Gastroenteritis fact sheet

What is gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis (also known as gastro) is an infection of the bowel. It can be caused by different viruses, bacteria or parasites (‘germs’).

A faeces (poo) specimen needs to be collected and tested by a laboratory to identify the ‘germ’ causing illness, but sometimes not all ‘germs’ are able to be identified. 

Gastroenteritis can be caused by bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, or parasites such as Cryptosporidium or viruses such as Norovirus and Rotavirus. See below for more information on specific diseases that cause gastroenteritis.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of gastroenteritis can include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea, fever or muscle aches and pains. Symptoms can take one to seven days (or longer) to develop, depending on the 'germ' causing the illness. 

Illness may last one or two days but can last up to a week or more and can affect people of all ages. 

Gastro can be serious in young children, the elderly and those with impaired immune systems.

How is it treated?

People usually recover from gastro within a few days and without antibiotic treatment.

• Anyone with diarrhoea or vomiting should drink to keep hydrated. Children with diarrhoea or vomiting who refuse extra fluids should see a doctor. 

• Anyone with prolonged or severe diarrhoea or who has symptoms causing them concern should see a doctor.

• Medicines to prevent vomiting or diarrhoea should not be given (especially in children) except when specifically prescribed by a doctor. Sometimes anti-diarrhoeal medications may make symptoms worse. 

• Antibiotics are only needed if the gastro is caused by certain bacteria or parasites

How is it spread?

Gastro 'germs' can be spread by poor hygiene (such as not washing hands after going to the toilet, changing nappies or cleaning up vomit), contact with contaminated surfaces, contaminated or spoiled food, polluted water or handling pets and animals. 

Gastroenteritis can be highly infectious, and is spread by:

• Contact with someone who is infected or touching objects that they have touched.
• Drinking contaminated water or food. 
• Swimming in contaminated water – in the ocean, rivers or swimming pools.
• Having contact with infected animals or their faeces (poo).
• Having sexual contact with someone who is infected.

Sometimes when people get gastro, they think it is food poisoning, but this is usually not the case. 

People with gastro can infect others while the germ remains in their faeces (poo) and can spread infection even though they appear well. 

The risk of infection usually decreases after diarrhoea has stopped.

How is it prevented?

Good hygiene is the best way to prevent the further spread of gastroenteritis. 

• Wash hands in warm soapy water for 20 seconds after going to the toilet, changing nappies or soiled linen, gardening, touching pets or other animals and handling raw meat or poultry.
• Never change nappies on tables or counters where food is prepared or eaten.
• Regularly clean shared books, toys, equipment, furnishings, floors, nappy change areas and toilets (including toilet door handles).
• Do not drink water from rivers, creeks, lakes and dams. If untreated water is the only available source, it should be boiled for one minute before drinking or using it to prepare food. 
• Keep your food safe by cooking food properly, keeping your fridge at 5°C or less, and keeping raw meat, poultry and eggs separate from cooked or prepared food, like salads. 
• When travelling overseas, drink bottled water or boil water (check information for your destination). Avoid ice cubes in drinks as this may have been made with contaminated water.
• When planning to travel overseas, talk to your doctor about vaccinations recommended for your destination, for example typhoid, cholera and hepatitis A. 

What should I do if I have gastro?

• Don’t prepare food to be eaten by others until you have had no diarrhoea for at least 48 hours.
• If you are involved in food preparation or care for others in hospitals, aged care homes or childcare, stay home from work while unwell and do not return to work until 48 hours after your symptoms have ceased.
• Keep children home from childcare or school for at least 48 hours after their symptoms (vomiting or diarrhoea) have ceased. 
• Do not swim, wade or paddle in public pools or other recreational water facilities for at least two weeks after symptoms have ceased.
• Maintain good hygiene and handwashing practices, even after symptoms have ceased.
• If you think your illness may have been caused by food, you can report this to the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 and select the option for Food Safety.

Outbreak measures for gastroenteritis

• Public Health Services can support the response to outbreaks of gastroenteritis. 
• If there are two or more cases of gastroenteritis in a hospital, childcare centre, aged care home or other institution call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 and ask to speak to a Clinical Nurse Consultant – Communicable Diseases. 
• If you think an outbreak may have been caused by food, you can report this to the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 and select the option for Food Safety.

Where to get help

• See your GP 
• Visit an after-hours Urgent Care Centre 
• Call Healthdirect 24/7 on 1800 022 222

For more information about care options go to www.health.tas.gov.au/rightcare

Specific diseases that cause gastroenteritis