As the name suggests, gastrointestinal (GI) infection is a medical condition when there is an infection in the GI tract of a person. GI infections are very common, so common that there are over 211 million cases of diarrhea reported every year in the country as confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Not just that, it is also estimated that about 3 to 6 million children die every year around the world because of GI infections. This is, mainly, because pathogens that cause diarrhea can be easily transmitted in three ways, i.e., through water, food, and contact.

This infection is caused primarily by the spread of malicious microorganisms. The microorganisms that are responsible and cause an infection in the intestines are bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Most of the time, when the GI tract or intestines are affected, it results in dysentery, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramping.

One of the main dangers of an GI infection is the risk of dehydration, as during the course of the infection, there is a lot of loss of fluids, which are necessary to maintain a healthy state of being, from the body in the form of diarrhea and vomiting. Hence rehydration is vital during the time of this infection as it replenishes these lost fluids. Most of the time, GI infections are self-limited, meaning they are short-lived and they resolve by themselves in a few days. Although it needs to be noted that this infection can be potentially serious for certain people, such as the elderly, individuals with a compromised immune system, and infants and children. Hence, immediate medical attention is necessary.

Some of the most common symptoms of GI infections include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea and/or a vomiting sensation
• Abdominal pains and cramps
• Muscle pain and aches
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Blood in stools
• Dehydration

When any of these symptoms are experienced, there needs to be quick diagnosis so timely and appropriate treatment can be accessed. Diagnosis of a GI infection can be confirmed by lab tests, which involves testing for culture or detecting antigen from the stool specimen of the patient suffering from this medical condition. A lot of importance is paid to diagnosing the infection correctly in order to determine what was the actual cause for the GI infection. The cause could be:

• Bacterial – This includes the common harmful bacteria like E. Coli and Salmonella.
• Viral – The most common viruses causing a GI infection include Norovirus and Rotavirus.
• Parasitic – The parasites that are responsible for a GI infection include Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis.

Now that we have covered with the symptoms and what causes a GI infection, let’s see what the preventive measures are to safeguard oneself from it:

• Always wash hands with soap.
• Never eat undercooked food.
• Never drink untreated water.
• Never drink unpasteurized milk.
• Read travelers’ warning before traveling outside the country.