Bacterial gastroenteritis
Alternative names:
acute gastroenteritis; gastrointestinal infection; infectious diarrhea
Treatment:
The objective of treatment is to replace fluids and electrolytes (salt and minerals) lost by diarrhea.
Antibiotic or antimicrobial therapy is usually not indicated unless systemic involvement is present. Antidiarrheal medications are generally not given because they may prolong the infectious process.
Self-care measures to avoid dehydration include drinking electrolyte solutions to replace fluids lost by diarrhea and eating no solid food until the diarrhea has passed. People with diarrhea who are unable to take oral fluids due to nausea may need medical attention and intravenous fluids, especially in young children. People taking diuretics need to be cautious with diarrhea and may need to stop taking the diuretic during the acute episode as directed by the health care provider.
Expectations (prognosis):
With most infections, symptoms improve with fluid and electrolyte replacement within a week.
Complications:
Calling your health care provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if diarrhea recurs or persists for more than a week, or if there is blood in stools. Infants and young children become dehydrated more rapidly than adults. Call your health care provider if your infant or child develops any signs of dehydration even if it is only a few hours since the onset of illness.
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