Introduction
Typically, the symptoms of a gastrointestinal flu occur very suddenly, with the incubation period (i.e. the time between infection and the onset of the first symptoms) depending strongly on the pathogen. The incubation period is usually a few hours and three days. In rare cases, gastroenteritis can be completely asymptomatic, but those affected carry the pathogen inside them and are contagious during this period. Here they come to the main topic: gastro-enteritis
Common symptoms
The following symptoms are typical for a gastrointestinal flu: The most important symptoms are explained in more detail in the following text sections.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Cramp-like abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- General feeling of illness and exhaustion
- Drowsiness and tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Headache and aching limbs
- Liquid and electrolyte loss
- Circulation problems due to loss of fluid
- Weight loss increased heart rate and cardiac arrhythmia
Torrential and violent vomiting are among the leading symptoms of gastrointestinal flu. Vomiting is a protective mechanism of the body to protect itself against poisoning.
Infection of the gastrointestinal tract with bacteria or viruses causes the mucous membranes of the stomach and small intestine to become inflamed, resulting in the reverse emptying of stomach and intestinal contents. Especially the very contagious noro- or rotaviruses lead to severe vomiting attacks. Frequent and strong vomiting can lead to complications.
Frequent vomiting leads to considerable loss of fluid and electrolytes (salts). This can lead to metabolic disorders and even cardiac arrhythmia. Repeated vomiting of stomach acid can damage the mucous membrane of the esophagus.
A further problem is that medications taken are not retained in the stomach, but are immediately vomited again before they can take effect. In the case of a conventional gastrointestinal flu, the vomiting itself does not normally need to be treated, unless there is a risk of dehydration (exsiccosis). The doctor can then prescribe medication (antiemetics), which can be administered as suppositories or in the form of syringes.
It is important that the loss of fluid and electrolytes is compensated by drinking a lot (e.g. tea with sugar and a little salt or cola with salt sticks). This is best done in sips so as not to burden the irritated stomach even more. A stomach flu is often accompanied by severe nausea and subsequent vomiting.
Just like vomiting, nausea is a protective mechanism of the body and is a reaction to the pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. Nausea is controlled by the central and autonomic nervous system, with the vomiting center being located in the brain. Nausea is characterized by a dull feeling in the stomach area and nausea.
However, nausea does not always require vomiting. Sometimes vomiting leads to a temporary improvement of the nausea. If the nausea is severe, the affected person loses appetite and can no longer eat food.
In order to ensure that the patient is still sufficiently supplied with fluids and nutrients, warm peppermint or chamomile tea and vegetable broth can be drunk. Fresh air and quiet lying down can relieve the nausea. A special therapy for nausea is not necessary in most cases.
If the nausea is very severe, the doctor can administer an anti-emetic (antiemetic). This topic might also be of interest to you: Medication for nauseaVigorous abdominal cramps and abdominal pain are a typical symptom of gastroenteritis. The abdominal pain occurs in intervals and is usually accompanied by diarrhoea.
After going to the toilet, the symptoms may temporarily improve. Heat helps with severe cramps. It is best for patients to lie down in bed with a hot water bottle and a cup of hot tea and allow their bodies to recover.
A special treatment for abdominal pain is not necessary in the case of gastro-enteritis and it is sufficient to compensate for the loss of fluid caused by the diarrhoea. The diarrhea of gastro-enteritis can be accompanied by rumbling in the intestines and severe flatulence. Due to the infection of the intestinal mucosa with pathogenic bacteria, the intestine can no longer function properly and cannot digest the contents of the bowel completely.
Bacterial processes cause an increase in gases, which manifest themselves as flatulence and are very unpleasant for the person affected.Further articles to this topic: Household remedies for flatulence and medicines against flatulenceWith a gastro-intestinal flu fever can occur, but this is not absolutely necessary. Fever is manifested by an elevated body temperature and alternating phases of intense heat and chills. The body’s immune system reacts to the pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract by releasing certain substances (pyrogens).
Pyrogens increase the temperature in the body, which prevents the germs from spreading and kills them. Fever can be accompanied by hot skin, heavy sweating and confusion. Pain in the limbs is a typical side effect of infectious diseases and can therefore also occur in the case of gastro-enteritis.
Pain in the limbs manifests itself as aching muscles in the arms and legs. Pain in the limbs is harmless and disappears by itself after a few days. No special treatment is necessary.
Certain pathogens that trigger gastroenteritis are particularly aggressive and can cause severe damage to the mucous membrane of the intestine. The diarrhea that occurs then sets in very suddenly and can be very watery. Sometimes blood from the damaged intestinal wall is added to the stool.
Above all, a number of bacteria, such as EHEC, cause bloody diarrhoea, whereas in viral infections blood is rarely found in the stool. Depending on the pathogen, back pain can also occur in the context of gastroenteritis. Diseases of the intestine sometimes cause pain in the lower back.
The diarrhea that occurs irritates the nerves that supply the intestines. These nerves have their origin in the lumbar spine and also supply the muscles in this area, which means that muscle tension and back pain can occur in the case of gastro-enteritis. The frequent vomiting and diarrhea in the case of gastro-enteritis lead to a large loss of fluid.
If the patient does not take care to drink enough fluid to compensate for the loss, the body water may decrease and symptoms of dehydration (desiccosis) may occur. As a result, patients suffer from circulatory problems and feel dizzy when getting up. There is an increased risk of falling, which is why older patients in particular must be particularly careful.
In addition to the typical symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, gastro-enteritis can also be accompanied by headaches. Headaches and fatigue are then a sign that the body has lost too much fluid and is dehydrated. The reduced amount of fluid in the body makes the blood thicker and makes it harder for it to flow through small vessels.
As a result, the brain in particular, with its fine blood vessels, is not supplied with enough oxygen and nutrients, causing headaches. Due to the illness of a gastro-enteritis it is possible that the pulse rate of the patients rises. The frequent vomiting and diarrhea lead to a severe loss of water in the body, which can lead to circulatory disorders and an accelerated heartbeat (tachycardia) and reduced blood pressure. Those affected experience the increased pulse as “palpitations”. A sufficient fluid intake increases the water content in the body and thus the blood volume, which causes the heartbeat and pulse to return to normal.
