Pathophysiology: Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection where inflammation of the stomach and intestines occur from a virus. It is also known as “stomach flu”. This infection may lead to watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and fever. It occurs by contact with a diseased person or by intake of contaminated food or water.Clinicians have categorized it into: Sporadic gastroenteritis, Epidemic gastroenteritis (food-borne or water-borne pathogens), and Acute gastroenteritis.
Disease Statistics: In 2007, In The Netherlands, approximately 80% of gastroenteritis outbreaks reported to municipal health services are caused by Noroviruses. NV is the key gastroenteritis pathogen associated with all cases of acute gastroenteritis in Netherland. In industrialized countries, such as the Netherlands, the associated mortality is low, but morbidity remains high. Annually, 4.5 million episodes of gastroenteritis occur in the Netherlands. For children under age 5 years, more than half have at least one episode each year.
Treatment: Viral gastroenteritis is diagnosed by physical exam such as stool sample to test for virus. There are no specific medical treatments and initially it involves lot of self-care measures. Antibiotics aren’t effective against viruses. The illness may be due to parasitic or bacterial infection. Primary goal is to prevent dehydration by providing enough water and fluids to the diseased body. Food is offered in small amounts. In case of small children, food is supplied intravenously.
Research: Research was supported by Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.