrhea, and adults who have had these symptoms for 24 hours or longer, to consume electrolyte preparations.
Electrolytes are the salts and minerals that the body uses to conduct electrical impulses that allow the muscles and nervous system to function correctly. Excessive diarrhea and vomiting, and the resulting severe dehydration, can cause an imbalance in these electrolytes, which is potentially dangerous if left untreated.
Avoid sports drinks, which tend to be higher in sugar and lower in electrolytes. For mild gastroenteritis, coconut water can be effective. There are also many recipes for homemade electrolyte drinks available. It is important to be careful following recipes for homemade electrolyte drinks and to use recipes from health professionals. Recipes made with the wrong ratios can be ineffective at replenishing electrolytes adequately, and liquids with too much salt can increase diarrhea.
These also might not taste as good as commercial varieties, and could be off-putting for some children, especially when they are already ill and having trouble consuming anything. One simple version is to combine ml of unsweetened orange juice, ml of cooled, previously-boiled water, and 2. During an episode of gastroenteritis, it is important to eat when you are able to, but avoid high-fat foods, high sugar foods, very high-fibre foods, spicy foods, dairy products such as milk and cheese, coffee, and alcohol, as these can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and increase symptoms.
Start with very small portions, and gradually increase to the level your digestive tract can handle without becoming ill.
In the past, physicians advised patients to consume simple foods such as dry toast, crackers, and applesauce, but now they recommend eating more nutritious foods to help provide the body with the sustenance it needs to heal. Foods that are both beneficial and easy to tolerate include fresh fruits, cooked vegetables, lean meats and fish, eggs, rice, pasta, bread, and low-fat yogurt if you are not lactose intolerant.
Make sure to get plenty of rest and stay at home. This goes for every member of the family, any children who are sick should stay home from school or daycare to prevent spreading gastroenteritis to their classmates. Always wash your hands after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper, and before preparing any food. Speak with a physician before taking any medications to stop vomiting antiemetic or diarrhea antidiarrheal. Taking a probiotic supplement during and after infection with gastroenteritis might help reduce some of the potential damage to the gut microbiome balance, 11 but you should speak with your physician or pharmacist to help decide which product would be best for you.
Some symptoms, such as producing no urine or only very small amounts of urine, having a very dry mouth or sunken eyes, experiencing a fast or irregular heartbeat or quickened breathing, feeling dizzy and light-headed, and not being alert can point to severe dehydration. Blurred or double vision, trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, or muscle weakness after eating canned food could be signs of botulism.
In either of these cases, call or visit the hospital immediately. Most healthy adults will recover from a bout of gastroenteritis within a few days with no lasting complications. These symptoms can happen with all forms of gastroenteritis both viral and bacterial. High fever and bloody diarrhea are more common with bacterial gastroenteritis.
The symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis may look like other medical conditions or problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will perform an exam and ask about your medical history. Once a healthcare provider diagnoses your bacterial gastroenteritis, it is easy to treat.
Antibiotics work to cure some forms of bacterial gastroenteritis within a few days. You may need additional treatment to replace the fluids and electrolytes in your body. This will depend on the severity of your illness. In some cases, you may need IV fluid replacement. Health Home Conditions and Diseases.
What causes gastroenteritis? The more common types of bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis include: E. Symptoms may include: Nausea Vomiting Fever sometimes very high Abdominal cramping and pain Diarrhea, possibly bloody Dehydration Electrolyte imbalance These symptoms can happen with all forms of gastroenteritis both viral and bacterial.
How is gastroenteritis diagnosed? How is gastroenteritis treated? People who get these bacteria on their hands can spread them when they touch surfaces, objects, or other people. Anyone with these bacteria on their hands risks becoming ill if they transfer them to their mouth, eyes, or other openings on the body. As a result, it is essential that people wash their hands thoroughly after handling food or using the bathroom, especially if they have bacterial gastroenteritis or any other infection.
The symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis can vary between people and may depend on the bacteria causing the illness. In some cases, symptoms may not appear for up to 4 days after a person becomes infected. Adults with bacterial gastroenteritis should see a doctor if their symptoms do not clear up within 5 days. A doctor will ask the individual about their symptoms.
If the doctor suspects bacterial gastroenteritis, they may request a stool sample to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection. Bacterial gastroenteritis will often clear up on its own without any treatment.
However, vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration , so it is important to stay hydrated. This is usually possible to achieve at home by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water. Vomiting and diarrhea can also cause the body to lose essential minerals such as sodium, potassium , and calcium.
Eating soups or broths can replace both fluid and minerals. Fluid and mineral replacement solutions are also available at drug stores. If a person cannot keep fluids down or becomes too dehydrated, they may need to go to the hospital. There, a doctor will give them intravenous fluids and electrolytes. In severe cases of bacterial gastroenteritis, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
It is best to speak to a doctor before taking any over-the-counter OTC medications to treat bacterial gastroenteritis, as some medications may prolong symptoms. The following precautions can help someone with bacterial gastroenteritis to avoid spreading the infection to other people:. The most common complication is dehydration, which occurs when people lose fluids from vomiting and diarrhea and do not replace them. If a person becomes too dehydrated, they may need to go to the hospital.
Children and older adults have a higher risk of developing complications, so any caregivers should monitor them closely. In very rare cases, untreated bacterial gastroenteritis can result in brain damage or death.
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