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What are the Common Gastrointestinal Infections?

What are the Common Gastrointestinal Infections?

June 8, 2022
What are the Common Gastrointestinal Infections?

Common gastrointestinal infections can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and many other unpleasant symptoms. Most cases are due to viruses, with norovirus being the most common, whereas bacteria and parasites are also important contributors to acute and chronic gastrointestinal infections.

Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Infections

  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Loss of appetite and fever
  • Dehydration and muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Mucus or blood in the stool

Three Types of Gastrointestinal Infections

Gastrointestinal Infections
  • Bacterial gastrointestinal infections. It includes foodborne infections and food poisoning. This includes Salmonella and E. coli. Eating undercooked meat or drinking contaminated water may cause a risk of the condition.
  • Viral gastrointestinal infection.  Viral gastrointestinal infections are very common, and often people refer to these as the stomach flu.
  • Parasitic gastrointestinal infections. Intestinal helminths, worms, and protozoan parasites cause parasitic gastrointestinal infections. Contact with human feces in the soil can spread these parasites. Swimming in contaminated waters may also increase your risk of the condition.

The Common Gastrointestinal Infections

  1. Salmonella. Infections caused by E. coli are the leading cause of gastroenteritis and hospitalizations, as well as deaths.
  2. Campylobacter. These infections are common bacterial infections that can lead to short- and long-term illnesses. Muscle weakness can result from nerve damage and joint inflammation which are long-term complications.
  3. Escherichia coli. Many different types of E. coli can cause severe bacterial infections. Among the sources of E. coli are uncooked beef, unprocessed milk, contaminated produce, and water contaminated with human or animal waste.
  4. Clostridium difficile. It is usually contracted in hospitals or healthcare institutions. Immunocompromised patients and the elderly are at greater risk of infection.
  5. Helicobacter pylori. These are spiral-shaped bacteria that likely spread through unclean food, water, or eating utensils. Infection from H. pylori often leads to stomach ulcers and stomach cancer but does not always result in gastroenteritis.
  6. Shigella. It is a bacteria frequently found in water polluted with human feces. Infection with Shigella is called shigellosis or bacillary dysentery.
  7. Norovirus and Rotavirus. Typically, children are infected with Rotavirus more often than adults, and adults are more likely to be infected with Norovirus. There are often large outbreaks of norovirus at restaurants, hospitals, schools, and on cruise ships. These viruses are spread from person to person.
  8. Hepatitis A. It is a virus that can cause injury to the liver and is most commonly transmitted through the contamination of food or water by human feces.

Treatment for Gastrointestinal Infections

Treatment for gastrointestinal infection includes taking antibiotics and staying hydrated. Depending on your symptoms and the severity of your condition, your doctor may also recommend other treatment options. Typical medication for gastrointestinal infections includes antibiotics.

Nitazoxanide for Gastrointestinal Infection Treatment

Nitazoxanide is an oral prescription drug. It is an antiprotozoal agent used in treating gastrointestinal infections caused by the protozoa Cryptosporidium or Giardia. It works by interfering with the conversions of chemicals in the protozoan cell in producing energy. This stops the growth of the parasite that causes diarrhea.

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