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Alternative names Return to top
Infectious diarrhea - bacterial gastroenteritis; Acute gastroenteritis; Gastroenteritis - bacterialDefinition Return to top
Bacterial gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacteria or bacterial toxins. (Also see food poisoning.)Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Many different types of bacteria can produce the symptoms associated with bacterial gastroenteritis including salmonella, shigella, staphylococcus, Campylobacter jejuni, clostridium, E. coli, yersinia, and others. Some sources of the infection are improperly prepared food, reheated meat dishes, seafood, dairy, and bakery products. Each organism causes slightly different symptoms but all result in diarrhea. Colitis, inflammation of the large intestine, may also be present.Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
The objective of treatment is to replace fluids and electrolytes (salt and minerals) lost by diarrhea. Blood transfusions are rarely required.Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
With most infections, symptoms improve with fluid and electrolyte replacement within a week. There are rare cases of patients with renal failure and even death due to the infection.Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if diarrhea recurs or persists for more than a week, or if there is blood in stools. Infants and young children become dehydrated more rapidly than adults. Call your provider if your child develops any signs of dehydration, even if it is only a few hours since the onset of illness.Prevention Return to top
Proper handling, storage, and preparation of food -- in addition to good sanitation -- are principles of prevention. Update Date: 5/14/2004 Updated by: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |