All about food poisoning

Gastroenteritis is a condition that involves inflammation of the lining of the intestines, in particular the stomach and intestines. It usually resolves without medication, but in some cases it can lead to complications.

Food poisoning is a major cause of gastroenteritis, leading to a familiar set of unpleasant symptoms.

Gastroenteritis is typically caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites; this is called food poisoning when the source of such infection is infected food. Gastroenteritis can also be called "gastric flu" or "stomach flu."

Fast facts on gastroenteritis and food poisoning

Here are a few key points about gastroenteritis and food poisoning. In the body of this article there is more detail and supporting information.

Most cases of gastroenteritis are caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or parasites Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are typical symptoms of gastroenteritis Gastroenteritis is typically self-limiting, and tests aren't usually necessary for a diagnosis The most serious complication of gastrointestinal disorder and gastroenteritis is dehydration, especially for vulnerable people like the very young and really old.


Treatment

Treatment Gastroenteritis and gastrointestinal disorder usually resolve themselves with none medical intervention. Treatment is concentrated on reducing the symptoms and preventing complications, especially dehydration. The main treatment and prevention strategy for gastrointestinal disorder is to rest and replace lost fluids and electrolytes by: Drinking many liquids (preferably with oral rehydration salts to exchange lost electrolytes - see below) Ensuring fluid intake albeit vomiting persists, by sipping small amounts of water or allowing ice cubes to melt within the mouth. Gradually beginning to eat again. No specific restrictions are recommended, but blander foods could be easier to start out with (cereal, rice, toast, and bananas are good examples). During episodes of gastroenteritis, the following may worsen symptoms: fat, sugar, or spicy foods, dairy products, caffeine, and alcohol. To avoid the damaging and potentially fatal effects of dehydration from diarrhea, oral rehydration salts (ORS) are recommended for vulnerable people (for example, infants and youngsters, adults over 65 years aged, and other people with weakened immunity). Use of ORS in developing countries has been "one of the good public health success stories of our time," consistent with a former director-general of the planet Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland - it reduced the amount of deaths per annum among children with acute diarrhea, from 5 million to 1.3 million deaths. In developed countries, while the threat of death is smaller, rehydration is nonetheless important. Salt, glucose and minerals lost as a result of dehydration are replaced by sachets of oral rehydration salts available from pharmacies and online. The salts are dissolved in beverage and don't require a doctor's prescription. It is important to urge the proper concentration, as an excessive amount of sugar can make diarrhea worse, while an excessive amount of salt are often extremely harmful, especially for youngsters. A more dilute solution (for instance using quite 1 liter of water), is preferable to a more concentrated solution. Prevention Standard advice to avoid gastrointestinal disorder includes four key components: Cook: Ensure adequate heating time at the right temperature to kill any bacteria that would cause gastroenteritis. it's helpful to use a thermometer to check cooked meat and to make sure egg yolks are firm. Separate: Separate foods to avoid cross-contamination, and particularly meat. Chill: Chilled storage slows the expansion of harmful bacteria. Clean: Keep utensils and worktops clean and wash hands frequently, especially before eating or touching the mouth and after handling meat or eggs.