
What is gastroenteritis?
Gastroenteritis is inflammation of your stomach and intestines.
-
Gastroenteritis is usually caused by an infection with a virus or bacteria
-
You feel very sick to your stomach, throw up, and have diarrhea
-
Throwing up and diarrhea can lead to dehydration (not having enough water in your body), which is especially dangerous in old people and babies
-
To help prevent the spread of gastroenteritis, wash your hands after using the bathroom and avoid undercooked food
-
Gastroenteritis usually goes away on its own
-
You'll need extra fluids and sometimes drugs to help stop vomiting or diarrhea
-
Antibiotics don't usually help with gastroenteritis
What causes gastroenteritis?
What are the symptoms of gastroenteritis?
How can doctors tell I have gastroenteritis?
How do doctors treat gastroenteritis?
For adults with mild gastroenteritis, doctors will have you:
If you're a healthy adult, the kind of fluid and food really doesn't matter.
If your baby or young child has gastroenteritis, you should give them:
Oral rehydration fluids have the right balance of salts and minerals that babies and young children need.
For more severe gastroenteritis, doctors may:
How can I prevent gastroenteritis?
The following lower your chance of getting gastroenteritis:
-
Washing hands well after using the bathroom and before preparing food
-
Cooking meat and eggs thoroughly
-
Not eating food from street vendors while traveling
-
Trying not to swallow water while swimming in lakes and oceans
-
Getting your children the rotavirus vaccine
-
For babies, breastfeeding