Gastroenteritis symptoms are the result of an inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This inflammation can irritate both the stomach and the small intestine and can leave you with an irritating case of acute diarrhea or even vomiting. If you are particularly unlucky, you may experience both.
Gastroenteritis symptoms can include stomach pain or spasms, diarrhea, vomiting, and even inflammatory infections of the colon. It is generally thought that the root of this problem is most often by an infection which is commonly caused by viruses and bacteria.
Gastroenteritis caused by a virus may leave you with symptoms lasting one or two days. On the other hand, bacterial cases can last for a much longer period of time. These infectious organisms are very contagious and can spread through contaminated food or water, even though in up to 50% of the outbreaks of diarrhea, no specific infectious organism is ever found. So how can you get these belly bugs? Well, one of the most common methods is through improper hand washing techniques. Failure to thoroughly wash your hands after a visit to the bathroom can lead to way more stomach upset than you want. Wash your hands every time that you go to the bathroom, particularly following a bowel movement. The same is true after you handle a poopy diaper.
Gastroenteritis symptoms are categorized into two distinct groups. These groups are divided into the common symptoms and the more serious symptoms of gastroenteritis. The common symptoms includes, a low grade fever, nausea with or without vomiting, mild-to-moderate diarrhea and crampy, painful abdominal bloating. The more serious symptoms include blood in the vomit or stool, vomiting for more than 48 hours, running a fever higher than 101°F, swollen abdomen, abdominal pain, dehydration, lightheadedness, decreased urination, dry skin, dry mouth and lack of sweat and tears.
Most often gastroenteritis is self-limiting, but it can cause more serious problems with dehydration, particularly in the very young or even those of a more advanced age. Vomiting blood or having bloody or black bowel movements are not normal, and you should seek emergency care. An increasing fever, increasing severity of abdominal pain, and persistent symptoms should not be ignored. You should seek medical care before symptoms continue to worsen.