The 6 important symptoms of gastroenteritis 1. Diarrhea 2. Nausea 3. Vomiting 4. Stomach cramps 5. Fever 6. Dehydration

Associate Professor Dr. Mustafa Kaplan from the Gastroenterology Department of Memorial Kayseri Hospital provided information about gastroenteritis.

Gastroenteritis is a very common health problem that causes diarrhea and vomiting. Generally occurring in the summer months due to bacterial or viral reasons, this condition affects people of all ages and is especially common in young children. Commonly referred to as stomach and intestinal flu or intestinal upset among the public, gastroenteritis manifests itself with watery diarrhea, cramp-style abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Viral gastroenteritis can lead to fatal outcomes for babies, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Known as stomach flu

Viral gastroenteritis, also known as stomach cold or stomach flu, is an intestinal infection that manifests with watery diarrhea, cramp-style abdominal pain, nausea-vomiting, and sometimes fever. The most common cause of gastroenteritis is coming into contact with an infected person or consuming contaminated food or water. If the person does not have any other illness, this condition usually resolves on its own within a day or two. However, viral gastroenteritis or stomach cold can lead to deaths in babies, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Pay attention to the symptoms

The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis are as follows:

“Watery, usually non-bloody diarrhea (bloody diarrhea usually indicates a different, more severe infection), abdominal cramps and pains, nausea, vomiting, or both, occasional muscle aches or headaches, low-grade fever, sometimes loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, joint and headache may occur.”

The most significant cause is noroviruses

The likelihood of contracting viral gastroenteritis increases when consuming contaminated or dirty food or water, or when sharing kitchen utensils, towels, or food with a person who has a microbe. The most common causes are rotavirus and noroviruses. Noroviruses are one of the most common causes of foodborne illnesses worldwide in both children and adults. The virus is especially likely to spread among people in enclosed spaces. In most cases, you get the virus from contaminated food or water, but transmission from person to person is also possible. Rotavirus is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children who get infected when they put their fingers or other objects contaminated with the virus into their mouths. The infection is more severe in babies and young children. Adults infected with rotavirus may not show symptoms but can still spread the disease. Fortunately, there is a vaccine for this infection. Some shellfish, especially raw or undercooked oysters, can also make you sick. Although contaminated drinking water can be a cause of viral diarrhea, in most cases, the virus passes through the fecal-oral route.

Who gets gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis affects people of all ages and races. Individuals who may be more susceptible to gastroenteritis include:

“Children in childcare centers or primary schools may be especially vulnerable because it takes time for a child’s immune system to mature. Adult immune systems weaken in later stages of life. Especially elderly adults in nursing homes are vulnerable because their immune systems are weakened and they live in close contact with others who may carry germs. Those who frequent crowded places or live in dormitories. If your resistance to infection is low, for example, if your immune system is suppressed by HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, or another medical condition. Each gastrointestinal virus has a season when it is most active.

Pay attention to what you eat and drink

In cases of gastroenteritis, detailed histories should be taken from patients, especially inquiring about the foods consumed and beverages ingested. In suspected cases, tests such as CRP and complete blood count should be performed to show the infection in the blood, and if possible, stool examination should be conducted. The patient should be diagnosed in this way, and supportive treatment and, if necessary, medication should be provided.

Symptoms appear within 1-3 days

After contracting the microbe in gastroenteritis, symptoms usually appear within 1-3 days. Complaints generally last for one or two days, but can sometimes continue for up to 10 days. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor without delay. If there is a problem with retaining fluids in the body for 24 hours, if vomiting has been occurring for more than two days, if there is bloody vomiting, if dehydration occurs (excessive thirst, dry mouth, dark yellow urine or very little urine, or no urine at all, and severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness), if there is blood in the stool along with diarrhea, if there is a fever above 38.8 degrees, the patient must be carefully monitored.