Acute gastroenteritis, also known as gastroenteritis, is caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. These colonize the intestinal mucosa and lead to diarrhea via various mechanisms. Most common are infections with noro- and rotaviruses.
Nearly all pathogens cause similar symptoms, so that no specific pathogen can be identified in this way. Accompanying symptoms can be nausea, vomiting, fever and abdominal cramps. The severity of the disease ranges from slight discomfort to a life-threatening infection.
While the symptoms in healthy adults are often self-limiting and subside within a few days, care should be taken with older people and children due to the large amount of fluid loss. Since the pathogens are excreted with vomit and in the stool, they can be transmitted quickly from person to person. Depending on the type of pathogen, the infection period varies.
Symptoms
A characteristic feature of gastroenteritis is the sudden onset of symptoms. The affected person feels weak and limp. The first symptoms, usually diarrhea, appear in the first four to 48 hours after infection.
If the stool is thin more than three times a day, this is called diarrhea. Vomiting, increased body temperature and abdominal cramps can also occur. Headaches and aching limbs are also not uncommon. The symptoms vary depending on the pathogen.
Duration
In most cases the symptoms subside after a few days. However, if the diarrhea lasts longer than two weeks, a doctor should be contacted urgently. In cases of exceptionally severe diarrhea, signs of dehydration may occur. These include drowsiness, dizziness and dark urine. A doctor should also be consulted in the case of particularly pronounced symptoms, such as high fever, painful cramps.
Cause
Norovirus is one of the leading causes of gastrointestinal tract infections. It is spread worldwide. About 30% of gastroenteritis in children and 50% of gastroenteritis in adults is caused by the virus.
Persons under five and over 70 years of age are particularly likely to be affected by an infection. For this reason, the Norovirus can spread rapidly in old people’s homes, clinics and social institutions. Especially in the cold season between October and March, the infections increase.
Primarily the virus is transmitted from person to person. Even an extremely small number of 10 to 100 virus particles is sufficient for an infection. The first symptoms appear six to 50 hours after infection.
The risk of infection is particularly high in this phase, as in the symptomatic phase. The acute course of the disease is characterized by torrential vomiting and severe diarrhea. The symptoms usually subside after 12 to 48 hours.
They are accompanied by a pronounced feeling of illness with limb and headaches, listlessness and abdominal cramps. The rotavirus also spreads worldwide. It causes a large number of gastro-intestinal inflammations in children.
Due to the high risk of infection, most children have already had an infection by the age of five. Between February and April a high number of cases can be observed. Since the virus is excreted in large quantities with the stool, the infection occurs in most cases from person to person.
After contact with contaminated surfaces and subsequent absorption through the mouth, infection can also occur. It usually takes one to three days before the disease breaks out. Infected persons excrete the virus for up to eight days.
The beginning is characterized by sudden diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. In addition to mucus in the stool, fever, rhinitis and coughing can occur. In infants and toddlers the symptoms last between two and six days.
Not only viruses, but also bacteria can cause gastroenteritis. They develop their pathogenic effect with the help of various mechanisms. Some bacteria stimulate the intestinal cells to release more fluid and electrolytes. Others destroy cells or they penetrate into intestinal cells and develop their infectious effect there.
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