Gastroenteritis

Marie L Borum, MD, EdD, MPH and Chavon Onumah, MD, MPH, MEd Reviewed 06/2022

BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Acute onset of diarrhea (3 or more times per day or at least 200 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

Scallan E, Griffin PM, Angulo FJ, et al. Foodborne illness acquired in the United States—unspecified agents. Emerg Infect Dis. 2011; ...

ADDITIONAL READING

Center for Disease Control. Rehydration therapy. https://www.cdc.gov/cholera/treatment/rehydration-therapy.html. Accessed August 7, 2021.
Wo...

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...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

START 10-DAY FREE TRIAL

Subscribe Now

Forgot password?

Enter an Access Code

GET CME/CE