Parasitic Diseases—Gastroenteritis

Also called: Stomach flu

Have you ever had the “stomach flu?” What you probably had was gastroenteritis – not a type of flu at all. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the U.S. The cause is often a norovirus infection. It spreads through contaminated food or water, and contact with an infected person. The best prevention is frequent hand washing.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever and chills. Most people recover with no treatment.

The most common problem with gastroenteritis is dehydration. This happens if you do not drink enough fluids to replace what you lose through vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration is most common in babies, young children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Bacterial gastroenteritis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Bland diet (Medical Encyclopedia)
• CMV – gastroenteritis/colitis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Stool Gram stain (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Viral gastroenteritis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• When you have nausea and vomiting (Medical Encyclopedia)
• When you or your child has diarrhea (Medical Encyclopedia)

Parasites are living things that use other living things – like your body – for food and a place to live. You can get them from contaminated food or water, a bug bite, or sexual contact. Some parasitic diseases are easily treated and some are not.

Parasites range in size from tiny, one-celled organisms called protozoa to worms that can be seen with the naked eye. Some parasitic diseases occur in the United States. Contaminated water supplies can lead to Giardia infections. Cats can transmit toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous for pregnant women. Others, like malaria, are common in other parts of the world.

If you are traveling, it’s important to drink only water you know is safe. Prevention is especially important. There are no vaccines for parasitic diseases. Some medicines are available to treat parasitic infections.

• Amebiasis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Amebic liver abscess (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Ascariasis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Creeping eruption (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Stool ova and parasites exam (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Taeniasis (Medical Encyclopedia)