What is the Difference Between Viral and Bacterial Gastroenteritis

The key difference between viral and bacterial gastroenteritis is that viral gastroenteritis, caused by viruses, is a more common type of gastroenteritis, whereas bacterial gastroenteritis, caused by bacteria, is less prevalent.

Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestine. The main symptoms of this condition are vomiting and dehydration.  Normally, it is not a serious condition in healthy people. However, it can lead to serious symptoms in immunocompromised people. Gastroenteritis can be caused by a virus, a bacterium or a parasite.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Viral Gastroenteritis
3. What is Bacterial Gastroenteritis
4. Similarities – Viral and Bacterial Gastroenteritis
5. Viral vs. Bacterial Gastroenteritis in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Viral and Bacterial Gastroenteritis
7. Summary – Viral vs. Bacterial Gastroenteritis

What is Viral Gastroenteritis?

Viral gastroenteritis is a type of gastroenteritis caused by viruses such as rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus. Viral gastroenteritis is also known as stomach flu. The symptoms of viral gastroenteritis are nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, headache, fever, chills, stomachache, decreased urine output, dark coloured urine, dry skin, thirst, dizziness, dry diapers, lack of tears, dry mouth, drowsiness, and sunken fontanel. The risk factors for viral gastroenteritis are young children, older adults, school children or dormitory residents, and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Viral gastroenteritis can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examinations, and laboratory culture tests. Furthermore, viral gastroenteritis can be treated by giving intravenous fluid (IV), drinking plenty of light fluids, such as water, ice chips, fruit juice, or broth, avoiding drinking milk, caffeine, and alcohol, eating food easy to digest, rehydrating children with oral rehydration solutions, and antiviral medications.

What is Bacterial Gastroenteritis?

Bacterial gastroenteritis is a type of gastroenteritis caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Clostridiodes difficile. The symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis are nausea, vomiting, very high fever, abdominal cramping and pain, bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. The risk factors for bacterial gastroenteritis are age (older people and young people are at higher risk), handling raw fish and meat, not washing hands after going to the toilet or changing diapers, and recent travel to areas containing water contaminated with bacteria.

Bacterial gastroenteritis can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examinations, and blood tests. Furthermore, treatment options for bacterial gastroenteritis may include giving antibiotics, replacing fluids and electrolytes in the body, and IV fluid replacement.

What are the Similarities Between Viral and Bacterial Gastroenteritis?

• Viral and bacterial gastroenteritis are two different types of gastroenteritis.
• Both types may have similar symptoms, such as diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
• Both types can be diagnosed through medical history and physical examination.
• They can be treated by replacing lost fluid and specific medications.

What is the Difference Between Viral and Bacterial Gastroenteritis?

Viral gastroenteritis, caused by viruses like rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus, is a more common type of gastroenteritis, whereas bacterial gastroenteritis, caused by bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Clostridiodes difficile, is less prevalent. This is the key difference between viral and bacterial gastroenteritis.

The infographic below presents the differences between viral and bacterial gastroenteritis in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Viral and Bacterial Gastroenteritis

How long does bacterial gastroenteritis last?

Bacterial gastroenteritis usually lasts for 1 to 3 days.

How do I know if I have viral or bacterial gastroenteritis?

Your physician may conduct stool sample testing, and blood testing to confirm whether it is a viral or bacterial condition.

What is the best treatment for gastroenteritis?

Having plenty of water/fluids is the best treatment for gastroenteritis. In severe cases, if it is bacterial gastroenteritis, antibiotics can be used.

Summary – Viral vs. Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a short-term illness caused by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system. It has common symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting. A viral or bacterial tummy bug usually causes gastroenteritis. Therefore, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis are two different types of gastroenteritis. Viral gastroenteritis is a type of gastroenteritis caused by viruses such as rotavirus, norovirus, and adenovirus. Bacterial gastroenteritis is a type of gastroenteritis caused by bacterium such as E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Clostridiodes difficile. Thus, this summarizes the difference between viral and bacterial gastroenteritis.

Reference:

1. “Viral Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. Colledge, Helen. “Bacterial Gastroenteritis: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention.” Healthline, Healthline Media.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Figure 21 03 01” By CNX OpenStax – (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Gastroenteritis” By Scientific Animations.com (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia