Frequently asked questions about bacterial gastroenteritis

Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Gastroenteritis is an irritation of the digestive tract caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. This is a common condition, mainly caused by bacterial infection found in food or person-to-person contact.

Bacterial gastroenteritis occurs when bacteria cause an intestinal infection. This causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines. You may also experience symptoms such as vomiting, severe stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
While viruses cause many gastrointestinal infections, bacterial infections are also very common, also known as “food poisoning”.
Bacterial gastroenteritis can be caused by poor hygiene. Infection can also occur after close contact with animals or consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria (or toxic substances the bacteria produce).

Bacterial gastroenteritis symptoms vary depending on the type of bacteria causing your infection. Symptoms may include:
Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal pain and cramps Blood in your stool Fever See a doctor if symptoms do not improve after five days (two days for children). If a child older than three months continues to vomit after 12 hours, see a doctor. If a baby under three months has diarrhea or vomiting, take the child to a medical facility for examination and treatment.

Treatment aims to keep you hydrated and avoid complications. It is important not to lose too much salt, such as sodium and potassium. Your body needs these in certain amounts to function properly.
If you have severe bacterial gastroenteritis, you may be hospitalized and given intravenous fluids and salts. Antibiotics are usually reserved for the most severe cases.

Mild cases can be treated at home. Try the following:
Drink water regularly during the day, especially after diarrhea. Eat little and often, and include some salty foods. Eat or drink foods high in potassium, such as fruit juices and bananas. Do not take any medicine without consulting your doctor. Go to the hospital if you can't keep it down. Some ingredients you can have at home can help maintain electrolyte balance and treat diarrhea such as ginger, basil, apple cider vinegar, etc. to help soothe the stomach, relieve pain.
Avoid eating milk, fruits or foods rich in fiber to prevent diarrhea from getting worse.
Over-the-counter medications that help neutralize the acid in your stomach can help fight these infections. Medicines to treat symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and upset stomach can help ease the stress and pain of the infection. Do not use over-the-counter treatments unless directed by your doctor.
Causes of bacterial gastroenteritis
Many types of bacteria can cause gastroenteritis, including:
Yersinia, found in pork Staphylococcus, found in dairy products, meat and Shigella eggs, found in water (usually swimming pools) Salmonella , found in meat, dairy products and eggs Campylobacter , found in meat and poultry E. coli , found in ground beef and salads

Outbreaks of bacterial gastroenteritis can occur when restaurants serve contaminated food to many people. An outbreak can also trigger recalls of other products and foods.
Bacterial gastroenteritis can be easily transmitted from person to person if someone carries the bacteria on their hands. Every time an infected person touches food, objects, or other people, they run the risk of infecting others. You can even allow the infection to enter your body if you touch your eyes, mouth, or other open body parts with an infected hand.
You are especially at risk for these infections if you travel a lot or live in a crowded area. Washing your hands often and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with more than 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting infections from those around you.

If you already have gastroenteritis, take safety precautions to avoid spreading the bacteria to others.
Wash your hands after using the toilet and before handling food. Do not prepare food for others until your symptoms improve. Avoid close contact with others during illness. After symptoms stop, try to wait at least 48 hours before returning to work.
You can also help prevent bacterial gastrointestinal infections by avoiding unpasteurized milk, raw meat or raw shellfish. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked meat when preparing meals. Wash lettuce and vegetables thoroughly. Be sure to store foods at very hot or very cold temperatures if you are storing them for more than a few hours.
Other precautions include:
Keep your kitchen clean Wash your hands after using the toilet, before handling different foods, after touching animals and before eating and drinking. Bottled water when traveling abroad and vaccinations are recommended

If you have a weakened immune system due to an existing condition or treatment, you may be at increased risk for bacterial gastroenteritis. The risk is also increased if you take medicines that reduce the acidity in your stomach.
Improper food handling can also increase the risk of bacterial gastroenteritis. Undercooked foods, stored for too long at room temperature, or poorly reheated can support the spread and survival of bacteria.
Bacteria can produce harmful substances called toxins. These toxins can remain even after food is reheated.

Your doctor will ask questions about your condition and check for signs of dehydration and abdominal pain. To find out which bacteria are causing your infection, you may be asked to provide a stool sample for analysis.
Your doctor may also take a blood sample to check for dehydration.

Bacterial gastrointestinal infections rarely cause complications in healthy adults and usually last less than a week. Older adults or young children are more susceptible to the symptoms of gastroenteritis and have a higher risk of complications. These individuals should be monitored closely, as they may need medical attention.
Complications of these infections include high fever, muscle pain, and inability to control bowel movements. Some bacterial infections can cause your kidneys to fail, bleeding in your intestines, and anemia.
Some severe infections left untreated can cause brain damage and death. Quickly seeking treatment for bacterial gastroenteritis reduces the risk of these complications.

Children may be more susceptible to bacterial gastrointestinal infections than adults. For example, a 2015 report states that children in the United States under the age of one are more likely to be infected with salmonella. Most salmonella infections occur when children consume contaminated food or water or come into contact with animals that carry the bacteria. Young children are also more likely to get an infection from Clostridium difficile. These bacteria are mainly found in dirt and animal feces.
Children are more likely to get infections from these bacteria. However, like adults, children are susceptible to bacterial infections. Make sure your child practices good hygiene, washing their hands often, and avoiding putting dirty hands in their mouth or near their eyes. Wash your hands after changing your baby's diaper. Wash and prepare foods thoroughly, cooking raw dishes such as eggs, vegetables, and meat until they are done.
Many symptoms of bacterial infections in children are the same as those in adults. Young children are especially susceptible to diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. A single symptom of a baby with this infection is a dry diaper. If your child doesn't need a diaper change for more than six hours, they may become dehydrated. Talk to your doctor right away if your child has any of these symptoms. If your child has diarrhea or other related symptoms, make sure they drink plenty of fluids.

After seeking treatment or medical attention, get plenty of rest to help your body fight the infection. If you have diarrhea or vomiting, drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Do not eat any milk or fruit to avoid making the diarrhea worse. Swallowing ice cubes can be helpful if you are unable to keep food or water down.
Outbreaks of these bacterial infections can occur on foods sold in many grocery stores. Stay up-to-date on publicized bacterial outbreaks on certain foods.
Bacterial gastrointestinal infections usually last one to three days. In some cases, the infection can last for weeks and be harmful if left untreated. Seek treatment as soon as you have symptoms of an infection to stop the spread of infection. With good medical care and proper treatment, your infection will likely go away in a few days.
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Vinmec Hospital with modern facilities and equipment and a team of experienced experts, always dedicated to providing care and treatment patients, customers can rest assured with gastroscopy and esophagoscopy services at Vinmec International General Hospital.

References
Bacterial gastroenteritis. (2016). Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001300/ Bacterial gastroenteritis (2016) fairview.org/healthlibrary/Article/89211 Campylobacteriosis. (2015, July 10) wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2016/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/campylobacteriosis Diseases and conditions: Gastroenteritis (2016) my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_Gastroenteritis Gastrointestinal infections and diarrhea (2015, September) kidshealth.org/en/teens/diarrhea.html