It is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract caused by an infection.
It can be caused by bacteria or viruses, acquired by ingesting food or water contaminated with the germ. Factors that favor its appearance: travel, lack of sanitation, day-care attendance, diseases that cause immunodeficiency, malnutrition and lack of breastfeeding.
It manifests with diarrhea, vomiting and bouts of abdominal pain. Diarrhea may contain mucus, blood or pus. It may be accompanied by fever which in some cases lasts for more than two weeks.
Diagnosis is clinical by interrogation and physical examination. Blood tests and stool examination will help to confirm the diagnosis and determine the triggering germ.
Treatment is aimed at ensuring proper hydration and soothing abdominal pain. Usual analgesics and hyposodium saline with sugar, if there is vomiting, and a soft diet as soon as possible will be used. Antibiotics are restricted to cases in which a bacterium is isolated, there is important dehydration, abundant blood in stool, high fever, poor general condition or previous immunodeficiency problems.
- David O Matson. Acute viral gastroenteritis in children in resource-rich countries: Clinical features and diagnosis. UpToDate. Agosto 2016
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Diarrhoea and vomiting in children: Diarrhoea and vomiting caused by gastroenteritis: diagnosis, assessment and management in children younger than 5 years.
- David O Matson. Acute viral gastroenteritis in children in resource-rich countries: Management and prevention. UpToDate. Abril 2016
- King CK, Glass R, Bresee JS, et al. Managing acute gastroenteritis among children: oral rehydration, maintenance, and nutritional therapy. MMWR Recomm Rep 2003; 52:1.
- Umesh D. Parashar. Gastroenteritis viral. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 227
