{"id":5333,"date":"2019-04-11T06:19:06","date_gmt":"2019-04-11T06:19:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=5333"},"modified":"2021-05-31T23:54:15","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T23:54:15","slug":"a14-early-signs-of-gastroenteritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/a14-early-signs-of-gastroenteritis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Early Signs of Gastroenteritis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Viral and bacterial gastroenteritis is an infection of the digestive system brought about by contact with a pathogen. Various types of bacteria and viruses cause gastroenteritis, and each presents slightly different variations in the intensity of symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s possible to catch gastroenteritis by coming into contact with an infected person. They may be handling your food at a restaurant and pass on the bacteria or virus to your meal, with you remaining unsuspecting. Shaking hands with an infected person may also place you at risk of contracting the disease, and eating raw or undercooked meat, or unwashed fruit and vegetables is also another prime cause of gastroenteritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gastroenteritis symptoms don\u2019t appear immediately after infection, it takes a few days for the virus or bacteria to spread in the digestive system, and symptoms typically only manifest after two to three days. The disease usually lasts for 48 to 72-hours and requires no medical intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight early warning signs of gastroenteritis, and what you can expect from contracting the disease.
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1.    A Friend or Family Member Gets Sick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The viruses and bacteria that lead to gastroenteritis <\/a>transfer from the body fluids of infected individuals to food and surfaces where others come in contact with the microscopic pathogens. If you went out to eat at a restaurant a few days ago, and one of the family members starts to complain about a sore tummy, the chances are they\u2019ve contracted some form of gastroenteritis infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rest of the family may brush it off as a harmless stomach bug, or some other unrelated condition. As a result, the infected individual goes around the house, touching the TV remote and the fridge door \u2013 unknowingly spreading the virus and bacteria that cause gastroenteritis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the rest of the family touches these surfaces as well, contracting the pathogens that cause the disease. Should you notice anyone in your family developing symptoms of stomach pain, its best to quarantine them in their bedroom until they recover.
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2.    Lack of Appetite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the infection starts to intensify, the infected individual may notice that their appetite <\/a>disappears entirely. It\u2019s challenging to think about food when your stomach starts to feel sick. Those people experiencing bouts of viral or bacterial gastroenteritis will likely refuse to eat until the symptoms pass, and the infection is on the decline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, after the infection subsides, it\u2019s critical that those infected individuals start eating again as soon as possible. It\u2019s important to note that the food you eat in the recovery phase plays a significant role in how long your symptoms hand around. Gorging on fast food or snacks is not an ideal meal for your first bite to eat after dealing with gastroenteritis. These foods increase inflammation of the intestinal wall, leading to further symptoms of bloating, gas, and discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try eating fermented foods like sauerkraut or kimchi. These foods contain live probiotic enzymes and prebiotic fiber that increase the amount of healthy flora in your digestive system.
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3.    Cramping, Bloating, and Stomach Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the infection starts to present symptoms, one of the initial signs of gastroenteritis <\/a>is a slow progression of bloating and gas that leads to cramping and stomach pain. These symptoms vary in their intensity depending on the strain of the virus or bacteria infecting the person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people experience violent symptoms of bloating and gas straight away, while others may take 12 to 18-hours to notice the full extent of these symptoms. Cramping and bloating makes the person feel lethargic, and they may be unable to walk or get out of bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During this stage of the infection, it\u2019s best for patients to remain in bed and ride out the effects of the symptoms. Since viral or bacterial gastroenteritis has no cure, the infected individual will have to let the pathogens work its way out of their system by itself. In most cases, these symptoms of bloating and cramping start to subside after 24 to 48-hours.
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4.    Nausea and Vomiting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After the initial signs of bloating and cramps start to show up in the infected person, the next stage of gastroenteritis is the development of nausea symptoms. Nausea <\/a>describes an unsettling feeling in your stomach that leads to feelings of pain \u2013 like someone is squeezing your tummy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nausea makes the person start to feel like vomiting, and it\u2019s a matter of time before they rush to the bathroom to empty the contents of their stomachs. Vomiting symptoms occur even when there is no food in your stomach. Vomiting without bringing anything up is known as \u201cdry heaving.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place a bucket next to the bed of the infected person, so they don\u2019t have to run to the bathroom every five minutes when they feel nauseous. Infected persons should consider using anti-nausea medication at this stage to help them cope with the feelings of nausea and vomiting. Be careful when handling the bucket and disposing of its contents to prevent infection.
