About Gastroenteritis
Key Highlights
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Expert management by a specialist in digestive diseases ensures accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment.Focus on preventing dehydration, the most common and serious complication, through guided rehydration strategies.Identification of the specific cause (viral, bacterial, parasitic) allows for targeted therapy when necessary.Provides guidance on dietary adjustments to soothe the gut and promote faster recovery.Helps rule out other more serious conditions with similar symptoms, such as inflammatory bowel disease or food poisoning.
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent or severe diarrhea and vomiting lasting more than 48 hours.
- Signs of dehydration, such as decreased urination, dry mouth, dizziness, or excessive thirst.
- High fever (above 101.5°F or 38.6°C) accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Blood or pus in the stool.
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping.
- Symptoms in high-risk individuals: infants, young children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems.
- Recent travel to areas with poor sanitation or known outbreaks.
- Failure to improve with basic home care (rest, clear fluids).
How to prepare
- Be prepared to provide a detailed history of symptoms, including onset, frequency, and character of stool/vomit.
- Note any recent travel, dietary changes, or sick contacts.
- List all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
- Mention any known allergies.
- For a stool test, a fresh sample may be requested in a provided container.
- Fasting is not typically required for the initial consultation, but follow any specific instructions from the doctor.
- Stay hydrated by sipping oral rehydration solutions (ORS) or clear fluids before the appointment if possible.
Risks & possible complications
- Dehydration: The primary risk, which can lead to electrolyte imbalances, kidney problems, and shock.
- Chronic diarrhea: In some cases, symptoms may persist, leading to malabsorption and weight loss.
- Reactive complications: Such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) from certain E. coli infections.
- Spread of infection: To other household members or close contacts if hygiene is not maintained.
- Adverse drug reactions: If antibiotics or anti-emetics are prescribed.
- Underlying condition: The symptoms may mask a different, more serious gastrointestinal disorder.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Focus on rehydration: Drink plenty of oral rehydration solutions (ORS), clear broths, or water. Avoid sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol.
- Follow the BRAT diet initially: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. Gradually reintroduce bland, easy-to-digest foods.
- Avoid dairy products, fatty, spicy, or high-fiber foods for a few days as the gut heals.
- Get ample rest to allow your body to fight the infection and recover energy.
- Practice strict hand hygiene with soap and water to prevent spreading the infection.
- Return to a normal diet gradually over 3-7 days as tolerated.
- Contact your gastroenterologist if symptoms worsen, dehydration signs appear, or if you develop a high fever.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-2 days
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Expected recovery time: 3-7 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering gastroenteritis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for gastroenteritis in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, KMC Hospital Mangalore, Manipal Hospital Baner, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform gastroenteritis. MediFyr helps you compare gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for gastroenteritis compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Gastroenteritis in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing gastroenteritis.
Olivia Shah, a 28-year-old software developer,...
Olivia Shah, a 28-year-old software developer, had always been health-conscious. For three weeks, she experienced debilitating nausea, intermittent watery diarrhea, and severe abdominal cramping that felt like 'being twisted from the inside.' She was exhausted, had lost 8 pounds, and was terrified she had a serious illness like Crohn's disease, which ran in her family. Her primary care doctor, suspecting a persistent infectious or inflammatory gastroenteritis, referred her to a gastroenterologist. The specialist recommended a stool test and a colonoscopy to rule out inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and examine her colon's lining. Olivia was very anxious about the procedure's preparation and the potential findings. The 'prep' was challenging, but the procedure itself, under sedation, was painless. The colonoscopy revealed only mild, non-specific inflammation consistent with post-infectious gastroenteritis, with no signs of IBD. The relief was overwhelming. With a clear diagnosis, Olivia followed a bland, low-FODMAP diet for a few weeks and took a probiotic. Her symptoms gradually resolved over the next month. Emotionally, she moved from a state of high anxiety and fear of a chronic condition to immense relief and empowerment, now equipped with a clear understanding of her body's recovery process.
Gastroenterologists for Gastroenteritis
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform gastroenteritis and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 25 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 34 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 14 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 18 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 49 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 32 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai