Enteritis
Enteritis is the inflammation of the small intestine, typically resulting from bacterial or viral infections. It can be triggered by consuming contaminated food or water, with common pathogens including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Shigella. Symptoms often arise within hours to a few days of exposure and may include abdominal pain, diarrhea (which can be bloody), gas, poor appetite, and, in rare cases, vomiting. While enteritis can often resolve without medical intervention, serious cases may lead to dehydration, particularly in vulnerable populations like young children and the elderly.
Diagnosis is primarily conducted through stool cultures, although this method may not always identify the specific bacteria responsible. Treatment generally focuses on managing symptoms and preventing dehydration, with electrolyte solutions recommended in severe cases. Preventive measures include practicing good hygiene, safe food handling, and ensuring access to clean drinking water. Awareness of these factors can help reduce the risk of enteritis, especially when traveling in areas with poor sanitation.
Enteritis
- ANATOMY OR SYSTEM AFFECTED: Digestive system, gastrointestinal system, intestines
- ALSO KNOWN AS: Bacterial enteritis, food poisoning
Definition
Enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine, often caused by bacterial infection.
Causes
Enteritis is often caused by consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria or viruses, which can migrate to the small intestine and cause swelling and inflammation. Common organisms that may cause enteritis include Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Staphylococcus aureus. Enteritis is also caused by food poisoning, some autoimmune diseases (such as Crohn’s disease), damage from radiation treatment, and drugs such as ibuprofen and cocaine.
Risk Factors
Exposure to unclean or improperly handled food and water, travel in areas with poor water quality and questionable food hygiene, and contact with a person with diarrhea are risk factors for enteritis. Another risk factor is eating foods with mayonnaise or dairy products that have been unrefrigerated for long periods, such as at picnics or during parties. Autoimmune diseases may also contribute to the development of enteritis. Receiving radiation treatment to the abdomen can result in complications in the intestine, including enteritis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of enteritis occur from hours to a few days after infection and include gas, diarrhea, pain or cramping in the abdomen, poor appetite, and rarely, vomiting. Bloody diarrhea and fever may indicate infection with E. coli bacteria. Severe diarrhea may cause dehydration, in which the body loses too much fluid. Babies and children with diarrhea may become dehydrated quickly. Severe dehydration may be life-threatening.
Screening and Diagnosis
There is no screening test for enteritis. Diagnosis is made based on a stool culture to identify bacteria, but this test does not always identify the specific causative organism. Because diarrhea is a common symptom in several diseases, the physician will ask questions about recent travel, exposure to others with diarrhea, and any diseases or treatments that may be present in the infected person. Diagnosis also includes a physical examination.
Treatment and Therapy
Symptoms usually disappear without treatment. Antidiarrheal medicines are not recommended because they may slow the bacteria’s movement from the intestine. If dehydration occurs, electrolyte solutions may be recommended to replenish the fluids in the body. Consuming small amounts of liquid frequently will decrease the risk of dehydration. Persons taking diuretics, or water pills, are usually asked to stop the medication. In rare cases with children and the elderly, intravenous fluids, or fluids given through a vein, may be indicated; this may also require hospitalization. Avoiding dairy products is recommended because they can make the diarrhea worse. One should consult a doctor if the diarrhea persists, if a fever is present, or if the person becomes dehydrated.
Prevention and Outcomes
Careful handwashing, especially after using a toilet; safe food handling; and drinking only clean water are helpful in preventing enteritis. Other preventive measures include keeping cold foods cold and hot foods hot, carefully washing utensils and cutting boards after food preparation, and cooking food to recommended temperatures. When traveling, one should drink bottled water or use purification tablets and should ensure that food is cooked properly. One should not eat raw foods, such as salads, that are washed using the local water supply and should avoid drinking from streams and rivers without first boiling the water.
Bibliography
"Enteritis." Britannica, 15 Jan. 2025, www.britannica.com/science/enteritis. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
"Enteritis." MedlinePlus, 11 June 2024, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001149.htm. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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Johnson, Leonard R., ed. Gastrointestinal Physiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Mosby/Elsevier, 2007.
Kirschner, Barbara S., and Dennis D. Black. “The Gastrointestinal Tract.” In Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics, edited by Karen J. Marcdante et al. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier, 2011.