BRMC's Gastroenteritis Advisory
As more people enter Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) for treatment of gastrointestinal ailments, health officials are urging the community to take preventative measures that include good hand hygiene.
Terrie O’Brien, RN, BRMC’s infection control practitioner, says the hospital has seen a higher-than-normal number of people seeking treatment for gastroenteritis.
This is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Watery diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms that typically last 24 to 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Health Department has issued an alert to healthcare clinicians that there is an above-average incidence of gastrointestinal illness this time of year due to norovirus and other viruses.
Gastroenteritis is generally diagnosed by a physician on the basis of the symptoms and medical examination of the patient. In some cases for diagnosis, laboratory testing is performed on a stool specimen, say health experts.
Many people who experience the vomiting and diarrhea that develop from these types of infections or irritations think they have "food poisoning," and they could have a food-borne illness, health experts say. Many also refer to gastroenteritis as "stomach flu," although influenza has nothing to do with the condition.
Although viral infection is the most common cause of gastroenteritis, bacteria, parasites and other food-borne illnesses can be the origin, health experts say.
“People can prevent or lessen their chance of getting gastroenteritis. Among the best steps is to "thoroughly wash your hands when in the bathroom and before and after preparing or eating food,” Mrs. O’Brien says.
With most infections, the key is to block the spread of the organism, she says. In addition to frequent hand hygiene, stay home when you are having symptoms, she says.
Gastrointestional illnesses are the most contagious when a person is experiencing vomiting and diarrhea.
Disinfect surfaces well during your illness, including the television remote. Use a bleach-based cleaning product on surfaces to kill the virus. Also, use bleach and hot water for laundry soiled with vomit or stool.
Unless properly disinfected, noroviruses can survive on surfaces, clothing and carpet for three to four weeks at room temperature, say Health Department officials.
“Another good practice for prevention is to wash fruits and vegetables well and only eat properly prepared and stored food,” Mrs. O’Brien advises.
A mainstay of home treatment for gastroenteritis is hydration. Becoming dehydrated will make the symptoms of nausea and vomiting worse and compound symptoms, according to Health Department officials.
Clear fluids should be consumed for the first 24 hours, then gradually progress the diet as tolerated. Clear fluids are anything you can see through. Popsicles and Jell-O work well because they are ingested slowly. But drinking too much fluid too quickly will distend the stomach and can worsen the nausea.
Mrs. O'Brien says, "Dehydration can lead to serious complications, especially in the elderly, in the very young and among people with other illnesses. A person should seek medical treatment for persistent symptoms and if they are unable to retain any fluids at all. They also may need to be rehydrated with fluids intravenously."
Those with questions should contact their healthcare providers. For more information about gastroenteritis, go online at www.brmc.com and click on the Medline Plus section on the bottom of the page.
Terrie O’Brien, RN, BRMC’s infection control practitioner, says the hospital has seen a higher-than-normal number of people seeking treatment for gastroenteritis.
This is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Watery diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms that typically last 24 to 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Health Department has issued an alert to healthcare clinicians that there is an above-average incidence of gastrointestinal illness this time of year due to norovirus and other viruses.
Gastroenteritis is generally diagnosed by a physician on the basis of the symptoms and medical examination of the patient. In some cases for diagnosis, laboratory testing is performed on a stool specimen, say health experts.
Many people who experience the vomiting and diarrhea that develop from these types of infections or irritations think they have "food poisoning," and they could have a food-borne illness, health experts say. Many also refer to gastroenteritis as "stomach flu," although influenza has nothing to do with the condition.
Although viral infection is the most common cause of gastroenteritis, bacteria, parasites and other food-borne illnesses can be the origin, health experts say.
“People can prevent or lessen their chance of getting gastroenteritis. Among the best steps is to "thoroughly wash your hands when in the bathroom and before and after preparing or eating food,” Mrs. O’Brien says.
With most infections, the key is to block the spread of the organism, she says. In addition to frequent hand hygiene, stay home when you are having symptoms, she says.
Gastrointestional illnesses are the most contagious when a person is experiencing vomiting and diarrhea.
Disinfect surfaces well during your illness, including the television remote. Use a bleach-based cleaning product on surfaces to kill the virus. Also, use bleach and hot water for laundry soiled with vomit or stool.
Unless properly disinfected, noroviruses can survive on surfaces, clothing and carpet for three to four weeks at room temperature, say Health Department officials.
“Another good practice for prevention is to wash fruits and vegetables well and only eat properly prepared and stored food,” Mrs. O’Brien advises.
A mainstay of home treatment for gastroenteritis is hydration. Becoming dehydrated will make the symptoms of nausea and vomiting worse and compound symptoms, according to Health Department officials.
Clear fluids should be consumed for the first 24 hours, then gradually progress the diet as tolerated. Clear fluids are anything you can see through. Popsicles and Jell-O work well because they are ingested slowly. But drinking too much fluid too quickly will distend the stomach and can worsen the nausea.
Mrs. O'Brien says, "Dehydration can lead to serious complications, especially in the elderly, in the very young and among people with other illnesses. A person should seek medical treatment for persistent symptoms and if they are unable to retain any fluids at all. They also may need to be rehydrated with fluids intravenously."
Those with questions should contact their healthcare providers. For more information about gastroenteritis, go online at www.brmc.com and click on the Medline Plus section on the bottom of the page.
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