Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and intestines. The most common symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting. It's normally mild and most symptoms will go within a few days without treatment.

However, if symptoms are severe, or the person is vulnerable, due to age or other illness, hospital treatment may be needed. This is because the diarrhoea can quickly make the person dehydrated which, in the most severe cases, can be fatal.

How common is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is very common. Every year, around 20% of people in the UK are affected.

Deaths from it are common in the developing world and present a significant health problem. Deaths are rare in the UK, due to better levels of healthcare and nutrition and access to clean water.

Gastroenteritis can be caused by viral infections such as the norovirus or by a number of different bacteria. Typically, bacterial gastroenteritis develops as a result of food poisoning.

Treatment for gastroenteritis involves replacing the fluids lost by diarrhoea. In more serious cases, where a specific bacterial infection has been identified, antibiotics may be used.

Gastroenteritis is usually highly infectious

Most forms of gastroenteritis are highly infectious. It is therefore essential to practise good hygiene, such as washing your hands after going to toilet and before preparing food.

If you or your children have gastroenteritis, do not return to work, or let your children go to school or nursery, until 48 hours has passed since the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting.