MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Viral gastroenteritis

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Viral gastroenteritis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Alternative names Return to top

Rotavirus infection; Norwalk virus; Gastroenteritis - viral

Definition Return to top

Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral infection.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Viruses cause 30 to 40% of cases of infectious diarrhea in the U.S. and viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness, after upper respiratory infections.

Many types of viruses can cause gastroenteritis but the most common are rotavirus and norwalk virus. Rotavirus is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in children and can also occur in adults exposed to children with the virus. Norwalk virus causes group-related or institutional diarrhea with peak frequency during the winter. Norwalk-like viruses are common in school-age children.

These viruses are often found in contaminated food or drinking water. The viruses cause about 40% of group-related diarrheal illnesses. They affect older children and adults and are more frequent during the winter months. Symptoms appear within 4 to 48 hours after exposure to the contaminated food or water. The viruses are usually spread by the fecal-oral route.

Rotavirus causes severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children. Severe dehydration and death can occur in the young age group. It is responsible for up to 50% of the hospitalizations of children with diarrhea. Outbreaks may also occur in geriatric settings such as nursing homes. By the age of 3 most children have acquired antibodies to the virus.

Gastroenteritis affects the young, the elderly, and immunosuppressed people most severely.

Symptoms Return to top

Abdominal pain
Abdominal cramping
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Unintentional weight loss
Vomiting blood (very rare)
Excessive sweating
Clammy skin
Muscle pain
Joint stiffness
Incontinence
Fever
Chills
Poor feeding

Signs and tests Return to top

Stool assays for the viruses can identify the specific agent. A stool culture may rule out bacterial causes of the illness.

Treatment Return to top

The objective of treatment is to replace fluids and electrolytes (salt and minerals) lost by diarrhea. Antibiotic therapy is not effective in viral illness. Antidiarrheal medications are generally not given, as they may prolong the infectious process. Self-care measures to avoid dehydration include drinking electrolyte solutions (available over-the-counter) to replace fluids lost by diarrhea.

People with diarrhea who are unable to take fluids by mouth because of nausea may need intravenous fluids. This is especially true in small children.

People taking diuretics who develop diarrhea may be advised by their health care provider to stop taking the diuretic during the acute episode.

CONSULT WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER BEFORE YOU STOP TAKING A PRESCRIBED MEDICATION!

DO NOT give anti-diarrheal medications to children unless directed to do so by a health care provider. Since the risk of dehydration is greater in infants and young children, parents should closely monitor the number of wet diapers changed per day when the child is sick. Electrolyte and fluid replacement solutions for children are available in food and drug stores. Juice, soda or water do not replace electrolytes lost from vomiting or diarrhea. Children with diarrhea often benefit from dietary modifications until the diarrhea subsides.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Most infections will resolve spontaneously. Children may become severely ill from dehydration caused by diarrhea.

Complications Return to top

Dehydration is the main complication. Rarely, severe reactions may occur.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if symptoms of dehydration occur, including low urine output, nausea, faintness or dizziness, dry mouth, sunken appearance to the eyes, sunken fontanelle (soft spot on an infant's head), and confusion.

Also call if diarrhea persists for more than several days or if blood is noted in the stool.

Prevention Return to top

Most infectious organisms are transmitted by unwashed hands. The best way to prevent viral gastroenteritis is to handle food properly and wash hands thoroughly after using the toilet.

Update Date: 1/26/2004

Updated by: Sreeni Jonnalagadda, M.D., Interventional and Pancreatobiliary Endoscopy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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