Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, also known as infectious diarrhea, is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract including the stomach and intestine ^[1]. It is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the stomach and/or small intestine . Acute gastroenteritis is a common infectious disease syndrome causing a combination of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain .

Affected individuals typically experience diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, with possible fever, fatigue, and dehydration that usually resolve within two weeks ^[1][3]. In pediatric populations, acute presentation includes nausea, vomiting, fever, or abdominal pain, and severity of dehydration can be assessed through physical examination using standardized scales ^[3]. Most infections are self-limited, though young children may face higher risks of clinically significant fluid loss ^[3][2].

It is estimated that there were 4.67 billion cases of gastroenteritis that resulted in 1.17 million deaths globally in 2021 ^[1]. Children and those in the developing world are most commonly affected ^[1]. As of 2011, in those younger than five, there were about 1.7 billion cases resulting in 0.7 million deaths, with most occurring in the world's poorest nations ^[1]. Approximately 120,000 of these fatalities are due to rotavirus in children under five years of age ^[1]. In the United States, there are more than 350 million cases of acute gastroenteritis annually and 48 million of these are caused by foodborne bacteria .

Transmission may occur from drinking contaminated water or when people share personal objects ^[1]. Worldwide, bottle-feeding of babies with improperly sanitized bottles is a significant cause ^[1]. Transmission rates are also related to poor hygiene, especially among children, in crowded households, and in those with poor nutritional status ^[1]. Adults who have developed immunities might still carry certain organisms without exhibiting symptoms and thus can become natural reservoirs ^[1]. Eating improperly prepared food, drinking contaminated water, or having close contact with an infected person can spread the disease ^[1].

For young children in impoverished countries, prevention includes hand washing with soap, drinking clean water, breastfeeding babies instead of using formula, and proper disposal of human waste ^[1]. The rotavirus vaccine is recommended as a prevention for children ^[1]. A supply of easily accessible uncontaminated water and good sanitation practices are important for reducing rates of infection ^[1]. Personal hygiene measures such as hand washing with soap decrease rates of gastroenteritis by as much as 30% ^[1], and alcohol-based gels may also be effective ^[1]. Food or drink thought to be contaminated should be avoided ^[1]. Breastfeeding is important, especially in places with poor hygiene, as it reduces both frequency and duration of infections ^[1].

1. 1 Wikipedia contributors. Gastroenteritis - Wikipedia [Internet]. Wikipedia. cited 23 Oct 2026. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroenteritis
2. 2 Fleckenstein JM et al. Acute Bacterial Gastroenteritis. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2021 Jun. PMID: 34024442. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.002. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34024442/
3. 3 Hartman S et al. Gastroenteritis in Children. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Feb 1. PMID: 30702253. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30702253/
4. 4 Wikidata contributors. gastroenteritis [Internet]. Wikidata. cited 23 Oct 2026. Available from: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q156103
5. 5 Graves NS et al. Acute gastroenteritis. Prim Care. 2013 Sep. PMID: 23958366. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2013.05.006. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23958366/