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Infectious gastroenteritis

Last edited: 4/15/2026

Overview

Infectious gastroenteritis involves inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract caused by viral, bacterial, or parasitic pathogens, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. 1

Diagnosis

  • Clinical symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
  • Stool analysis for pathogen identification (e.g., culture, PCR).
  • Blood tests may be indicated in severe cases to assess for dehydration or systemic infection. 1

    • Management

  • Rehydration: Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) for mild cases; intravenous fluids for severe dehydration.
  • Probiotics: Administration of specific probiotic strains to support recovery and reduce duration of symptoms (e.g., Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium species). 1
  • Diet: Gradual reintroduction of bland foods once symptoms improve.
  • Antibiotics: Reserved for specific bacterial causes (e.g., Salmonella, Shigella) based on clinical suspicion and laboratory findings. 1

    • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Probiotics are well-tolerated and may aid in the management and prevention of infectious gastroenteritis 1.
  • Elderly: Focus on close monitoring for dehydration and nutritional support; probiotics may also be considered for their supportive role 1.
  • Comorbidities: Patients with underlying conditions require careful monitoring for complications; rehydration strategies are paramount 1.

    • Key Recommendations

  • Use oral rehydration solutions for the management of dehydration in children with infectious gastroenteritis (Evidence: Strong 1).
  • Consider the prophylactic or therapeutic use of specific probiotic strains in pediatric patients to support recovery from infectious gastroenteritis (Evidence: Moderate 1).
  • Reserve antibiotic therapy for confirmed bacterial infections in cases of infectious gastroenteritis, guided by clinical presentation and laboratory results (Evidence: Moderate 1).

    • References

    1 Depoorter L, Vandenplas Y. Probiotics in Pediatrics. A Review and Practical Guide. Nutrients 2021. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Probiotics in Pediatrics. A Review and Practical Guide. — Depoorter L, Vandenplas Y Nutrients (2021)
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