GastroEast Physicians, Louisville, KY

Viral Gastroenteritis

Viral gastroenteritis is a very common cause of diarrhea. People that develop a bout of acute viral gastroenteritis will usually recover without incident and will only require oral fluid replacement as the self-limiting infection runs its course. Occasionally, especially in patients with lowered immune systems such as the elderly and infants, a patient will need to be brought into the hospital during a bout of viral gastroenteritis for intravenous fluid replacement.

Symptoms
Main symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms are headache, fever, and abdominal pain. The symptoms usually last for 2-7 days and then resolve on their own. If symptoms persist for more than one week or if signs of dehydration set in, a visit to a physician is warranted.

Causes
Many viruses can cause diarrhea and vomiting, but the following are common in this country:

1) Rotavirus: During the winter months, this is the most common viral intestinal infection in the US and is seen mostly among children 6 months to 2 years of age. Symptoms average 5-days duration. This infection can be passed from children to adults; and, again, the symptoms are self-limiting.

2) Adenovirus: Mainly seen in children also. Vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms. This infection is also self-limiting.

3) Norwalk virus: This virus affects people of all ages. This virus has been responsible for outbreaks on cruise ships. The infection is passed through contaminated food or water.

How is the infection spread?
These infections are spread from person to person and through close contact. Sharing food, drink, dinnerware, kissing, and touching unwashed hands are common methods for transmission of these viruses.

Viral gastroenteritis outbreaks occur in places where people are in close contact with one another. Nurseries, schools, nursing homes, prisons, college dormitories, restaurants, hotels, and cruise ships are common places where outbreaks occur.

Treatment
If a patient has symptoms of a viral gastroenteritis, oral fluid replacement is the most important treatment. Water is important, but make sure a drink such as Gatorade is also added to replace electrolytes lost in the stool. For children, special oral replacement solutions exist such as Pedialyte.

Signs of dehydration
Signs of dehydration are as follows: Weakness, dizziness, worsening dry mouth, dark yellow urine, lightheadedness, and fainting. If any of dinosaur these occur please call your doctor for advice.

If symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, a bacteria or parasite may be causing the infection, and a physician will need a stool sample to test for various non-viral pathogens. If the stool studies reveal a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be prescribed; however, antibiotics are of no use in viral intestinal infections. Fluid replacement and time will cure all viral intestinal infections.

On the road to recovery
As the infection passes and symptoms decrease, slow introduction of foods to the diet is appropriate. Start with a bland diet. Bananas, rice, apples, and toast are a good start. This is the so-called “BRAT” diet.

Weakness and fatigue are common complaints, so avoiding stress and getting plenty of rest are important. Rest assured, the infection will pass and a full recovery is expected.