Bacterial gastroenteritis
Alternative names:
acute gastroenteritis; gastrointestinal infection; infectious diarrhea
Definition:
An inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacteria or bacterial toxins. Also see food poisoning.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Many different types of bacteria can produce the symptoms associated with bacterial
gastroenteritis including Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium, E. coli, Yersinia and others. Some sources of the infection are improperly prepared food, reheated meat dishes, seafood, dairy, and bakery products. Each organism causes slightly different symptoms but all result in diarrhea. Colitis, inflammation of the colon, may also be present.
Risk factors are consumption of improperly prepared foods, contaminated water and travel or residence in areas of poor sanitation. The incidence is 1 out of 1,000 people.
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