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| Treatment and prevention of gastroenteritis? |
Treatment of gastroenteritis should be fasted and corrected for water and electrolyte disorders. Usually patients only need to rest in bed and drink enough water (such as oral rehydration solution). Even patients who vomit should drink as much water as possible. Lactating infants should continue to breastfeed. If vomiting or diarrhea lasts for a long time or if there is severe dehydration, intravenous rehydration is necessary. Antiemetics can be added when vomiting is severe. If the diarrhea lasts for more than 24 to 48 hours and there is no indication of a more serious bacterial infection, an antidiarrheal may be added. Antiemetics and antidiarrheals are not recommended for children.
Since antibiotics may cause diarrhea or promote the growth of resistant bacteria, even if the pathogens of gastroenteritis are clear, antibiotics are usually not recommended. However, some pathogens (such as Campylobacter, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae, etc.) are infected or patients have travellers with diarrhea, and antibiotics can be used.
Antibiotics have no effect on gastroenteritis caused by viral infection. Anti-parasitic drugs are required for gastroenteritis caused by parasitic infections.
