How is gastroenteritis diagnosed?
The symptoms of gastroenteritis are usually enough to identify the illness. Unless there is an outbreak affecting several people or complications are encountered in a particular case, identifying the specific cause of the illness is not a priority. However, if identification of the infectious agent is required, a stool sample will be collected and analyzed for the presence of viruses, disease-causing (pathogenic) bacteria, or parasites.
It is important to consider infectious gastroenteritis as a diagnosis of exclusion. A few loose stools and vomiting may be the result of systemic infection such as pneumonia, septicaemia, urinary tract infection and even meningitis. Surgical conditions like appendicitis, intussusception and, rarely, even Hirschsprung's disease may mislead the clinician. |
More information on gastroenteritis
What is gastroenteritis? - Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestine resulting in diarrhea, with vomiting and cramps when irritation is excessive.
What causes gastroenteritis? - The most common cause of gastroenteritis is viral infection. Gastroenteritis arises from ingestion of viruses, certain bacteria, or parasites.
What is stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis)? - Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis) is a viral infection that affects the stomach and small intestine. It is also called viral gastroenteritis.
What is bacterial gastroenteritis? - Bacterial gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacteria or bacterial toxins.
What is eosinophilic gastroenteritis? - Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disease in which the lining of the stomach, small intestines and large intestines become inflitrated with eosinophilis.
What are the symptoms of gastroenteritis? - The main symptoms of gastroenteritis include poor feeding in infants, vomiting and fever, usually rapidly followed by diarrhoea.
How is gastroenteritis diagnosed? - The symptoms of gastroenteritis are usually enough to identify the illness. However, if identification of the infectious agent is required.
What're the treatments for gastroenteritis? - Symptoms of uncomplicated gastroenteritis can be relieved with adjustments in diet, herbal remedies, and homeopathy.
How is gastroenteritis prevented? - If the gastroenteritis is caused by a virus, it probably cannot be prevented. There are few steps that can be taken to avoid gastroenteritis. |
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