Gastrointestinal viral diseases are quite common in both adults and children. These diseases are caused by viral infections, which means that they cannot be cured with medications. Doctors can treat secondary infections or treat the symptoms of these viral infections, but they cannot prescribe a treatment that will cure the virus. Viral infections need to run their course before the patient will feel better.
Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastric upset (gastroenteritis) around the world. This virus is easily spread through food and drink or contact with surfaces that have the virus living on them. Norovirus causes a low fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
This virus causes diarrhoea and other gastric symptoms. This is a very contagious virus that impacts infants and children worldwide. Adults can also catch this virus. The Rotavirus causes belly pain, fever, dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The diarrhoea phase of this virus lasts for 5-7 days.
Astrovirus causes gastroenteritis in adults and children. Diarrhoea that is caused by this virus is milder than some of the other viral gastric infections. Nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, loss of appetite, body aches, and fever are common with astrovirus infections.
Viruses can be contracted through contact with surfaces that have the virus on them, and also through contact with the stool or vomit produced by someone who has these viral infections. People who live with someone who has this kind of illness are very likely to contract these viral infections through proximity and caring for the sick person. Day-cares and schools are also common places where contact between students leads to these viruses being highly contagious.
The risk factors that are related to catching these viruses are:
Diagnosis of these viruses is often made based on taking a complete medical history of the patient. Your doctor might take a stool culture to test for the virus if they are not sure which virus is causing symptoms. There are some blood tests that can be done to look for antibodies for different kinds of viruses as well.
If there are secondary infections or other complications that are present and which are related to the viral infection, your doctor might perform other tests to verify the course of treatment that is needed for these secondary concerns. Dehydration and some other secondary problems can be common to viral infections, which can cause gastric distress.
Treatment for viral infections that cause gastric distress is largely supportive. You will be told to rest and keep your fluid intake up. You might be given anti-nausea medication, and your doctor may provide supportive care, such as intravenous fluids to help treat dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhoea. Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics, so they have to run their course.
Prevention of gastrointestinal viral diseases involves making sure that you wash your hands before you eat and that you do not touch your mouth, nose, or eyes when you are caring for someone with these viral conditions. Make sure that you stay home from work if you are sick, and keep your child at home from school or day-care until they are no longer showing symptoms. Clean surfaces in the home and bathroom, specifically with antiseptic cleaners, to make it less likely that you and others in your home will contract the virus from someone who is sick.