Gastrointestinal DiseasesGastrointestinal infection, or infectious intestinal disease, affects as many is 1 in 5 people a year. Its name gives way to where the disease originates, in the intestinal tract or stomach. Most common symptoms of gastrointestinal infection, are diarrhea and vomiting, but the list can go on.
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Common Bacterial GI Infections
Campylobacter Infection
Campylobacter infects over 2 million people each year, and it's a leading cause of diarrhea and food-borne illness. Babies under 1 year old, teens, and young adults are most commonly affected. Transmission: The Campylobactor bacteria is usually transmitted via contaminated food or water and is found in many wild and domestic animals. There, the bacteria can be passed to their feces leading to food contamination. Commonly contaminated foods include:
Symptoms: When digested, the bacteria infects the gastronomical tract, attacking both the small and large intestines; causing symptoms like:
In some younger, weaker cases, the bacteria is not limited to just the gastronomical system. Campylobactor can enter the blood stream, otherwise known as bacteremia. |
What are bacterial infections? Visit our Bacteria page!
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Salmonella
Salmonella is the bacteria that causes Salmonellosis, which infects thousands of people a year. The reported number is 42,000, but because cases are rarely reported the actual number in the United States each year could be as much as 29 times greater. Transmission: Salmonella bacteria live in the intestines of animals and people, and is therefore usually transmitted through eating foods that have been contaminated by feces like:
Symptoms: Salmonellosis is classified as gastroenteritis, which is the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that involves the stomach and small intestine.After an incubation period of several hours to two days, symptoms appear and generally last four to seven days. These symptoms include:
However, a few varieties of salmonella bacteria can result in typhoid fever, which can be deadly in developing countries. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/salmonella/basics/symptoms/con-20029017 |
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Common Parasitic GI Infections
Giardiasis
Giardiasis, otherwise called Giardia, is a infection of the intestines caused by a protozoan parasite. Giardiasis is the most frequent cause of non-bacterial diarrhea in North America. Transmission: Giardia is transmitted by food or drinks tainted with animal or human feces. You can get giardia from:
Symptoms: You may get sick and then feel better, but in some cases the symptoms come and go. Sometimes giardiasis may not cause any symptoms. Symptoms include:
After a person is exposed to the parasite, it usually takes 7 to 10 days for the infection to develop, but it can take from 3 to 25 days or longer. You can pass the infection to others during the entire time you are infected. You may be infected for months, even if you don't have symptoms. |
Whats a parasite? Go to our Parasite page!
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Cryptosporidiosis:
Cryptosporidiosis is an illness caused by the tiny cryptosporidium parasites. After cryptosporidium enter your body, they make their way to your small intestine and eventually leave through feces. In most cases, Cryptosporidiosis lasts for a few weeks and causes diarrhea. However, in people with compromised immune systems, Cryptosporidiosis can be lief threatening. Transmission: Cryptosporidium infection (Cryptosporidiosis) occurs when you inject a single parasite. You can become infected by any contact with contaminated feces, usually by:
Symptoms: The first signs usually appear within a week of infection, and include:
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The figure shows maps of the United States for four years indicating incidence of reported cases of cryptosporidiosis per 100,000 population. Incidence was generally highest in the northern states.
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Common Viral GI Infections
Norovirus
Norovirus (other wise known as food poisoning or stomach flu) has been widely recognized for ruining vacations and infecting entire cruise ships. Over 90% of diarrhea outbreaks on cruise ships are caused by the norovirus. The CDC estimates that noroviruses are responsible for more than half of all food-borne disease outbreaks each year. Noroviruses are the most common cause of diarrhea in adults and the second most common cause in children because they are highly contagious. Transmission: Norovirus is also called food poisoning because the virus can be transmitted through food. Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause inflammation of the stomach and large intestine lining. Foods that are commonly contaminated are:
Symptoms: Most of the symptoms aren't serious but if not careful, vomiting and diarrhea can deplete your body from its vital nutrients.
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Whats a virus? Check out our page about viruses!
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Rotavirus
According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants worldwide. Before the vaccine, most children in the United States had at least one bout with Rotavirus before the age of 5. Transmission: Rotavirus is present in an infected person's stool up to a week before symptoms appear, and up to 10 days after symptoms leave. During this time, the virus is spread easily in hand to mouth contact. Symptoms:
Rotavirus can usually be treated at home by drinking lots of liquid and getting lots of rest, but in certain cases the symptoms become more dramatic. In children, you should go to the doctor if they have:
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