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5.    Diarrhea and Dehydration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Other than vomiting, diarrhea <\/a>is a classic sign of gastroenteritis infection. The infected individual may experience violent bouts of diarrhea where the body only expels fluids. Diarrhea can become a dangerous situation for the infected person. The body attempts to flush out the digestive system, drawing water into the bowels and expelling it through diarrhea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diarrhea can dehydrate an infected person quickly, so it\u2019s important to remember to keep drinking fluids after each bowel movement to replace the water that your body is losing. Along with the water loss, the patient also depletes stores of vital minerals such as electrolytes, sodium, potassium, and calcium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there are rehydration supplements you can add to your water to replenish your mineral and electrolyte stores. Should the infected individual fail to rehydrate themselves, they run the risk of developing seizures that could result in them falling into a coma. Avoid drinking sports drinks as the extra sugar will upset your stomach further.
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6.    Lack of Sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The symptoms of stomach cramps from contracting gastroenteritis – range from mild to severe, depending on the type of pathogen and the digestive health of the patient. Those with healthy gastrointestinal systems may experience less pain and clear the infection faster than those individuals with poor gut health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of severe pain symptoms, the patient may find it difficult to fall asleep at night, resulting in a temporary bout of insomnia<\/a>. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation does not do your recovery any good, and the affected person may notice that they start to enter the next stage of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we sleep, our brain clears the neurological pathways of toxins built up during the day. When we don\u2019t get enough sleep, we feel tired and lethargic due to an accumulation of the toxins in the brain. As a result, the patient may not be able to think clearly and have trouble making decisions.
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7.    Muscle Ache and Fever<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When we get sick due to bacterial or viral infection, our body turns up the heat to kill off the disease. As a result, the infected individual starts to develop a fever. The intensity of the temperature depends on the type of pathogen <\/a>causing the gastroenteritis infection. In most cases, the patient receives a mild fever, but in some cases, the affected individual may experience a high temperature that results in delirium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the brain notices an infection, it signals the hypothalamus to increase the production of pyrogens. Pyrogens are enzymes that attach to nerve endings, increasing your body\u2019s internal temperature setpoint. As a result, the person starts to develop signs of a fever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, doctors will let a fever run unless it reaches a dangerous temperature where it may start to induce seizures. Fevers are your body\u2019s natural defense against infection, and its best to let them run their course to get rid of the bacteria or virus causing gastroenteritis.
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8.    Muscle Ache<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Along with the fever symptoms, infected individuals may notice that they start to develop symptoms of muscle and joint aches as well. When the brain sees the first signs of infection, it signals the immune system<\/a> to release antibodies to combat the illness. The immune system also ramps up the production of white blood cells to battle the invading pathogen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the white blood cells take a toll on all of the other surrounding tissues, resulting in sensations of aching muscles and joints as the body attempts to fight off the infection. Paracetamol provides some relief for symptoms of aching joints and muscles, but you should try and persist without any medication, as the fever will eradicate the virus or bacteria quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These symptoms typically fade after the fever breaks. At this stage, the infected person has gone through the worst of the condition, and they should start to recover from the illness while symptoms begin to subside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Unable to Keep Liquids Down<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are suffering from bacterial or viral gastroenteritis, experience violent bouts of vomiting <\/a>and diarrhea. In most cases, these symptoms are typical and subside after the infection peaks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dehydration is the primary concern for patients that start exhibiting these symptoms. After vomiting or a bowel movement, the patient needs to replace the lost fluids, minerals and electrolytes to prevent an imbalance occurring. Should they fail to meet the hydration demands of the body, they run the risk of developing seizures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some patients may find it next to impossible to keep liquids down. This symptom typically occurs in advanced infections, and in most cases, the patient is eventually able to surpass these symptoms. However, should they still fail to be able to keep liquids down after 48-hours, it’s best to send the patient to the hospital for treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the hospital, the patient receives IV fluids to ensure their body stays hydrated.
