Published by Bupa's Health Information Team, September 2010.
This factsheet is for people who have gastroenteritis, or who would like information about it.
Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach or bowels that is caused by an infection, and can lead to symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting.
In the UK, about one in five people get an infection causing gastroenteritis each year. It's more common in babies and young children who may have it more than once in a year. If you have gastroenteritis, it generally goes without you needing medical treatment. If a baby or a young child has gastroenteritis it can be more dangerous because he or she becomes dehydrated more easily.
Your stomach and bowels are known collectively as your gastrointestinal tract - or gut. Gastroenteritis is an infection of your gut. You can get an infection by eating or drinking food that is contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites, or from other people with an infection. Bacteria, viruses and parasites can damage the cells lining the inner surface of your gut and stop it working as it should.
Certain bacteria or viruses may also produce poisons called toxins that can irritate your gut and cause it to produce excess fluid. This can cause the symptoms of gastroenteritis, such as diarrhoea.
The time between catching the infection and the start of symptoms (the incubation period) depends on the type of infection you have. It can range from one hour to a few weeks but it's most often between one and three days.
You may have symptoms including:
The time it takes to recover depends on what infection you have. Most people recover within approximately 10 days. However, severe infections, which are uncommon in the UK, may last for many weeks. It's important to go to your GP if your symptoms last for more than a week, or if you have recently travelled abroad.
In adults and older children, the symptoms of gastroenteritis may be confused with other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Complications from gastroenteritis occur mainly in young children or in adults who are over the age of 65, have had gastroenteritis for a long time, or who have a weakened immune system.
Possible complications of gastroenteritis include:
Contact your GP if:
The main causes of gastroenteritis are infection with a virus, bacteria or parasite.
Viruses are a main cause of gastroenteritis, particularly in children. These include:
Viral infections can be seasonal. There is a peak of rotavirus and norovirus infections during the winter months.
The most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis is food poisoning. Different bacteria that cause food poisoning include Salmonella, Campylobacter and Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Parasites rarely cause gastroenteritis in the UK, but are a major problem in less-developed countries and you may get infected when abroad.
The infections are transmitted:
Your GP will ask about your symptoms and examine you. He or she may ask about your medical history. It's important to tell your GP if you have been travelling and which countries you have visited and any vaccinations you have had. Your GP may ask you for a sample of faeces (stool sample) to send for laboratory testing.
If you have gastroenteritis you usually stay at home until your symptoms get better.
The most important thing you should do is replace the fluids and salts you have lost, to prevent dehydration.
If you have mild gastroenteritis, drinks such as water and squash will help keep you hydrated. If you feel well enough, you can have small, light meals; however, don't have fatty or spicy foods, or fizzy drinks, until you have recovered.
If you have a more severe infection, use an oral re-hydration solution (eg Dioralyte), which can be purchased from a pharmacist. This is a powder that is made up into a solution by adding water. It contains the right balance of sugars and salts for your body to encourage rehydration. Eat foods that are high in carbohydrates, such as rice or toast until you feel like you can eat as usual. Salty foods such as soup can help replace salt lost from your body.
Probiotics (foods containing live, beneficial bacteria) can help to reduce the duration of diarrhoea.
If your baby has gastroenteritis and you're breastfeeding, continue to breastfeed and give oral rehydration as well, if needed. A child with gastroenteritis will need to be drinking enough first before you encourage him or her to start eating again.
Medicines to stop diarrhoea such as loperamide (eg Imodium) are only recommended for adults. These medications slow down bowel movements, but have no effect on the excess fluid. Diarrhoea is only prevented temporarily until you stop taking these medicines, then the excess fluid will be passed as diarrhoea. However, they are useful if you absolutely need to travel and won't be near a toilet.
Your GP may prescribe a medicine to help you stop being sick called an anti-emetic. Anti-emetics can be helpful if you have severe vomiting. If you're in pain, take an over-the-counter painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always read the patient information that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice.
Gastroenteritis caused by viruses can't be treated with antibiotics. Your GP won't usually prescribe antibiotics for gastroenteritis. However, if your GP suspects that you have a bacterial infection, he or she may ask you for a faeces sample to send for laboratory testing, particularly if you have been travelling recently. The results will help to determine if you need antibiotics.
If you have lost so much fluid that you're very dehydrated, you may need to be admitted to hosptal so that fluids can be replaced directly into your bloodstream via a catheter into your vein (intravenously).
The best way to reduce your risk of catching gastroenteritis is to always wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet. It's also important to practise good food hygiene.
Make sure you have any necessary vaccinations before you travel to other countries and drink bottled water where necessary when abroad.
If you have gastroenteritis, you can help to prevent spreading the infection to others.
If you have gastroenteritis you may be infectious to others. Stay away from work, school or college for at least 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped. Children shouldn't go swimming for two weeks after the diarrhoea has stopped.
See our video about gastroenteritis:
For answers to frequently asked questions on this topic, see Common questions.
For sources and links to further information, see Resources.
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This information was published by Bupa's Health Information Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition. The content is intended only for general information and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional. For more details on how we produce our content and its sources, visit the About our Health Information page.
Publication date: September 2010
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