What is Gastroenteritis or “Gastro”?
Gastroenteritis, commonly referred to simply as “Gastro”, is an infection of the gut (intestines). It can range from a mild tummy upset for a day or two, to severe diarrhoea and vomiting for several days or more. Many different viruses, bacteria and other microbes can cause gastroenteritis, though most cases are viral. Sometimes it is caused by eating food infected with bacteria i.e “food poisoning”- the most common culprits are Campylobacter, Salmonella and E.coli.
While it’s usually possible to manage Gastro at home with rest and rehydration, more severe cases may require medical attention. In this section we look at the symptoms of Gastroenteritis, causes, treatment and potential complications.
