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Gastroenteritis

Marie L Borum, MD, EdD, MPH Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Acute onset of diarrhea (3 or more times per day or at least 250 g of stool) and/or vomiting and abdominal pain, usually lasting <14 days depending on the pathogen. It can be bact...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Sudden onset of diarrhea and/or vomiting

  • Symptoms may include:

    • Crampy abdominal pain

    • Fevers

    • Nausea or anorexia

    • Weakness or fatigue

  • Ask about:

    • Travel history

    • Food Exposure (Raw seafood, eggs, ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • General measures prioritize the prevention and treatment of dehydration.

  • Oral treatment is preferred in patients who are PO-tolerant and who have mild dehydration.

    • A home- or c...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

24- to 48-hour follow-up for patients (especially young children and older adults) with mild dehydration who are released home 

DIET

See General M...

REFERENCES

1
Arostegui D, Wallach T. The cutting edge of gastroenteritis: advances in understanding of enteric infection. Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2022;74(2):180–185.5. doi: 10.1097/MPG.00000000...

ADDITIONAL READING

CODES

ICD10

  • A09 Infectious gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified

  • K52.9 Noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified

  • K52.89 Other specified noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis

  • K52.1 Toxic ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Gastroenteritis is very common. Most cases are self-limited, and patients recover with supportive care.

  • Consider zinc supplementation during AGE, especially in children.

  • Probiotics may r...

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