Viral gastroenteritis, also known as "the stomach flu", is a very common infection of the stomach and intestines. It is the second most common illness encountered in American families and causes approximately 50,000 hospitalizations per year. Viruses that are transferred from infected food to person and passed from person to person via contaminated silverware, food and water cause it. These viruses can be very contagious and "outbreaks" may occur if appropriate hand washing and sterilization does not occur in public facilities. Outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis are common in schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, jails, dormitories, and cruise ships.
The viruses which cause gastroenteritis are rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus, saporvirus and astrovirus. Rotavirus is the most common virus implicated in this illness. It causes endemic gastroenteritis in infants and children. Norovirus (Norwalk virus) causes ninety percent of outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the U.S. Although "the stomach flu" implies the influenza virus is associated with this infection, it is not.
Viral gastroenteritis is characterized by intense muscle aches, cramps and chills which precede nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea usually temporarily relieve the nausea and pain. The vomit and diarrhea are usually non-bloody and the stool may lighten in color. People often feel fatigued and dehydrated because of the energy involved with clearing the infection from the body and losing fluid via vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms begin 1-2 days after becoming infected with the virus and last 1-10 days, depending on which virus is involved.
The treatment of viral gastroenteritis includes rest, analgesics and re-hydration. Tylenol may be used to treat fever and muscle cramps. The replenishment of fluids with water, electrolyte drinks or oral rehydration solutions (sugar and electrolytes) is essential to prevent dehydration. When replacing fluids, it is important to replace volume and electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, hydrogen and potassium. Water as hydration helps replace volume, but if too much is given without replacement of electrolytes, the relative concentration of these important ions decreases and metabolic/electrolyte imbalances occur in the body. Re-hydration should occur with electrolyte drinks to protect against hyponatremia. Most quality sports drinks will fill this requirement.
One should drink enough fluid to keep their mouth moist and their urine light yellow to clear. As the diarrhea and/or vomiting subsides, one may slowly introduce soft foods into the diet. Soft foods are jello, saltine crackers, pudding, rice, bread and soups without meats. It is important to watch for abdominal cramping, retching or liquid stools while trying to resume a normal diet, these symptoms could indicate the intestines are still inflamed from the infection and need more time to heal.
Adequate hydration is especially important in people who are young (infants), elderly, frail and immunocompromised ? their bodies are already stressed and gastroenteritis can take a huge toll on the body. These people are usually either dependent on others for fluid and food or have difficulty maintaining healthy nutrition. Vomiting and diarrhea may further deplete their bodies of already limited water and energy stores.
If dehydration occurs, the body's normal fluid balance is disturbed and potentially serious electrolyte (sodium, potassium, hydrogen, bicarbonate, and chloride) abnormalities can occur. When electrolyte abnormalities are severe and prolonged, the function of the nervous, cardiovascular, pulmonary and renal systems is compromised. Dehydration is characterized by fatigue, dry mouth, decreased urination, loose skin and lightheadedness (especially when changing from the laying to standing positions).
Although one may be tempted to use anti-diarrheal (Imodium) and anti-vomiting (Phenergan) medications, these types of medications are not recommended during this illness. Vomiting and diarrhea are the body's way of getting rid of the virus, and even though these symptoms are distressing and uncomfortable, it is important to allow the body's natural defense mechanism to function. The exception to this rule occurs when someone cannot hold down fluids and is dehydrated; the use of an anti-diarrheal medication can help the body restore its fluid balance.
Viral gastroenteritis can be prevented by thorough hand washing after eating and using the bathroom and wiping surfaces that have come in contact with infected food with disinfectant cleaners. Eating a balanced diet and taking supplements which boost the immune system can also prevent one from getting viral gastroenteritis.
Osteomyelitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory process of the bone and its structures secondary to infection with pyogenic organisms. It can be usefully subclassifed on the basis of the causative organism, the route, duration and anatomic location of the infection. In kids and teens, osteomyelitis usually affects the long bones of the arms and legs. Bacteria can infect bones in a number of ways. Bacteria can travel into the bone through the bloodstream from other infected areas in the body. The infection that causes osteomyelitis often is in another part of the body and spreads to the bone via the blood. Affected bone may have been predisposed to infection because of recent trauma. The approach to osteomyelitis depends upon the route by which bacteria gained access to bone, bacterial virulence, local and systemic host immune factors, and patient age. Infections of the leg and arm bones and those of the vertebrae are usually acquired through the bloodstream. If left untreated, the infection can become chronic and cause a loss of blood supply to the affected bone. When this happens, it can lead to the eventual death of the bone tissue.
It is one of the more serious infections of childhood, and was once a major crippler of children in the days before antibiotics. People of any age can develop osteomyelitis, though it's most common in children and people older than 50. The bacteria or fungus that can cause osteomyelitis, however, differs among age groups. In adults, osteomyelitis often affects the vertebrae and the pelvis. There are two forms of osteomyelitis - acute and chronic. Osteomyelitis may also occur where a piece of metal has been surgically attached to a bone, as is done to repair hip or other fractures. In addition, individuals with diabetes who develop foot ulcers are more susceptible. In any of these situations, the organism has a direct portal of entry into the affected bone. Osteomyelitis can affect both adults and children. People with osteomyelitis often feel severe pain in the infected bone. They may have fever and chills, feel tired or nauseated, or have a general feeling of not being well. The source of the blood infection is usually Staphylococcus aureus, although it may be caused by a different type of bacteria or fungal organism.
Causes of Osteomyelitis
The common causes and risk factor's of Osteomyelitis include the following:
A result of an injury to the bone.
Intravenous drug users.
Prosthetic bone devices, such as screws, plates, or wires.
Poor circulation.
An infection in the body carried by the blood to the bone.
Artificial joints, such as a knee or hip.
Trauma to the skin or bones, such as surgery, deep skin cuts, and bone fractures or breaks.
Weakened immune system.
Fungal infection.
Symptoms of Osteomyelitis
Some sign and symptoms related to Osteomyelitis are as follows:
Pain in the bone.
Pus drainage on skin.
General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling ( malaise ).
Fever and chills.
Fatigue.
Sweating.
Recurrent bone pain.
Weight loss.
Muscle spasm.
Ongoing, severe back pain that is worse with movement.
Treatment of Osteomyelitis
Here is list of the methods for treating Osteomyelitis:
Antibiotics will be given to destroy the bacteria that are causing the infection.
Bone grafting.
If antibiotic treatment fails, the infection may need to be surgically removed. Surgery may include draining the infection, removing infected bone and rebuilding the spine.
A new prosthesis may be implanted in the same operation or delayed until the infection has resolved, depending on its severity.
Hyperbaric oxygen.
Spinal instrumentation and fusion may be used to correct spinal deformity and provide permanent stability to the spinal column.
Both Roger Hutchison & Juliet Cohen are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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