Diagnostics | Gastroenteritis – symptoms, causes, prognosis

Diagnostics

The anamnesis plays an important role in diagnostics. Questions about the nature and frequency of bowel movements are just as much a part of it as the information about other symptoms and past trips.Food, previous illnesses and medications taken should also be inquired about. Information about the illness of relatives or people in the immediate vicinity, as well as the time interval between eating and the outbreak, can be helpful in the diagnostic process.

In case of persistent and very severe diarrhea, a doctor should be consulted. Stool and intestinal mucosa samples can be used for closer diagnosis. They serve for microbiological examination. Serological tests in the blood are also helpful in making a diagnosis.

Prognosis

The prognosis for gastroenteritis is good in most cases. In the case of infection with the common norovirus, the symptoms subside after a few days. In the case of food poisoning, the symptoms may disappear after 24 hours. The not harmless amoebic dysentery, on the other hand, can last for several weeks.

Infection

If the first symptoms of a gastro-intestinal inflammation appear, the spread should be prevented. The daily walk to work, school and close human contact is not recommended. As there is a high load of the pathogen in the stool and vomit, hygiene is of paramount importance.

Washing hands several times and disinfecting after going to the toilet is important. The toilet itself should also be cleaned and disinfected. The bedclothes and clothing of the affected person can be cleaned of the pathogen at high temperatures (60°C or better 90°C).

Prophylaxis

Up to now, an oral vaccination against rotaviruses exists. Active immunization can be used in infants from the sixth week of life. To prevent travel diarrhoea, some measures are useful.

Water from the tap should be boiled before use. When buying water bottles, make sure that they are properly sealed and avoid ice cubes and ice cream to a large extent. Care should be taken when eating raw or uncooked seafood, fish or meat.