Gastroenteritis

Subject: Midwifery III (Theory)

Overview

Gastroenteritis is an intestine illness characterized by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and, in some cases, fever. The most common route to contract viral gastroenteritis, often known as stomach flu, is by contact with an infected person or ingestion of contaminated food or water. Although it is usually referred to as stomach flu, gastroenteritis is not the same as influenza. This is the most prevalent cause of viral gastroenteritis in children, who become sick when they put contaminated fingers or other things into their mouths. The infection is particularly severe in newborns and young children.

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the intestine that causes watery diarrhea, abdominal pains, nausea or vomiting, and, in some cases, fever.

Contact with an infected person or ingestion of contaminated food or drink is the most common way to contract viral gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu. If you're otherwise healthy, you should be able to recuperate without incident. However, viral gastroenteritis can be fatal in infants, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems.

Symptoms

Vomiting, nausea, or both
Muscle pains or headaches occasionally
Fever of low intensity
Has a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius) or higher
Seems sluggish or irritable
Is in a lot of pain or discomfort
Is there bloody diarrhea?
Look for signs of dehydration in unwell infants and children by comparing how much they drink and urinate to what is usual for them.

Causes

Noroviruses: Noroviruses, the most common cause of foodborne illness worldwide, harm children.
Rotavirus: This is the most prevalent cause of viral gastroenteritis in children, who become sick when they put their contaminated fingers or other things into their mouths. Worldwide, the infection is most severe in newborns and young children.

Pre disposing Factors

Bottle feeding is sometimes known as artificial feeding.
In the nursery, inappropriate handling techniques are used.
Poor hygiene on the part of the mother and caregiver.

Treatment and Management

Milk feeding will be discontinued.
Oral rehydration solution is initiated; provide 2.5 percent dextrose in one-fifth strength normal saline or half-strength Hartman's solution in 5 percent dextrose for oral feeding.
The total fluid intake should be 175-200 mg/kg body weight per day, given in 2-3 hours intervals.
If the baby is dehydrated or unable to accept fluids orally, IV fluid is required.
Antibiotics are administered, however, they have little application in the treatment of diarrhea.
Breastfeeding is resumed once diarrhea has been managed. Alternately, half-strength skimmed milk should be given before resuming normal milk feeds.

Things to remember

Viral gastroenteritis is an infection of the intestine that causes watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and, in rare cases, fever.
Contact with an infected person or ingestion of contaminated food or drink is the most common way to contract viral gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu.
If you're otherwise healthy, you should be able to recuperate without incident.
However, viral gastroenteritis can be fatal in infants, the elderly, and persons with compromised immune systems.
Although usually referred to as stomach flu, gastroenteritis is not the same as influenza.
This is the most prevalent cause of viral gastroenteritis in children, who become sick when they put their contaminated fingers or other things into their mouths.
Infants and young children are more vulnerable to the virus.
An oral rehydration solution is initiated; 2.5 percent dextrose is administered.
Breastfeeding is resumed once diarrhea has been managed.
Alternately, half-strength skimmed milk should be given before resuming normal milk feeds.
For oral administration, e in one-fifth strength normal saline or half strength Hartman's solution in 5% dextrose.

Questions and Answers

Define gastroenteritis.

An intestinal infection known as viral gastroenteritis is characterized by watery diarrhea, cramping in the abdomen, nausea or vomiting, and occasionally fever.

Viral gastroenteritis, sometimes known as the stomach flu, is most frequently contracted by direct contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water. You'll probably recover smoothly if you're otherwise healthy. Viral gastroenteritis, however, has the potential to be fatal in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

List the symptoms of gastoenteritis?

Although it's commonly called stomach flu, gastroenteritis isn't the same as influenza.

Nausea, vomiting or both.
Occasional muscle aches or headache.
Low-grade fever.
Has a fever of 102 F (38.9 C) or higher.
Seems lethargic or very irritable.
Is in a lot of discomfort or pain.
Has bloody diarrhea.
Seems dehydrated, watch for signs of dehydration in sick infants and children by comparing how much they drink and urinate with how much is normal for them.

What are the Treatment and management of gastroenteritis ?

It is necessary to halt milk-feeding.
Start by giving an oral rehydration solution that contains 2.5% dextrose in a fifth-strength normal saline solution or half-strength Hartman's solution in a 5% dextrose solution.
Total fluid intake should be 175-200 mg/kg body weight per day, delivered at intervals of 2-3 hours.
IV fluid is crucial if the infant is dehydrated or is unable to consume fluid orally.
Although they can be administered, antibiotics are rarely used to treat diarrhea.
Breastfeeding can resume once the diarrhea has been controlled. Alternately, skim milk at half strength should be given before resuming the regular milk feeds.