From the Guidelines
Gastroenteritis is primarily caused by viral infections, with norovirus being the most common culprit, accounting for 58% of illnesses, followed by bacterial causes such as Salmonella enterica subspecies, which exceeds norovirus as a cause of hospitalization and death 1. The main reasons for gastroenteritis can be broken down into:
- Viral infections: norovirus and rotavirus are the most common causes, with norovirus being the leading pathogen among the 24 gastroenteritis pathogens transmissible by food that were assessed 1
- Bacterial causes: Salmonella enterica subspecies, Campylobacter, Shigella, Yersinia, and E. coli O157 are common bacterial pathogens that can trigger symptoms 1
- Food poisoning from contaminated food or water is a frequent source of gastroenteritis, particularly when food is improperly handled or stored
- Poor hygiene practices, especially inadequate handwashing, facilitate transmission of these pathogens
- Certain medications, particularly antibiotics, can disrupt gut flora and lead to gastroenteritis symptoms
- Environmental factors such as travel to regions with different sanitation standards (traveler's diarrhea) increase risk The inflammation these agents cause in the gastrointestinal tract results in the characteristic symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever. Most cases resolve within a few days with supportive care including hydration, though severe cases may require medical intervention, particularly in vulnerable populations like young children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems. Prevention measures such as hand hygiene, proper food preparation and storage, avoidance of high-risk foods, and use of infection prevention and control measures in hospitals, childcare, and nursing home settings can reduce the burden of acute gastroenteritis 1. The use of rotavirus vaccine in infants has been shown to decrease the incidence of rotavirus gastroenteritis and its associated complications 2.
From the Research
Gastroenteritis Causes
- Viral causes: rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus are common viral pathogens that cause gastroenteritis, spreading through the fecal-oral and contact routes 3
- Bacterial causes: Norovirus, Rotavirus, Campylobacter, and Salmonella are the most common pathogens causing infectious diarrhea in developed countries 4
- Parasitic causes: certain parasites can also cause gastroenteritis, although they are less common 5
Transmission and Risk Factors
- Contaminated food and water are common sources of transmission for bacterial and viral pathogens 4
- Person-to-person contact, especially in areas with poor sanitation, can also spread gastroenteritis-causing pathogens 4
- Immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of developing severe gastroenteritis 3
Prevention and Treatment
- Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is the main treatment for viral gastroenteritis, focusing on maintaining adequate hydration and electrolyte balance 5
- Vaccination is available for some bacterial pathogens, such as Vibrio cholerae, and is being developed for others like Shigella and ETEC 6
- Symptomatic therapy is still the most important component of treatment for infectious diarrhea, with empirical antibiotic therapy reserved for severely ill patients 7