What is viral gastroenteritis? - Raffles Medical Group

What is viral gastroenteritis?Gastroenteritis means inflammation of the stomach and small andlarge intestines. Viral gastroenteritis is an infection caused by avariety of viruses that results in vomiting or diarrhea or both. It isoften called the "stomach flu," although it is not caused by theinfluenza viruses.What causes viral gastroenteritis?Many different viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including rotaviruses,noroviruses, adenoviruses, type 40 or 41, sapoviruses, and astroviruses. Viralgastroenteritis is not caused by bacteria (such as Salmonella or Escherichia coli)or parasites (such as Giardia), or by medications or other medical conditions,although the symptoms may be similar. Your doctor can determine if the diarrheais caused by a virus or by something else.What are the symptoms of viral gastroenteritis?The main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are watery diarrhea and vomitingalthough one or the other symptom may predominate. The affected person mayalso have headache, fever, and abdominal cramps ("stomach ache"). In general,the symptoms begin 1 to 2 days following infection with a virus that causesgastroenteritis and may last for 1 to 10 days, depending on which virus causesthe illness; however, most episodes last from 1-3 days.Is viral gastroenteritis a serious illness?For most people, it is not. People who get viralgastroenteritis almost always recover completelywithout any long-term problems. Gastroenteritis is aserious illness, however, for persons who are unable todrink enough fluids to replace what they lose throughvomiting or diarrhea. Infants, young children, andpersons who are unable to care for themselves, suchas the disabled or elderly, are at risk for dehydrationfrom loss of fluids. Immune compromised persons areat risk for dehydration because they may get a moreserious illness, with greater vomiting or diarrhea. Theymay need to be hospitalized for treatment to correct orprevent dehydration.

How do you manage gastroenteritis?1. Drink plenty of clear fluids ONLY for 24 hours at least, and continue clearfluids ONLY until 24 hours after the diarrhoea has stopped.Clear fluids are those fluids you can see through if you hold them up to thelight, for example:• Lemonade• Weak black tea with sugar• Glucose & water• Cordial• Soup cube in hot water• Gastrolyte from the pharmacySugared drinks such as lemonade or cordial should be diluted to about 1:2-1:4 parts of water before consumption.You need plenty of fluids to replace the loss through vomiting & diarrhoea.Continue with plenty of fluids until fully recovered.2. No dairy products until completely better as they aggravate diarrhoea.3. Small amounts of a light diet consisting of foods which are low in fat & fibremay be begun 24 hours after the diarrhoea has stopped, for example:• Cooked & mashed vegetables• Chicken noodle soup or other clear broth• Lean meat or poultry• Stewed & pureed fruits• Plain biscuits• Boiled rice or potatoes• Bread/toast• BananasAvoid: Raw vegetables & fruit / wholegrain breads / muesli / milk desserts orspicy foods / fats4. Paracetamol - 2 tablets every 4 hours for fever or aches & pains.If absolutely necessary, add Maxolon or Stemetil to relieve the nausea, andLomotil or Imodium to relieve the diarrhea.NB - Please check with your doctor first before taking any of these medicinesmentioned.

If you remain unwell or have persistent diarrhoea, or severe abdominal pain,or continued abdominal pain in the same place, consult your doctor again.Appointments24 Hour Hotline: 6311 1222Fax: 6311 2136Email: specialist@raffleshospital.comWebsite: www.raffleshospital.com