Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a common reason for diarrhea. It can be serious if it causesdehydrationfrom diarrhea and/or vomiting and the symptoms last for several days or weeks.
This article will include information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of bacterial gastroenteritis.
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Bacterial vs. Viral GastroenteritisBacteria, viruses, and other organisms could cause gastroenteritis. Bacteria and viruses can spread from person to person and from surfaces and contaminated food.Gastroenteritis that includes bloody diarrhea, lasts longer than three days, or is causing dehydration may be due to bacteria. Antibiotics may be used for bacterial gastroenteritis, but will not be effective for viral infections.Viral gastroenteritisis often called stomach flu.
Bacterial vs. Viral Gastroenteritis
Bacteria, viruses, and other organisms could cause gastroenteritis. Bacteria and viruses can spread from person to person and from surfaces and contaminated food.Gastroenteritis that includes bloody diarrhea, lasts longer than three days, or is causing dehydration may be due to bacteria. Antibiotics may be used for bacterial gastroenteritis, but will not be effective for viral infections.Viral gastroenteritisis often called stomach flu.
Bacteria, viruses, and other organisms could cause gastroenteritis. Bacteria and viruses can spread from person to person and from surfaces and contaminated food.
Gastroenteritis that includes bloody diarrhea, lasts longer than three days, or is causing dehydration may be due to bacteria. Antibiotics may be used for bacterial gastroenteritis, but will not be effective for viral infections.Viral gastroenteritisis often called stomach flu.
Many types of bacteria can infect the digestive system and cause symptoms. Some of the more common germs include:
Risk FactorsAnyone can develop gastroenteritis. However, some of the risk factors can include:Age (older people and young children may be at higher risk)Handling raw fish and meatNot washing hands after going to the toilet or changing diapersRecent travel to areas with water that may be contaminated with bacteria
Risk Factors
Anyone can develop gastroenteritis. However, some of the risk factors can include:Age (older people and young children may be at higher risk)Handling raw fish and meatNot washing hands after going to the toilet or changing diapersRecent travel to areas with water that may be contaminated with bacteria
Anyone can develop gastroenteritis. However, some of the risk factors can include:
The symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis may differ from person to person and with the type of bacteria. In some cases, the symptoms may come on within hours of eating food that’s contaminated with bacteria.
The signs and symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis may include:
When to Seek Medical HelpMost bacterial infections will go away on their own. However, bloody diarrhea, vomiting that won’t stop, dehydration, dizziness, or losing consciousness are reasons to seek care from a healthcare provider.
When to Seek Medical Help
Most bacterial infections will go away on their own. However, bloody diarrhea, vomiting that won’t stop, dehydration, dizziness, or losing consciousness are reasons to seek care from a healthcare provider.
For many people, infection with bacteria will cause diarrhea and/or vomiting for a few days. Abdominal pain and cramps after eating or drinking and feeling tired are also common. It may not be necessary to see a healthcare provider or to get a diagnosis because the symptoms aren’t severe enough to cause complications and will go away on their own.
For children or babies, it is important to talk to a healthcare provider aboutdiarrhea and vomiting. Kids can get dehydrated and lose water through vomiting and diarrhea quicker than adults, so it’s important to make sure they take in enough fluids.
There won’t be a need for testing in most cases unless the symptoms are going on for a long time. But if testing is done, astool samplemight be needed to check for bacteria. It may take a day or two to get back the stool culture results.
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis Risk in Humans
Treatment usually takes place at home and is usually focused on getting enough fluids to avoid dehydration.
Over-the-counter pain medicationsmay be helpful with cramping and pain in the abdomen. Taking over-the-counter (OTC) antidiarrhea medications might not be helpful. Talk to a healthcare provider before tryingantidiarrheal medications.
Things to avoid eating include:
Needing care in the hospital is not common for bacterial gastroenteritis. People at higher risk of complications, such as older adults or those who are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system), may be more likely to need care in the hospital. While in the hospital, treatment might include:
Some foods and water can be contaminated with bacteria which can make people sick. However, there are several steps that people can use toavoid bacterial infections.
