التهاب المعدة والأمعاء الحاد

Definition

Acute gastroenteritis is infection causing diarrhoea and vomiting, mostly viral (rotavirus, norovirus), sometimes bacterial or parasitic.

Symptoms

• Watery diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps
• Sometimes low-grade fever
• Bloody diarrhoea or high fever suggest a bacterial cause

Assessing dehydration

• Mild: thirst and slightly dry mouth
• Moderate: low urine output, sunken eyes and tachycardia
• Severe: lethargy, delayed capillary refill and hypotension

Treatment

• Oral rehydration solution in small frequent amounts
• Continue breastfeeding and suitable food
• IV fluids for severe dehydration or persistent vomiting
• Zinc for children in low-income settings per WHO guidance
• Avoid sweet drinks and antidiarrhoeals in young children

Prevention

Hand washing, safe food and water, and rotavirus vaccine for infants.

Exam point

Those at highest dehydration risk are infants, older adults and people on diuretics or ACE inhibitors.