What's Behind That Stomach Bug?
What's Behind That Stomach Bug?
The Big Picture
Acute infectious diarrhea is a common ailment, often linked to foodborne pathogens. This article explores the various causes and clues that can help identify what's making you sick.
Contents
- Common Culprits
- Symptoms Speak Volumes
- Not Just Food
Common Culprits
In resource-abundant settings, many cases of diarrhea are due to viruses, especially norovirus. Bacterial causes like Salmonella and Campylobacter are more common in severe cases. Identifying the food source can sometimes clue you in on the specific pathogen involved.
Symptoms Speak Volumes
Watery diarrhea often points to small bowel infections caused by viruses, while bloody diarrhea suggests bacterial infections like E. coli or Shigella. The timing of symptoms can also provide hints, with some toxins causing symptoms within hours, while others take days.
Not Just Food
While food is a common source, other exposures like travel, animal contact, and recent antibiotic use can also lead to infection. These factors should be considered when determining the cause of illness.
FAQs
What causes watery diarrhea?
Viruses like norovirus are common causes.
Which bacteria cause bloody diarrhea?
E. coli and Shigella are frequent culprits.
Can travel increase infection risk?
Yes, travel to resource-limited areas can expose you to pathogens.
How quickly do symptoms appear?
Some toxins cause symptoms in hours, others take days.
Wrapping Up
Identifying the cause of diarrhea involves understanding symptoms and potential exposures.
Additional References
- Chai SJ, Gu W, O'Connor KA, et al. Epidemiol Infect 2019; 147:e285.
- Jones TF, McMillian MB, Scallan E, et al. Epidemiol Infect 2007; 135:293.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.