Gastroentritis
Viral gastroenteritis (commonly shortened to ‘gastro’ or sometimes called the stomach flu) is a common short-term infection or inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
Typically, gastro includes unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps – which are usually not serious, but can cause dehydration. Generally, symptoms clear up within a few days, but may persist for up to 10 days.
Gastro is easily spread from person to person, so social distancing and good-old fashioned hand washing are key in helping to avoid the spread.
What causes gastro?
There can be lots of causes behind a bout of gastro, such as:
Viruses – rotavirus, astrovirus, adenovirus and norovirus
Bacteria - Salmonella or Campylobacter
Parasites - Giardia or Cryptosporidium
Toxins – certain bacteria (e.g. staphylococcal bacteria) can create poisonous by-products or toxins in food, causing gastro
Chemicals – lead poisoning or toxin in poisonous mushrooms
Medication – some antibiotics or certain medication may trigger gastroenteritis in susceptible people
What causes gastro?
There can be lots of causes behind a bout of gastro, such as:
Viruses – rotavirus, astrovirus, adenovirus and norovirus
Bacteria - Salmonella or Campylobacter
Parasites - Giardia or Cryptosporidium
Toxins – certain bacteria (e.g. staphylococcal bacteria) can create poisonous by-products or toxins in food, causing gastro
Chemicals – lead poisoning or toxin in poisonous mushrooms
Medication – some antibiotics or certain medication may trigger gastroenteritis in susceptible people
Infectious gastroenteritis is caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites being ingested through your mouth^.
The point of contact with gastroenteritis might be^:
Eating food or drinking fluids contaminated with germs or toxins, such as undercooked meat, contaminated water, raw fruit or vegetables in countries with poor sanitisation, or contact with human faeces (e.g. Escherichia coli or E. coli, Campylobacter infection, Giardia)
Poor personal hygiene, such as not washing hands after going to the toilet, or before preparing or eating food can spread the germs and cause contamination
Swimming in contaminated water and accidentally swallowing some (e.g. Cryptosporidium infection)
Personal contact, breathing in contaminated airborne particles, or touching a surface that contains microscopic droplets of poo or vomit from an infected person, which is then passed from your hands to your mouth (e.g. Shigellosis, viral gastroenteritis)
Handling pets or other animals and coming into contact with their faeces (e.g. salmonella)
Once in your digestive system, the time it takes for symptoms to develop depends on the germ or toxin you’ve been infected with.
Often this is 1-3 days after you eat the contaminated food, however it can be as quick as 1 hour (e.g. staphylococcal toxin) or as long as 60 days after (e.g. listeria).
Many people mistakenly blame their last meal for food poisoning; however, it is often a result of another meal from several days ago or contact with someone infectious. It can be hard to pinpoint.
The lesson: don’t be so quick to blame that fish taco!
Signs and symptoms of gastro
It usually takes a few days for gastro symptoms to develop. Symptoms often last a few days, and can persist for up to 10 days. These often include:
Vomiting
Watery diarrhoea
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Abdominal cramps or pain
Mucus or blood present in poo
Fever
Headaches
Generally feeling unwell – lethargy and body aches
Is gastro contagious?
Yes, gastro is extremely infectious and spreads quickly to members of households, or in group settings like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes.
It’s easily passed to others through person-to-person contact, coughing, sneezing, contaminated surfaces, objects, or food and drink.
It’s important to be hyper vigilant about maintaining personal hygiene, as gastro is highly contagious in the 1-2 days after recovery, even if the infected person is no longer experiencing symptoms.
This should include isolating from others, washing hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and running water, where possible using disposable paper towel to clean any vomit or poo and disposing of it immediately, and drinking from one water bottle to avoid spreading germs to other household members.
When to see a Doctor?
Most gastro will clear up within a few days without needing treatment. When you’re at your most infectious with gastro, it’s best not to leave the house at all. However a GP can diagnose gastroenteritis after examining you, or run tests to establish exactly which type of gastro is making you ill.
Babies or children who can’t keep down liquids should be taken to a doctor straight away, as dehydration in young children can be dangerous.
Anyone older should seek medical advice if symptoms persist longer than a few days or include fever, severe abdominal pain, blood in your diarrhoea, or signs of dehydration (decreased urination, sunken eyes, thirst, feeling faint when standing).
If your gastro is severe, you may require hospitalisation and an IV drip to replenish fluids.
How to treat gastro
Gastro is no fun. In fact, it’s downright miserable. But there’s plenty you can do remain comfortable at home while you recover and avoid passing it to others. Treatment may include:
Rest at home and avoid leaving the house until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped
Drink plenty of water and clear fluids to help replace what you’re losing
Oral rehydration or electrolyte drinks and products (such as icy poles) are available in pharmacies. These provide the correct formulation of water, sugar and salt your body needs.
Try to eat bland, easily digestible food to keep your strength up – such as soup, broth, vegetables, banana, crackers, rice and chicken.
Avoid milk and other dairy products as well as undiluted fruit juice, soft-drinks, or sports drinks because the sugar may make the diarrhoea worse.
Antibiotics, if bacteria is the cause
Avoid taking any anti-vomiting or anti-diarrhoea medicine unless recommended by your doctor, as this may keep the infection inside your body.
Avoid preparing food for anyone until at least 48 hours after symptoms clear up
If you’re caring for someone with gastro, use gloves and a facemask when cleaning up vomit and diarrhoea. Wash hands thoroughly after gloves are removed and disposed. Clean surfaces with hot water, detergent and disinfectant before allowing to dry completely.
How to help prevent gastroenteritis
Firstly, wash your hands! Hand hygiene is the best defence against gastro. Some suggestions to help reduce the risk of contamination or spreading a virus include:
hand hygiene is the most important tip. Wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and running water, especially after going to the toilet
wash hands thoroughly before and after preparing food
clean surfaces and common areas regularly, such as: door handles, benches, switches, toilet seats, toys, and baby change tables
keep kitchen surfaces and equipment clean
use disposable paper towels to dry your hands rather than fabric, as bacteria can survive and spread on re-used objects
ensure food (especially meat) is cooked thoroughly
Keep cold food cold below 5 °C and hot food hot above 60 °C to help prevent bacteria growing
Keep raw and cooked foods separate – do not share knives, cutting boards, plates or tongs unless thoroughly washed between use
When travelling overseas, drink only bottled water and use hand sanitiser frequently
How to help prevent gastroenteritis
Firstly, wash your hands!
Hand hygiene is the best defence against gastro. Some suggestions to help reduce the risk of contamination or spreading a virus include:
hand hygiene is the most important tip. Wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and running water, especially after going to the toilet
wash hands thoroughly before and after preparing food
clean surfaces and common areas regularly, such as: door handles, benches, switches, toilet seats, toys, and baby change tables
keep kitchen surfaces and equipment clean
use disposable paper towels to dry your hands rather than fabric, as bacteria can survive and spread on re-used objects#
ensure food (especially meat) is cooked thoroughly
Keep cold food cold below 5 °C and hot food hot above 60 °C to help prevent bacteria growing
Keep raw and cooked foods separate – do not share knives, cutting boards, plates or tongs unless thoroughly washed between use
When travelling overseas, drink only bottled water and use hand sanitiser frequently
Gastro can be an unavoidable part of life, but at MediADVICE we are here to help. If you have gastro, remember to remain isolating at home until 48 hours after symptoms clear, as you’re likely still infectious.
At MediADVICE, our team of friendly pharmacists can provide expert advice and recommend products that may help provide relief when you’re feeling unwell. Call your local MediADVICE pharmacy and speak to one of our team today.
Find your local pharmacy