gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and intestines. The most common symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting.

Gastroenteritis is normally mild and most symptoms will resolve within a few days without treatment. However, most forms of gastroenteritis are highly infectious. It is therefore very important to practise good hygiene, such as washing your hands after going to toilet, and before preparing food.

If symptoms are severe, or the person is vulnerable, due to advanced age or other illness, hospital treatment may be required. This is because the diarrhoea can cause a person to become quickly dehydrated which, in the most severe cases, can be fatal.

Gastroenteritis is a very common condition, with approximately 20% of people being affected by the condition in the UK every year. Deaths from the condition are rare in the UK, due to our good levels of health care, nutrition, and access to clean water, however, they are common in the developing world and present a significant health problem.

Gastroenteritis can be caused by viral infections such as the norovirus or by a number of different bacteria. Typically, bacterial gastroenteritis develops as a result of food poisoning.

Treatment for gastroenteritis involves replacing the fluids lost by diarrhoea.

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