Viral gastroenteritis in adults

Typically a self-limiting condition lasting <14 days. Frequent symptoms are vomiting, diarrhoea, and nausea, which may be accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, and anorexia.

Person-to-person transmission is responsible for infection in most sporadic cases. Foodborne and waterborne epidemic outbreaks have the potential to involve large numbers of people.

Mostly caused by norovirus.

Diagnosis is usually made clinically.

Optimal management is with oral rehydration therapy for mild and moderate cases and intravenous fluids for severe cases, plus adequate nutrition. Routine use of antibiotics, antidiarrhoeal agents, and anti-emetics is not recommended and may cause harm.

Prevention through good hygiene is the key to controlling viral gastroenteritis.

For information on the diagnosis and management of viral gastroenteritis in children, see our topic Viral gastroenteritis in children. 

Viral gastroenteritis is the acute inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines caused by enteropathogenic viruses. The typical presentation is an increased frequency of defecation lasting <14 days, which may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal cramps, and fever.[1]Thielman NM, Guerrant RL. Clinical practice: acute infectious diarrhea. N Engl J Med. 2004 Jan 1;350(1):38-47. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14702426?tool=bestpractice.com In rare cases, the volume depletion is significant enough to cause hospitalisation or even death.