Gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, is an illness of fever, diarrhoea and/or vomiting caused by an infectious virus, bacterium or parasite. It usually is of acute onset, normally lasting less than 10 days and self-limiting. Sometimes it is referred to simply as 'gastro'. It is often referred to as the stomach flu or gastric flu even though it is not related to influenza. If the inflammation is limited to the stomach, the term gastritis is used, and if the small bowel alone is affected i ...

Including:

• Gastroenteritis - Aetiology
• Gastroenteritis - Viral causes
• Gastroenteritis - Bacterial causes
• Gastroenteritis - Parasites
• Gastroenteritis - Epidemiology
• Gastroenteritis - Clinical features
• Gastroenteritis - Differential diagnosis
• Gastroenteritis - Treatment
• Gastroenteritis - Drug therapy
• Gastroenteritis - Complications

Read more here: » Gastroenteritis: Encyclopedia - Gastroenteritis

See also:

Gastroenteritis, Gastroenteritis - Aetiology, Gastroenteritis - Viral causes, Gastroenteritis - Bacterial causes, Gastroenteritis - Parasites, Gastroenteritis - Epidemiology, Gastroenteritis - Clinical features, Gastroenteritis - Differential diagnosis, Gastroenteritis - Treatment, Gastroenteritis - Drug therapy, Gastroenteritis - Complications

Read more here: » Gastroenteritis: Encyclopedia II - Gastroenteritis - Aetiology

The main treatment of diarrhoeal illness in both children and adults is rehydration, i.e. replenishment of water lost in the stools. Depending on the degree of dehydration, this can be done orally with commercial or home-made rehydration fluids, or through intravenous delivery. Gastroenteritis - Drug therapy. Loperamide is an opioid analogue commonly used for symptomatic treatment of diarrhoea. It slows down gut motility, but does not cross the mature blood-brain barrier to cause the central nervous effect ...

See also:

Gastroenteritis, Gastroenteritis - Aetiology, Gastroenteritis - Viral causes, Gastroenteritis - Bacterial causes, Gastroenteritis - Parasites, Gastroenteritis - Epidemiology, Gastroenteritis - Clinical features, Gastroenteritis - Differential diagnosis, Gastroenteritis - Treatment, Gastroenteritis - Drug therapy, Gastroenteritis - Complications

Read more here: » Gastroenteritis: Encyclopedia II - Gastroenteritis - Treatment

Anthrax, also referred to as splenic fever, is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis and is highly lethal in its most virulent form. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and domestic herbivores, but it can also occur in humans when they are exposed to infected animals, tissue from infected animals, or high concentrations of anthrax spores. Still there are no cases of people who got sick through contact with a diseased person. The word anthrax is derived from the Greek word anthrakis, which means "coal", and is us ...

Including:

• Anthrax - Exposure
• Anthrax - Means of infection
• Anthrax - Pulmonary pneumonic respiratory inhalation anthrax
• Anthrax - Gastrointestinal gastroenteric anthrax
• Anthrax - Cutaneous skin anthrax
• Anthrax - Treatment and prevention
• Anthrax - Site cleanup
• Anthrax - Description of the bacterium
• Anthrax - Biological warfare
• Anthrax - Pasteur

Read more here: » Anthrax: Encyclopedia - Anthrax

Campylobacteriosis is among the most common bacterial infections of humans. It produces an inflammatory, sometimes bloody, diarrhea or dysentery syndrome. It is responsible for proctocolitis in participants of anoreceptive intercourse, bacteremia in AIDS patients and other immunocompromised patients, and travelers' diarrhea. Helicobacter pylori is closely related to Campylobacter and causes peptic ulcer disease. Campylobacteriosis - Epidemiology. An estimated 2 million cases of Campylobacte ...

Including:

• Campylobacteriosis - Epidemiology
• Campylobacteriosis - Pathophysiology
• Campylobacteriosis - Features
• Campylobacteriosis - Diagnosis
• Campylobacteriosis - Treatment
• Campylobacteriosis - Prognosis
• Campylobacteriosis - Prevention

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Flu. Respiratory disease properly named influenza. Some specific varities of influenza with a vaccination available are: A-New Caledonia, A-California, B-Shanghai. There is no vaccination for avian flu or avian influenza. Digestive-system diseases commonly called "stomach flu" (and widely misunderstood as being influenza), see Gastroenteritis flu is short for Latin flumis = "to die of respiratory disease".

Enteritis is the inflammation of the small intestine (inflammation of the large intestine is termed colitis, while enterocolitis refers to an inflammation of both the large and small intestine.). Enteritis - Signs and symptoms. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal distension and hematochezia. If there is vomiting, gastroenteritis is the more correct diagnosis. Enteropathy Enteritis - Diagnosis. Generally a good h ...

