Definition

Bacterial gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacteria or bacterial toxins (see also food poisoning).

Alternative Names

Infectious diarrhea - bacterial gastroenteritis; Acute gastroenteritis; Gastroenteritis - bacterial

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 large intestine, may also be present.

Risk factors are consumption of improperly prepared foods or contaminated water and travel or residence in areas of poor sanitation. The incidence is 1 in 1,000 people.

Related topics:

• Salmonella enteritis
• Shigella enteritis
• Staph aureus food poisoning
• Campylobacter enteritis
• E. coli enteritis  
• Food poisoning  

Symptoms

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloody stools

Signs and tests

• Stool culture positive for the organism that causes the infection
• White blood cells in the stool
• Examination of food for toxin and bacteria

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• Stool gram stain
• Fecal smear

Treatment

The objective of treatment is to replace fluids and electrolytes (salt and minerals) lost by diarrhea. Blood transfusions are rarely required.

Antibiotic or antimicrobial therapy is usually not indicated unless the rest of the body is affected. Ask your doctor before using any antidiarrheal medicines.

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, especially young children, who are unable to drink fluids due to nausea may need medical attention and intravenous fluids. People taking diuretics ("water pills") need to be cautious with diarrhea and may need to stop taking the medication during an acute episode, as directed by the health care provider.

Support Groups

Expectations (prognosis)

With most infections, symptoms improve with fluid and electrolyte replacement within a week. There are rare cases of patients with renal failure and even death due to the infection.

Complications

• Systemic infection
• Dehydration
• Anemia (low blood counts)
• Kidney failure (rare)
• Arthritis
• New onset of irritable bowel syndrome

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 provider if your child develops any signs of dehydration, even if it is only a few hours since the onset of illness.

Prevention

Proper handling, storage, and preparation of food -- in addition to good sanitation -- are principles of prevention.

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