What is a gastrointestinal infection?
Gastrointestinal infection is the term used for any of the viral, bacterial or parasitic infections which result in gastroenteritis. It is a health condition which results in the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and involves both the small intestine and the stomach. It is one of the most commonly reported infections in people worldwide. Mostly, the duration or longevity of the infection would depend on the causative agent but generally, it should subside within a few days. Many of these infections might not be severe and can be rapidly resolved while others can prove to be troublesome for patients.

Causes of a gastrointestinal infection
Gastrointestinal infection can be caused due to a large number of microbes existing in the stomach. The most common causes of this infection are:

• Adenovirus
• Campylobacter
• Clostridium difficile
• Escherichia coli
• Helicobacter coli
• Rotavirus
• Salmonella and Shighella
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Yersinia enterocolitica

The infection is found to spread mainly as a result of improper food consumption known as food-borne infection which leads to the microbes attacking your gastrointestinal tract. The infection can very easily spread from accidental indigestion of unhygienic and infected food items. Exposure to any of the causative potential microbes leads to the build-up of the symptoms of the infection.

Warning signs of a gastrointestinal infection
Gastrointestinal infection generally results in abdominal cramping which is then followed by diarrhea. A few of the signs of the infection are:

• A sudden loss of appetite
• A frequent feeling of nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Visible weight loss of the sufferer
• Pain in the abdomen
• Passage of blood or mucus in the person’s stool
• Recurring experience of dehydration

Contact your doctor for a consultation on observing these signs if they persist for a long period of time and get treated for gastrointestinal infection.

Methods used to treat gastrointestinal infections
You might be able to overcome many of the gastrointestinal infections without any specific treatment if you take precautions and care, especially when the causative agent is a virus. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated. This works as one of the best ways to end the suffering caused by this infection. In case your body is dehydrated, you might have to visit the hospital for intravenous fluids (IV) to replace the fluids that are lost because of diarrhea, vomiting or fever.

The doctor may also ask for a stool sample so as to figure out the type of infection that you are going through. Here, your body’s need for the medication will depend upon the germ that is causing the trouble for instance, for a parasitic infection; you will need an anti-parasitic drug to cure the illness.

A gastrointestinal infection can be treated successfully and is not a serious cause for worry. If you come across the issue, take the necessary precautions at home and if needed visit a doctor for relief.