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10. Infants Seem Lethargic or Irritable<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Babies are at higher risk of developing viral or bacterial gastroenteritis because they are still developing their immune systems<\/a>. Weak immune function in children means that their bodies have little defense against invading pathogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, infants can\u2019t speak, and the only way they can let their parents know that something is wrong \u2013 is by crying persistently. Most babies cry during the day at some stage, this is an entirely normal part of being an infant, and their parents might not take much notice of the child’s complaint until the baby\u2019s crying becomes persistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, crying is not the only sign of gastroenteritis infection in infants. Some kids may develop symptoms of lethargy and exhibit signs of irritation. If you find that your baby is less active than usual, it could be a sign of many different health disorders. However, when lethargy includes crying, then your child could be suffering from gastroenteritis.
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11. Blood in Bowel Movements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diarrhea <\/a>is a common symptom of gastroenteritis. The affected patient may notice they start to develop signs of stomach discomfort a few hours after eating tainted food or coming in contact with a surface contaminated by bacteria or viral material. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, the invading pathogen may take up to 48-hours to incubate in the digestive tract before showing signs of severe infection. As the virus or bacteria start to spread in the gut, the patient will begin to feel a buildup of gas that starts to bloat their abdominal wall. The increase in gas pressure in the digestive system starts to yield sensations of pain and cramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the gastroenteritis starts to reach its peak, the patient will begin to experience diarrhea., which increases in intensity for the next 12 to 24-hours before subsiding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some patients may experience bloody stools due to the effects of diarrhea on the tissues in the rectum causing bleeding, or from digestive system trauma.
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12. Causes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most common cause of bacterial or viral gastroenteritis is drinking or eating contaminated food and beverages, as well as touching surfaces that host the live virus<\/a>. Most people get gastroenteritis due to eating at a restaurant where one of the staff has an infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This infected person transfers the virus to the food by not washing their hands after using the bathroom. The virus transfers to the fingers and hands, and then to the plate. Coming in contact with a contagious individual is also a leading cause of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may touch a contaminated surface, such as the TV remote or the fridge door, or you could also get the virus from opening a public bathroom door handled by an infected person on their way into the restroom to use the toilet to handle an attack of diarrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Norovirus and rotavirus are the most common viral strains responsible for gastroenteritis infection.
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13. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with any other disease, gastroenteritis has a set of risk factors<\/a> that make some individuals at higher risk of catching the disease than others. If you find yourself in the high-risk group for catching gastroenteritis infection, then it’s best that you take precautionary steps to reduce your risk profile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People are at higher risk of contracting gastroenteritis infection are;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People that work in a restaurant or visit fast food establishments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individuals that come in contact with people regularly at work or during their social activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children and parents that have kids in nursery school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with immune system problems. Such as those people who are living with autoimmune disorders, or HIV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seniors are at high risk due to diminished immune function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each strain of virus or bacteria responsible for causing gastroenteritis infection has a season where it’s active. For those people that live in the Northern hemisphere, the danger season is between the months of October and April.
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14. Prevention Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gastroenteritis is an incredibly infectious and contagious disease. If someone in your family comes down with the condition, then there\u2019s a good chance that you will end up contracting the virus or bacteria <\/a>responsible for the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, its best to understand these prevention tips for avoiding infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most kids receive vaccination against gastroenteritis infection a few months after birth. While this strategy may not always prevent infection, it helps with preventing the more severe symptoms of the disease. However, many parents now believe in the \u201canti-vax\u201d campaign sweeping through social media, leaving their kids at risk of contracting preventable diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personal hygiene. Washing your hands after you use the toilet, and frequently throughout the day, is an excellent strategy to prevent contracting the disease. Always wash your hands before you eat your meals, especially if you\u2019re at a restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should someone in your household become infected, make sure you disinfect the toilet after every bowel movement to prevent infection in the rest of the family.
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