Gastroenteritis is one of the most common illness of humans. It is an inflammation of the stomach and intestinal lining.
Eating chemical toxins in food, drinking excessive alcohol, food allergies, foodborne illness, intestinal viruses, cathartics and other drugs can cause gastroenteritis.
Bacteria, viruses and protozoa all of which can be transmitted through contaminated food as well as from person to person.
Gastroenteritis is an acute diarrheal disease that affects both children and adults throughout the developed and developing world.
In developing countries, acute diarrheal disease illness remain one of the major causes of long term morbidity and mortality because for the majority of the population, access to clean water and safe food sources are limited.
Acute gastroenteritis causes almost 3 million deaths each year worldwide, mostly among children under 5 years of age in developing countries.
There are thousands of different organism that can cause gastroenteritis. In the United States, it is usually caused by viruses and less commonly by bacteria.
Acute gastroenteritis can follow the ingestion of pathogenic microorganisms or toxins produced by these agents.
Ingestion of contaminated food or drink is most common, but swimming or bathing in contaminated water can also result in exposure, particularly among travelers.
Gastroenteritis
