Gastroenteritis Fact Sheet

What is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is an illness with sudden episodes of watery or very loose bowel motions (diarrhoea), with or without vomiting. Gastroenteritis may be caused by a number of different bacteria e.g. Salmonella, Campylobacter and viruses e.g. norovirus or rotavirus. They can be easily passed from one person to another.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms can include:

• diarrhoea
  
• vomiting
  
• stomach pain
• headache
• fever
  

Depending on what has caused the illness, symptoms can develop within hours or may take days, and can last from a few hours to days, weeks or months depending on the bacteria or virus that caused the illness.

How is it treated?

Most people with gastroenteritis recover completely without treatment. It can, however, be serious for those people who are unable to drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhoea. Infants, young children, and people who are unable to care for themselves, such as the disabled or elderly, are particularly prone to this. Immunocompromised people are also at greater risk of dehydration because they may get a more serious illness, with more serious vomiting and/or diarrhoea. They may need to be hospitalised for treatment or to prevent dehydration.

To prevent dehydration, it is important to drink at frequent intervals. Water, ice-blocks, jelly and watered-down fruit juice are suitable fluid replacements. Milk is generally not recommended. Oral rehydration fluid can also be obtained from a chemist. A normal diet can be resumed when the appetite returns, but avoiding high fat and sugar foods is normally recommended until fully recovered. Rest is important in recovery. Paracetamol can be given if stomach cramps persist and will help to reduce any fever.

A doctor should be consulted when:

· Diarrhoea and stomach cramps persist for more than 24 hours.

· If you and/or your child have a high temperature, go pale or limp.

· If you and/or your child are not drinking fluids and are showing signs of dehydration

(passing small amounts of dark urine and/or have a dry mouth).

· If there is no improvement in spite of medical treatment.

Go back to your doctor if symptoms are severe as he or she may give further advice. In some cases, antibiotic treatment may be recommended to relieve symptoms or if you have other health problems. A doctor can determine if the illness is caused by bacteria or a virus on the basis of the symptoms and a medical examination as well as laboratory testing a stool specimen.

How is it spread?

People can become infected when they swallow bacteria or a virus. This can happen as a result of:

· Eating food that has been undercooked, contaminated or poorly handled.

· Contact with an infected animal such as a farm animal or domestic pet.

· Drinking water from an untreated supply, e.g. streams, roof-collected rainwater.

· Contact with infected people.

· Contact with infected surfaces or objects, e.g. a toy that an infected child has touched, a contaminated toilet door handle.

How do I prevent the spread to others?

Infected people may feel well, but they may be infectious for several weeks after symptoms have gone. People are likely to have the bacteria or virus in their system even once symptoms have stopped. The risk of spreading any bug or virus to others is greatly reduced if special attention to personal hygiene is followed, particularly washing and drying hands:

· Before handling food and eating.

· After playing or working with pets or animals.

· After going to the toilet and after changing nappies.

· After coming into contact with a sick person or animal.

The following can also help to prevent the spread of infection:

· Avoid the preparation of food while symptomatic. However, if this is not possible, ensure that hands are washed and dried prior to preparation and that all food is thoroughly cooked.

· Don’t consume food or water that is suspected of being the source of the illness. A health protection officer can be consulted to provide advice on the potential contamination of any food or water

· Wash soiled articles of clothing promptly in hot water and detergent. Soiled disposable nappies should be wrapped and disposed of immediately. Hands should be washed and dried following the handling of any soiled clothing or nappies.

· Disinfect contaminated surfaces promptly. Use household chlorine bleach-based cleaners and follow the instructions on the bottle to ensure the correct concentration

When can I return to school or work?

Anyone with diarrhoea or vomiting should not go to work, school or preschool until they have been symptom-free for 48 hours. This is particularly important in the following situations; if you work in a job that involves preparing food, working at a preschool or in health care and, in the case of children, attending school or preschool. Any person at a higher risk of spreading a bug or virus due to an underlying condition or disability should also follow this guidance.

It is important to advise your employer or your child’s school or preschool supervisor of any illness as this enables everyone to meet any sickness policy requirements.

For further information, contact a health protection officer or public health nurse located at a Public Health South office (please refer to the front page). Public health nurses in Southland can be contacted at Well Child Services (03) 214 5773.