Is acute gastroenteritis contagious?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on November 08, 2024
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Acute gastroenteritis is generally considered a self-limiting disease that is not contagious. The course of the disease is about a week, after which patients will gradually recover. Most patients with acute gastroenteritis have a history of unhygienic dietary practices, and the condition is caused by viral or bacterial infections. From a symptomatic perspective, the most obvious reasons for seeking medical advice are abdominal discomfort or abnormal stools. Abdominal discomfort can manifest as abdominal pain and bloating, with paroxysmal colic being relatively common in clinical practice. Of course, some patients also experience nausea and vomiting, with the vomit consisting of gastric contents and not accompanied by hematemesis, among other symptoms. Abnormal stools are often characterized by diarrhea, typically with an increased frequency of bowel movements, watery in nature, and possibly accompanied by bloody stools. The treatment of acute gastroenteritis generally focuses on symptomatic relief, including the consumption of easily digestible and clean foods. Treatment may include the use of gastroprotective agents, antispasmodics, and modifiers of the intestinal flora. Of course, if the patient has significant diarrhea, antidiarrheal medications may be added for symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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What department should I go to for acute gastroenteritis?

Symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever may indicate acute gastroenteritis. It is recommended to register for the Department of Gastroenterology, as acute gastroenteritis is primarily treated within this specialty. However, if the hospital does not have a Department of Gastroenterology, you can register for the Department of Internal Medicine for further examination and treatment. But if a large number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and pus cells are found in the stool, it is likely not acute gastroenteritis but bacterial dysentery, and it is advisable to register with the Department of Infectious Diseases or proceed to an infectious disease hospital for formal treatment.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Where to apply moxibustion for acute gastroenteritis?

Acute enteritis can be caused either by exposure to pathogenic wind, cold, and dampness, or by unclean diet and excessive consumption of raw and cold food. At this time, we would choose some acupoints with good effects, such as the Liangqiu point on our feet, for moxibustion. The Liangqiu point is mainly used to treat some acute conditions and is considered an Xi (cleft) point. During moxibustion, we can use either suspended moxibustion or ginger-separated moxibustion, both of which are effective. Additionally, we can also choose the Tianshu point on our abdomen. The Tianshu point is located on the abdomen and is the Mu (alarm) point of the large intestine; it can regulate acute gastroenteritis. Typically, we use suspended moxibustion for the Tianshu point. If the cold is particularly severe, we can also slice a thin piece of ginger, place it on top, and perform ginger-separated moxibustion. This helps to warm the meridians, dispel cold, relieve pain, and regulate gastroenteritis.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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How many days to get an IV for acute gastroenteritis?

Acute gastroenteritis can be divided into bacterial enteritis and gastroenteric flu. When this condition occurs, it is first necessary to conduct relevant examinations such as routine blood tests, C-reactive protein, and routine stool tests. After identifying the specific cause, targeted treatment can be administered. Generally, for mild acute gastroenteritis, treatment can be achieved through oral medication. If symptoms of severe vomiting and diarrhea are present, and normal eating is impossible, then infusion therapy is required. As for the duration of infusion therapy, it depends on the specific situation; generally, if it is not very severe, a complete cure can be achieved in two to three days. If the inflammation is more severe, and the patient is elderly, weak, or has underlying diseases, the duration of infusion therapy may be appropriately extended. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Peng Miao Yun
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Symptoms of acute gastroenteritis caused by Norovirus

Symptoms of acute gastroenteritis due to norovirus infection primarily involve gastrointestinal dysfunction and infection. The onset is usually sudden and often occurs in crowded places and communal dining settings. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, with diarrhea being a common symptom. Children frequently exhibit vomiting, while adults are more likely to experience abdominal pain and diarrhea. Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration, thus it is important to promptly replenish fluids and electrolytes to correct gastrointestinal dysfunction.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
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How long does acute gastroenteritis take to get better?

Acute gastroenteritis is one of the common diseases of the digestive system, and occurs more frequently in the summer and autumn seasons. During these seasons, the hot weather can lead to food spoilage. Additionally, people often like to eat cold drinks and use air conditioning, which can easily trigger acute gastroenteritis. It usually presents with symptoms such as intermittent abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating, and sometimes symptoms like fever and chills may also appear. In such cases, examinations like routine blood tests, stool tests, and C-reactive protein tests can be conducted to determine whether it is infectious diarrhea or a gastrointestinal type of cold, and then targeted treatment can be applied. How long it will take to recover depends on specific symptoms and the patient's medical history among other factors. Generally, for a gastrointestinal cold, symptoms typically alleviate in about 2-3 days; for bacterial gastroenteritis, recovery might take a bit longer, generally about 3-5 days. If the patient is elderly, frail, or has underlying conditions such as chronic bronchitis, heart failure, or diabetes, the recovery might take slightly longer, but generally it can still be cured.