Definition of Acute Gastroenteritis

Acute gastroenteritis is a bacterial inflammation of the stomach and intestines. This illness, according to Medlineplus.com, affects about 1 in 1,000 people annually.

Causes

• Acute gastroenteritis is caused by ingesting bacteria contaminated bakery products, dairy products, improperly prepared food, reheated meat dishes and seafood. This condition may also occur by drinking contaminated water and by visiting or living in areas of poor sanitation.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of acute gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal cramps or pain, bloody stools, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

Diagnosis

• This condition is diagnosed by a physical examination and testing of your stool for signs of infection such as bacteria and white blood cells.

Treatment

• Acute gastroenteritis is treated by taking measures to avoid dehydration by increasing your fluid intake and not eating solid foods until your diarrhea stops. Your physician will inform you if your situation requires the use of anti-diarrheal medications.

Warning

• Contact your physician if you have pus or blood in your stools, black stools, persistent abdominal pain after a bowel movement, fever in an adult above 101 degrees F or above 100.4 degrees F in a child, no improvement in diarrhea symptom within 5 days for an adult or 2 days for a child, and if your child vomits for more than 12 hours.