Bacterial gastroenteritis
Definition
Bacterial gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacteria or bacterial toxins (see also food poisoning).
Alternative Names
Infectious diarrhea - bacterial gastroenteritis; Acute gastroenteritis; Gastroenteritis - bacterialCauses
Many different types of bacteria can produce the symptoms associated with bacterial gastroenteritis, including salmonella, shigella, staphylococcus, Campylobacter jejuni, clostridium, E. coli, yersinia, and others. Some sources of the infection are improperly prepared food, reheated meat dishes, seafood, dairy, and bakery products. Each organism causes slightly different symptoms but all result in diarrhea. Colitis, inflammation of the large intestine, may also be present.
Risk factors are consumption of improperly prepared foods or contaminated water and travel or residence in areas of poor sanitation. The incidence is 1 in 1,000 people.
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