II. Definitions

  1. Gastroenteritis
    1. Rapid onset Diarrhea with or without Nausea, Vomiting, fever or Abdominal Pain
    2. Inflammation of the Gastrointestinal Tract (Stomache and Small Intestine)
    3. Typical presentation is Vomiting followed by Diarrhea

III. Causes: Viral Gastroenteritis

  1. See Infectious Diarrhea Causes
  2. Rotavirus
    1. Most common cause of Gastroenteritis in Children
    2. Fall-Winter outbreaks
    3. Peak ages: 6-24 months
    4. Typical duration 5-7 days
  3. Norovirus (Norwalk Virus)
    1. Most common cause of Gastroenteritis in adults
    2. Winter outbreaks
    3. Affects all ages
    4. Typical duration 2-5 days
    5. Common outbreaks via Foodborne Illness in Nursing Homes, dormitories, cruise ships
  4. Astrovirus
    1. Winter outbreaks
    2. Affects all ages
    3. Typical duration 3 days
  5. Adenovirus
    1. Summer outbreaks
    2. Typicall affects children
    3. Typical duration 6-9 days

IV. Signs: Presentations

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