Gastro-intestinal infections

Overview

Gastro-intestinal infections are often caused by viruses or bacteria. The typical symptoms are abdominal pain and diarrhoea, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. The infection usually heals by itself after a few days; it is important to drink plenty of fluids.

Symptoms

Main symptoms

• Stomach ache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

Other symptoms

• Fever
• Feeling unwell and weak
• Joint pain
  

Causes and treatment

Causes

• Bacteria (e.g. campylobacter, Yersinia, etc.)
  • From eating contaminated food (eggs, poultry, meat products, raw milk)
• Viruses (e.g. norovirus, rotavirus, etc.)
  • Human-to-human transmission
• More seldom caused by fungi or parasites
• Certain medications weaken the wall of the gut and can promote infection

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Blood test
• Stool analysis (search for bacteria)

Possible therapies

• Intravenous infusions
• Antibiotics for bacteria

What can I do myself?

• Drink plenty of fluids (water, tea, electrolyte solutions from the pharmacy)
• “Rest your bowel”: avoid solid food and only drink fluids for a short while (max. 1 day)
• Food hygiene: store food at the correct temperature, wash vegetables well, stick to the use-by date

When to see a doctor?

• Vomiting and diarrhoea for more than two days
• High fever
• Severe abdominal pain
• Blood or pus in your stool
• Muscle cramps, disorientation, sleepiness or circulatory disorders
• Symptoms appear up to three weeks after a visit to the tropics
• All babies with diarrhoea, vomiting and fever

Synonyms

Gastro-intestinal infections