The infection with the bacteria causes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and pain in the abdomen.
This is a common reason for diarrhea.
It can be serious if it causesdehydrationfrom diarrhea and/or vomiting and the symptoms last for several days or weeks.
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Bacterial vs.
Viral Gastroenteritis
Bacteria, viruses, and other organisms could cause gastroenteritis.
Bacteria and viruses can spread from person to person and from surfaces and contaminated food.
Causes
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and thesmall intestine.
It can be triggered by viruses, parasites, diseases, or bacteria.
In most cases, bacterial gastroenteritis is triggered by eating foods contaminated with bacteria (food poisoning).
Many types of bacteria can infect the digestive system and cause symptoms.
Some of the more common germs include:
Risk Factors
Anyone can develop gastroenteritis.
In some cases, the symptoms may come on within hours of eating food that’s contaminated with bacteria.
Diagnosis
For many people, infection with bacteria will cause diarrhea and/or vomiting for a few days.
Abdominal pain and cramps after eating or drinking and feeling tired are also common.
For children or babies, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider aboutdiarrhea and vomiting.
But if testing is done, astool samplemight be needed to check for bacteria.
It may take a day or two to get back the stool culture results.
These will be done as determined by a healthcare provider.
Taking over-the-counter (OTC) antidiarrhea medications might not be helpful.
Talk to a healthcare provider before tryingantidiarrheal medications.
Things to avoid eating include:
Needing care in the hospital is not common for bacterial gastroenteritis.
However, there are several steps that people can use toavoid bacterial infections.
Use separate utensils for raw and cooked meat, and store foods at the proper temperature.
Some bacterial infections may be spread from person to person.
Its important to take a stab at avoid passing the infection to other people.
Most infections will get better on their own and treatment is given at home with rest and fluids.
For some infections, antibiotic therapy will be needed.
Vomiting and diarrhea from bacterial gastroenteritis can be intense and lead to several days of feeling unwell.
Its important to keep an eye out for becoming dehydrated or feeling dizzy or lethargic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bacterial gastroenteritis is an acute condition.
It comes on after an infection with a germ.
The length of time symptoms last may be dependent on the key in of bacteria thats causing the infection.
Yes, bacterial gastroenteritis will usually go away on its own.
It may not always be obvious if nausea and vomiting are from a virus or from a bacteria.
However, viruses are more commonly spread during the colder months.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FoodNet 2015 Surveillance Report (Final Data).
Fleckenstein JM, Matthew Kuhlmann F, Sheikh A.Acute bacterial gastroenteritis.Gastroenterol Clin North Am.
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