Deer Park West Primary School Newsletter

Health and Wellbeing

Gastroenteritis (Gastro)

Gastroenteritis is an illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Typical symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting. In many cases, the condition heals itself within a few days. The main complication of gastroenteritis is dehydration, but this can be prevented if the fluid lost in vomit and diarrhoea is replaced. A person suffering from severe gastroenteritis may need fluids administered intravenously (directly into the bloodstream via a vein – the setup is often referred to as a ‘drip’). Some of the causes of gastroenteritis include viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxins, parasites, particular chemicals and some drugs.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis

The symptoms of gastroenteritis can include:

  • loss of appetite
  • bloating
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • abdominal cramps
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhoea
  • bloody stools (poo) – in some cases
  • pus in the stools – in some cases
  • generally feeling unwell – including lethargy and body aches.

Causes of gastroenteritis

There are many things that can cause gastroenteritis, including:

  • viruses – such as norovirus, calicivirus, rotavirus, astrovirus and adenovirus
  • bacteria – such as the Campylobacter bacterium
  • parasites – such as Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium
  • bacterial toxins – the bacteria themselves don’t cause illness, but their poisonous by-products can contaminate food. Some strains of staphylococcal bacteria produce toxins that can cause gastroenteritis
  • chemicals – lead poisoning, for example, can trigger gastroenteritis
  • medication – certain medication (such as antibiotics), can cause gastroenteritis in susceptible people.

Treatment for gastroenteritis

Treatment depends on the cause, but may include:

  • Plenty of fluids.
  • Oral rehydration drinks, available from your pharmacist.
  • Admission to hospital and intravenous fluid replacement, in severe cases.
  • Antibiotics, if bacteria are the cause.
  • Drugs to kill the parasites, if parasites are the cause.
  • Avoiding anti-vomiting or anti-diarrhoea drugs unless prescribed or recommended by your doctor, because these medications will keep the infection inside your body.

Where to get help