Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Are The Most Common Contagious GI Issues?
Question: What are the most common Contagious GI issues ?
Brief Answer:
viral or bacterial gastroenteritis , hepatitis viruses
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The most common contagious GI conditions would be bacterial and viral infections of the GI tract though parasitic infection can also occur in some areas
Viral infections would include those virus that are associated with acute short term episodes of vomiting/diarrhea such rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus etc.
These are transmitted with contact with vomit or stool that may remain on persons who are infected if appropriate handwashing is not done.
Hepatitis viruses are also common as well particularly hepatitis b, hepatitis a, hepatitis c. Hepatitis b and c can sometimes cause long term problems.
Hepatitis a is spread through the stool , hepatitis b is spread by any bodily fluid (blood, semen, childbirth), hepatits c is blood borne.
Bacterial gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea caused by a bacteria)- mainly caused by salmonella, shigella and campylobacter
These are the most common GI contagious infections
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
viral or bacterial gastroenteritis , hepatitis viruses
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The most common contagious GI conditions would be bacterial and viral infections of the GI tract though parasitic infection can also occur in some areas
Viral infections would include those virus that are associated with acute short term episodes of vomiting/diarrhea such rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus etc.
These are transmitted with contact with vomit or stool that may remain on persons who are infected if appropriate handwashing is not done.
Hepatitis viruses are also common as well particularly hepatitis b, hepatitis a, hepatitis c. Hepatitis b and c can sometimes cause long term problems.
Hepatitis a is spread through the stool , hepatitis b is spread by any bodily fluid (blood, semen, childbirth), hepatits c is blood borne.
Bacterial gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea caused by a bacteria)- mainly caused by salmonella, shigella and campylobacter
These are the most common GI contagious infections
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Of the last three bacterial ones, are they somethting your body can fight off or dose it need attention from medicine ?
Brief Answer:
shigella and salmonella require antibiotics usually
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry about the late reply
Salmonella and shigella are usually treated with antibiotics, though some doctors do not treat the salmonella in this way .Treatment of campylobacter with antibiotics is controversial.
In general , with campylobacter, antibiotics are used if - high fever, bloody stools, no improvement or worsening of symptoms, more than 8 bowel movements a day, symptoms lasting more than 1 week.
Please feel free to ask anything else
shigella and salmonella require antibiotics usually
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry about the late reply
Salmonella and shigella are usually treated with antibiotics, though some doctors do not treat the salmonella in this way .Treatment of campylobacter with antibiotics is controversial.
In general , with campylobacter, antibiotics are used if - high fever, bloody stools, no improvement or worsening of symptoms, more than 8 bowel movements a day, symptoms lasting more than 1 week.
Please feel free to ask anything else
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
