Disease or Syndrome
gastroenteritis
gas·tro·en·ter·i·tis [ gas-troh-en-tuh-rahy-tis ]
Subclass of:
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Also called:
Stomach flu
Definitions related to gastroenteritis:
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An inflammatory disorder that affects the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Most commonly, this is attributed to viruses; however bacteria, parasites or adverse reactions can also be the culprit. Symptoms include acute diarrhea and vomiting.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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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 or by 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, older adults, and people with weak immune systems. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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Inflammation of any segment of the gastrointestinal tract from esophagus to rectum; causes of gastroenteritis are many including genetic, infection, hypersensitivity, drug effects, and cancer.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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Inflammation of the lining of the stomach and the intestines. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps (dull or sharp pains). Gastroenteritis may be caused by infection with bacteria, parasites, or viruses. It may also be caused by food poisoning, allergic reactions, or reactions to certain medicines or foods.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Inflammation of the stomach and small intestine.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach and small and large intestines. Most cases are infectious, although gastroenteritis may occur after ingestion of drugs and chemical toxins (eg, metals, plant substances). Acquisition may be foodborne, waterborne, person-to-person spread, or occasionally through zoonotic spread....Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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Gastroenteritis, acute infectious syndrome of the stomach lining and the intestine. It is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Other symptoms can include nausea, fever, and chills. The severity of gastroenteritis varies from a sudden but transient attack of diarrhea to severe...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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