Gastroenteritis " Tummy Bug "

Gastroenteritis is a very common condition that causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

 It's usually caused by a bacterial or viral tummy bug and sometimes Parasitic .

It affects people of all ages . . ⚑ NO Age Limit ⚑

Most cases in children are caused by a virus called rotavirus. Cases in adults are usually caused by nonovirus (the "winter vomiting bug") or bacterial Food Poisoning .

⇲⇲ Gastroenteritis can be very unpleasant, but it usually clears up by itself within a week. You can normally look after yourself or your child at home until you're feeling better.

♫♫ Types of gastroenteritis : 

1 - Viral Gastroenteritis 

2 - Bacterial Gastroenteritis 

3 - Parasitic Gastroenteritis 

Symptoms of gastroenteritis

 The main symptoms of gastroenteritis are:

• sudden, watery diarrhoea . 
• feeling sick
• vomiting, which can be projectile
• a mild fever
• Abdominal Colic 

 Some people also have other symptoms, such as a loss of appetite, an upset stomach , aching limbs and Headaches .

The symptoms usually appear up to a day after becoming infected. They typically last less than a week, but can sometimes last longer.

To help ease your symptoms:

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration –You need to drink more than usual to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea. Water is best, but you could also try fruit juice and soup.
• Get plenty of rest.
• If you feel like eating, try small amounts of plain foods, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread.
• Use special rehydration drinks made from sachets bought from pharmacies if you have signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth or dark urine . 

Gastroenteritis can spread very easily, so you should wash your hands  regularly while you're ill and stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after your symptoms have cleared, to reduce the risk of passing it on . 

When to get medical advice : 

• you have symptoms of severe dehydration , such as persistent diziness , only passing small amounts of urine or no urine at all, or if you're losing consciousness
• you have bloody diarrhoea
• you're vomiting constantly and are unable to keep down any fluids
• you have a fever over 38C (100.4F)
• your symptoms haven't started to improve after a few days
• in the last few weeks you've returned from a part of the world with poor sanitation
• you have a serious underlying condition, such as kidney disease , inflammatory bowel disease or a weak immune system, and have diarrhoea and vomiting .

How gastroenteritis is spread : 

The bugs that cause gastroenteritis can spread very easily from person to person.

You can catch the infection if small particles of vomit or poo from an infected person get into your mouth, such as through:

• close contact with someone with gastroenteritis – they may breathe out small particles of vomit
• touching contaminated surfaces or objects 
• eating contaminated food – this can happen if an infected person doesn't wash their hands before handling food, or you eat food that has been in contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, or hasn't been stored and cooked at the correct temperatures

A person with gastroenteritis is most infectious from when their symptoms start until 48 hours after all their symptoms have passed, although they may also be infectious for a short time before and after this.

Preventing gastroenteritis : 

It's not always possible to avoid getting gastroenteritis, but following the advice below can help stop it spreading:

• Stay off work, school or nursery until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed. You or your child should also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.
• Ensure you and your child wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food. Don't rely on alcohol hand gels, as they're not always effective.
• Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated. It's best to use a bleach-based household cleaner.
• Wash contaminated items of clothing or bedding separately on a hot wash.
• Don't share towels, flannels, cutlery or utensils while you or your child is ill.
• Flush away any poo or vomit in the toilet or potty and clean the surrounding area.

• Practice good food hygiene. Make sure food is properly refrigerated, always cook your food thoroughly, and never eat food that is past its use-by date . 

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