Gastroenteritis

Fluid replacement essential.  Antibiotic therapy is rarely indicated as it can cause antibiotic resistance, increases the risk of C.diff, may cause prolonged carriage of some pathogens (e.g. Salmonella) and there may be risk of Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS).

 

For cases where microbial pathogen has been confirmed – please consider interpretive comments on microbiology report. Further guidance also available:

ADULTS - Scenario: Adult gastroenteritis | Management | Gastroenteritis | CKS | NICE

CHILDREN - Scenario: Child gastroenteritis | Management | Gastroenteritis | CKS | NICE

 

HIV testing is recommended if unexplained chronic diarrhoea or persistent Cryptosporidiosis diarrhoea >1 month as these are HIV indicator conditions