31. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis refers to the inflammation of the intestines caused by either a viral infection (stomach flu) or a bacterial infection (food poisoning). People who suffer from gastroenteritis complain of watery stool, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes, fever. Therapy is usually supportive, involving rehydration either orally (mild) or intravenously (severe) to replace fluids and electrolytes lost during vomiting and passing watery stool.
Viral infections usually resolve by themselves but bacterial infections may require antibiotic therapy, depending on the kind of organism responsible.
