Gastroenteritis Health Article

PERIODICALS

Farthing, M., et al. "The Management of Infective Gastroenteritis in Adults." Journal of Infection 33 (1996): 143.

Gorbach, Sherwood L. "Efficacy of Lactobacillus in Treatment of Acute Diarrhea." Nutrition Today 31, no. 6 (Dec. 1996):195.

Hart, C. Anthony, and Nigel A. Cunliffe. "Viral Gastroenteritis." Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases 10 (1997): 408.

Moss, Peter J., and Michael W. McKendrick. "Bacterial Gastroenteritis." Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases 10(1997): 402.

Subcommittee on Acute Gastroenteritis. "Practice Parameter: The Management of Acute Gastroenteritis in Young Children." Pediatrics 97 (Mar. 1996): 424.

Julia Barrett

KEY TERMS

Dehydration—A condition in which the body lacks the normal level of fluids, potentially impairing normal body functions.

Electrolyte—An ion, or weakly charged element, that conducts reactions and signals in the body. Examples of electrolytes are sodium and potassium ions.

Glucose—A sugar that serves as the body's primary source of fuel.

Influenza—A virus that affects the respiratory system, causing fever, congestion, muscle aches, and headaches.

Intravenous (IV) therapy—Administration of intravenous fluids.

Microflora—The bacterial population in the intestine.

Pathogenic bacteria—Bacteria that produce illness.

Probiotics—Bacteria that are beneficial to a person's health, either through protecting the body against pathogenic bacteria or assisting in recovery from an illness.