Acute Gastroenteritis
This acute gastroenteritis is a common infection affecting the pediatric population as well as the adults.
There are so many causes of acute gastroenteritis, it could be bacterial or viral in origin but what is most important is avoidance of dehydration. Dehydration is fatal and it could cause death among the pediatric age group.
To assess the patient as to being mildly, moderately and severely dehydrated, it is important to ask about:
A.
-how many times did the patient have diarrhea?
– is the patient vomiting?
– is the patient thirsty?
– when was the last urine output?
B.
- Look at the condition whether the patient is well and alert, sleepy or irritable, very sleepy or Unconscious
- look for the presence or absence of tears
- look at the eyes whether it is sunken or very sunken
- look at the mouth and tongue whether it is wet, dry or very dry
- look at the breathing whether it is normal, fast or very deep and very fast
C. Feel the
– skin whether the pinch will go back easily, slowly or very slowly
– the pulse whether it is normal, faster than normal or very fast
– the fontanelles whether it is normal or sunken
D. Take the temperature
Whether the patient has fever or none
E. Get the weight of the patient as a baseline and everyday during the course of the disease
After the thorough evaluation, one can determine if the patient has no signs of dehydration, has some signs of dehydration or has severe dehydration. The management of the affected individual depends upon the degree of dehydration.
In general, the management of gastroenteritis centers on these:
1. The prompt replacement of Fluids and electrolytes lost in the stools including oral rehydration therapy
2. The maintenance of Nutrition through early feeding
3. The judicious use of antimicrobials and the avoidance of antidiarrheal
Agents
4. The health education for mothers with emphasis on prevention and follow up.