Including:

• Enteritis - Signs and symptoms
• Enteritis - Diagnosis
• Enteritis - Treatment

Read more here: » Enteritis: Encyclopedia - Enteritis

see text Campylobacter is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria. Campylobacter - Infection. Infection with a Campylobacter species is one of the most common causes of human bacterial gastroenteritis. In the United States, 15 out of every 100,000 people are diagnosed with campylobacteriosis every year, and with many cases going unreported, up to 0.5% of the general population may unknowingly harbor Campylobacter in their gut annually. Diarrhea, cramps, abdominal pain, and fever ...

Including:

• Campylobacter - Infection
• Campylobacter - Treatment
• Campylobacter - Species
• Campylobacter - Other resources
• Campylobacter - References
• Campylobacter - External links

Read more here: » Campylobacter: Encyclopedia - Campylobacter

The intestine is the portion of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine. In humans, the small intestine is further subivided into the duodenum, jejunum and ileum while the large intestine is subdivided into the cecum, colon and rectum. The intestine is the part of the body responsible for extracting nutrition from food. While the stomach's role mainly consists in "breaking" food molecules into nutrients, the intestine allows these nutrient ...

Including:

• Intestine - Diseases of the intestine

Read more here: » Intestine: Encyclopedia - Intestine

Coronavirus is a genus of animal virus belonging to the family Coronaviridae. Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome and a helical symmetry. The genomic size of coronaviruses ranges from approximately 16 to 30 kb. The name "coronavirus" draws reference to the "corona" -- the "ring-like radiating structure" formed by the outermost part of the atmosphere of the sun. When observed under electron microscopy (E.M.), coronavirus particles exhibit a characteristic corona-like morpho ...

Including:

• Coronavirus - Diseases of coronavirus
• Coronavirus - SARS
• Coronavirus - Recent discoveries of novel human coronaviruses
• Coronavirus - Species

Read more here: » Coronavirus: Encyclopedia - Coronavirus

Nausea (Greek Ναυτεία) is the sensation of unease and discomfort in the stomach with an urge to vomit. Nausea - Causes. Nausea is a symptom of many conditions. It is also an adverse effect of many drugs. In medicine, nausea is a particular problem during some chemotherapy regimens and following general anaesthesia. Nausea is also a common symptom of pregnancy. Other causes include: altitude sickness, angina, brain tumor, cirrhosis, clinical depression, coeliac disea ...

Including:

• Nausea - Causes
• Nausea - Treatment

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Abdominal pain can be one of the symptoms associated with transient disorders or serious disease. Making a definitive diagnosis of the cause of a person's abdominal pain can be quite difficult, because so many diseases can result in this symptom. Abdominal pain - Introduction. Abdominal pain is traditionally described by its chronicity (acute or chronic), its progression over time, its nature (sharp, dull, colicky), its distribution (by various methods, such as abdominal quadrant (left upper quadrant, left ...

Including:

• Abdominal pain - Introduction
• Abdominal pain - Approaches
• Abdominal pain - Types and mechanisms
• Abdominal pain - Selected causes

Read more here: » Abdominal pain: Encyclopedia - Abdominal pain

A barium enema, also called a lower gastrointestinal series, is a medical procedure used to examine and dignose problems with the human large intestines. An X-ray examination of the large intestines, pictures are taken after rectal instillation of barium sulfate. Barium enema - How the test is performed. This test may be done in an office or a hospital radiology department. The patient lies on the X-ray table and a preliminary X-ray is taken. The patient is then asked to lie on the side while a well ...

Including:

• Barium enema - How the test is performed
• Barium enema - Preparation
• Barium enema - Why the test is performed
• Barium enema - Normal Values
• Barium enema - What abnormal results mean
• Barium enema - What the risks are
• Barium enema - Special considerations
• Barium enema - External link

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Anthrax can enter the human body through the intestines, lungs (inhalation), or skin (cutaneous). Anthrax is non-contagious, and is unlikely to spread from person to person. Anthrax - Pulmonary pneumonic respiratory inhalation anthrax. Inhalation infection initially presents with cold or flu-like symptoms for several days, followed by severe (and often fatal) respiratory problems. If not treated soon after exposure, before symptoms appear, inhalation infection is the most deadly, with a nearly 100% mortali ...

See also:

Anthrax, Anthrax - Exposure, Anthrax - Means of infection, Anthrax - Pulmonary pneumonic respiratory inhalation anthrax, Anthrax - Gastrointestinal gastroenteric anthrax, Anthrax - Cutaneous skin anthrax, Anthrax - Treatment and prevention, Anthrax - Site cleanup, Anthrax - Description of the bacterium, Anthrax - Biological warfare, Anthrax - Pasteur

Read more here: » Anthrax: Encyclopedia II - Anthrax - Means of infection

Anthrax spores can survive for long periods of time without a host when they are released. Methods of cleaning up the site of anthrax attack or accident commonly use oxidizing agents such as peroxides. These agents can destroy bacterial spores but they work slowly. To speed up the process, trace amounts of a non-toxic catalyst composed of iron and tetro-amido macrocyclic ligands is combined with sodium carbonate and bicarbonate and made into a spray. This spray is applied to an infected area and is followed by another spray ...

