Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and the intestines) is a common and infectious disease that is usually caused by a viral infection but may also be caused by parasites or bacteria. The disease may be caught by coming into contact with someone who's already been infected or through ingesting contaminated food or water.

This unpleasant disease causes symptoms of abdominal cramps, watery diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and occasionally fever. The condition usually clears up without treatment within a few days to a week; however, severe diarrhoea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, which can be particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly, so medical advice may be necessary.

Prevention is the key to avoiding this infectious disease; anyone affected should stay home from school or work to avoid spreading the infection, and should follow strict hygiene measures including frequent hand washing and disinfecting toilets after use.

In this section, you can learn about some of the causes of gastroenteritis, its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, along with some tips on how to avoid it.