These foods and drinks are most often linked to bacterial infections and should be avoided:
It’s also important to wash fruits and vegetables before eating them. Use separate utensils for raw and cooked meat, and store foods at the proper temperature.
Some bacterial infections may be spread from person to person. It’s important to try to avoid passing the infection to other people.
Steps that you can take when you’re sick include:
Summary
Bacterial gastroenteritis is a common type of infection that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Most infections will get better on their own and treatment is given at home with rest and fluids. For some infections, antibiotic therapy will be needed.
Vomiting and diarrhea from bacterial gastroenteritis can be intense and lead to several days of feeling unwell. Some people are not able to keep much food or liquid down in the first few days of feeling unwell.
It’s important to keep an eye out for becoming dehydrated or feeling dizzy or lethargic. If symptoms don’t start to get better after a day or two or they come back again after a few days, it’s time to get medical attention at a urgent care center or an emergency department.
Frequently Asked QuestionsBacterial gastroenteritis is an acute condition. It comes on after an infection with a germ. The body will rid itself of the bacteria and most people will recover from the nausea and vomiting in a few days.It’s not common, but the symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis can last up to a week, and some people might not feel completely better for two weeks. The length of time symptoms last may be dependent on the type of bacteria that’s causing the infection.Yes, bacterial gastroenteritis will usually go away on its own. Therefore, antibiotics are not usually needed, and for some people, they may not help or could even make the infection worse.It may not always be obvious if nausea and vomiting are from a virus or from a bacteria. However, viruses are more commonly spread during the colder months. Bacterial infections, in the United States, usually come from foods that are contaminated and are more common in the warmer months.
Bacterial gastroenteritis is an acute condition. It comes on after an infection with a germ. The body will rid itself of the bacteria and most people will recover from the nausea and vomiting in a few days.
It’s not common, but the symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis can last up to a week, and some people might not feel completely better for two weeks. The length of time symptoms last may be dependent on the type of bacteria that’s causing the infection.
Yes, bacterial gastroenteritis will usually go away on its own. Therefore, antibiotics are not usually needed, and for some people, they may not help or could even make the infection worse.
It may not always be obvious if nausea and vomiting are from a virus or from a bacteria. However, viruses are more commonly spread during the colder months. Bacterial infections, in the United States, usually come from foods that are contaminated and are more common in the warmer months.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FoodNet 2015 Surveillance Report (Final Data).Fleckenstein JM, Matthew Kuhlmann F, Sheikh A.Acute bacterial gastroenteritis.Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2021;50(2):283-304. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.002.MedlinePlus.Loperamide.Additional ReadingKolsin JM, Lopman BA, Payne DC, et al.Evaluating previous antibiotic use as a risk factor for acute gastroenteritis among children in Davidson County, Tennessee, 2014-2015.J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2018;7(3):e86-e91. doi:10.1093/jpids/piy044
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FoodNet 2015 Surveillance Report (Final Data).Fleckenstein JM, Matthew Kuhlmann F, Sheikh A.Acute bacterial gastroenteritis.Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2021;50(2):283-304. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.002.MedlinePlus.Loperamide.Additional ReadingKolsin JM, Lopman BA, Payne DC, et al.Evaluating previous antibiotic use as a risk factor for acute gastroenteritis among children in Davidson County, Tennessee, 2014-2015.J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2018;7(3):e86-e91. doi:10.1093/jpids/piy044
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FoodNet 2015 Surveillance Report (Final Data).Fleckenstein JM, Matthew Kuhlmann F, Sheikh A.Acute bacterial gastroenteritis.Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2021;50(2):283-304. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.002.MedlinePlus.Loperamide.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.FoodNet 2015 Surveillance Report (Final Data).
Fleckenstein JM, Matthew Kuhlmann F, Sheikh A.Acute bacterial gastroenteritis.Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2021;50(2):283-304. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2021.02.002.
MedlinePlus.Loperamide.
Kolsin JM, Lopman BA, Payne DC, et al.Evaluating previous antibiotic use as a risk factor for acute gastroenteritis among children in Davidson County, Tennessee, 2014-2015.J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2018;7(3):e86-e91. doi:10.1093/jpids/piy044
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