See also:

Anthrax, Anthrax - Exposure, Anthrax - Means of infection, Anthrax - Pulmonary pneumonic respiratory inhalation anthrax, Anthrax - Gastrointestinal gastroenteric anthrax, Anthrax - Cutaneous skin anthrax, Anthrax - Treatment and prevention, Anthrax - Site cleanup, Anthrax - Description of the bacterium, Anthrax - Biological warfare, Anthrax - Pasteur

Read more here: » Anthrax: Encyclopedia II - Anthrax - Site cleanup

Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the intestines and is the most common disease of the intestines. It can arise as the result of food poisoning. Ileus is a blockage of the intestines. Appendicitis is inflammation of the vermiform appendix located at the cecum. This is a potentially fatal disease if left untreated; most cases of appendicitis will require surgical intervention. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are examples of autoimmune diseases affecting the intestines. Crohn's can affect the ...

See also:

Intestine, Intestine - Diseases of the intestine, Intestine - Disorders of the intestine

Read more here: » Intestine: Encyclopedia II - Intestine - Diseases of the intestine

Bacillus anthracis is a rod-shaped Gram-positive bacterium of size about 1 by 6 micrometres. It was the first bacterium ever to be shown to cause disease, by Robert Koch in 1877. The bacteria normally rest in spore form in the soil, and can survive for decades in this state. Once taken in by an herbivore, the bacteria start multiplying inside the animal and eventually kill it, then continue to reproduce in the carcass. Once they run out of nutrients there, they revert back to the dormant spore state. The infection of herbivores ...

See also:

Anthrax, Anthrax - Exposure, Anthrax - Means of infection, Anthrax - Pulmonary pneumonic respiratory inhalation anthrax, Anthrax - Gastrointestinal gastroenteric anthrax, Anthrax - Cutaneous skin anthrax, Anthrax - Treatment and prevention, Anthrax - Site cleanup, Anthrax - Description of the bacterium, Anthrax - Biological warfare, Anthrax - Pasteur

Read more here: » Anthrax: Encyclopedia II - Anthrax - Description of the bacterium

Spores of this bacteria can be used in biological warfare. US Army personnel are now routinely vaccinated prior to active service in places where biological attacks are considered a threat. The anthrax vaccine, produced by BioPort Corporation, contains no live bacteria, and is approximately 93% effective in preventing infection. Anthrax vaccination is one of many factors suspected of causing Gulf War syndrome. The administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush authorized the sale to Iraq of numerous items that had both military ...

See also:

Anthrax, Anthrax - Exposure, Anthrax - Means of infection, Anthrax - Pulmonary pneumonic respiratory inhalation anthrax, Anthrax - Gastrointestinal gastroenteric anthrax, Anthrax - Cutaneous skin anthrax, Anthrax - Treatment and prevention, Anthrax - Site cleanup, Anthrax - Description of the bacterium, Anthrax - Biological warfare, Anthrax - Pasteur

Read more here: » Anthrax: Encyclopedia II - Anthrax - Biological warfare

Treatment for anthrax infections includes large doses of intravenous and oral antibiotics, such as penicillin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, erythromycin, and vancomycin. For inhalation cases, antibiotic treatment is not very effective unless initiated within a day of exposure, before any symptoms appear. Antibiotic prophylaxis is crucial in cases of pulmonary anthrax to save lives. Some antibiotic-resistant strains are known. A vaccine, produced from one component of the toxin of a non-virulent strand, is also available. The vaccine must be given at least four weeks before exposure to anthrax; annual b ...

See also:

Anthrax, Anthrax - Exposure, Anthrax - Means of infection, Anthrax - Pulmonary pneumonic respiratory inhalation anthrax, Anthrax - Gastrointestinal gastroenteric anthrax, Anthrax - Cutaneous skin anthrax, Anthrax - Treatment and prevention, Anthrax - Site cleanup, Anthrax - Description of the bacterium, Anthrax - Biological warfare, Anthrax - Pasteur

Read more here: » Anthrax: Encyclopedia II - Anthrax - Treatment and prevention

Symptoms may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal distension and hematochezia. If there is vomiting, gastroenteritis is the more correct diagnosis. ...

See also:

Enteritis, Enteritis - Signs and symptoms, Enteritis - Diagnosis, Enteritis - Treatment

Read more here: » Enteritis: Encyclopedia II - Enteritis - Signs and symptoms