Infectious gastroenteritis (IG) and Colitis are very different conditions, although they can share a few symptoms.
Infectious gastroenteritis is a contagious acute inflammation of the intestine caused by germs and toxins that alter the intestine’s ability to regulate the absorption and secretion of salts and water. Although rather unpleasant, IG generally heals after about a week.
Colitis, on the other hand, is a chronic digestive disease in which the inner lining of the colon becomes inflamed. There are many different types of colitis, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s colitis, Diversion colitis, infectious colitis, collagenous colitis, microscopic, lymphocytic, and atypical colitis, to name a few.
Symptoms & Signs
Few symptoms of colitis and infectious gastroenteritis overlap, mainly diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and possibly a fever. If you’ve contracted IG, there will not be blood in your stool. If there is, it’s a sign of a more severe infection or condition and you should seek medical attention.
Symptoms & Signs of Infectious Gastroenteritis
Symptoms of gastroenteritis can manifest within 1-3 days after infection. They generally last a day or two, although they linger for 2 weeks.
- Diarrhea (non-bloody)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Low-grade fever
- A general feeling of discomfort
Symptoms & Signs of Colitis
Colitis is a chronic condition with periods in which symptoms ‘flare up’, and periods of remission. The condition causes discomfort and pain in the abdomen, which can be mild and re-occur over long periods of time, or appear suddenly and be quite severe.
- Intense pain or tenderness in the abdomen
- Increased frequency of bowel habits
- Aching and painful joints
- Swollen colon tissue
- Depression
- Rapid weight loss
- Appetite loss
- Mucus or blood in stool
- Ulcers on the colon
- Rectal bleeding
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Erythema of the colon
- Diarrhea or constipation, depending on the form of colitis.
Causes & Risk Factors
The causes and risk factors of infectious gastroenteritis and colitis differ greatly. Colitis is not contagious, rather it is believed to mainly arise from an interaction between environmental and genetic factors, whereas IG does spread easily from person to person, making children and travelers much more susceptible.
Causes of Infectious Gastroenteritis
Infectious Gastroenteritis is highly contagious, spreading easily through close contact with others, touching shared surfaces and utensils, elevator buttons, handrails, and sharing food. Even after recovery, you are still contagious for a few days. IG can also spread through contaminated food and water.
Who is at risk for Infectious Gastroenteritis?
Young children are the most vulnerable to contracting infectious gastroenteritis. Other demographics at risk include:
- The elderly
- Travelers
- Soldiers
- Those who have measles
- Those who are immunocompromised
- Those who have received an organ transplant.
Causes of Colitis
The exact cause of Colitis remains unknown, but the latest evidence points to an interaction between environmental factors, intestinal bacteria, immune dysregulation, and genetic predisposition, especially for UC.
Other possible causes of Colitis:
- Infection caused by a virus or a parasite
- Infections caused by a virus or a parasite
- IBD (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
- Restricted blood flow (Ischemia)
- Past radiation
- Toxin exposure
- Immunodeficiency
- Loss of blood supply in the colon
- Lymphocytic white blood cells
- Invasion of the colon wall with collagen
Who is at risk for Colitis?
Risk Factors for Ulcerative Colitis:
- Caucasian or Ashkenazi Jewish descent
- Family history or relative with UC
- Increased consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids, a sedentary lifestyle, or smoking can contribute to the development of UC.
Risk factors for Pseudomembranous Colitis:
- Long-term use of antibiotics
- Hospitalization
- Chemotherapy
- Immunosuppressant Drugs
Risk factors of Infectious Colitis:
- Those over the age of 50
- Those with or at risk of heart disease
- Heart Failure
- Low Blood Pressure
- Those who have had an abdominal operation
Treatment
Due to having very different causes, infectious gastroenteritis and colitis require different types of healthcare. Colitis requires medical attention to address the inflammation, and patients may require support for nutritional deficiencies, dietary adjustments, and mental health. IG often resolves on its own, and many symptoms can be managed at home or with over-the-counter medication.
Infectious Gastroenteritis Treatment
Treatment for infectious gastroenteritis mainly involves ensuring you’re getting enough fluids into your system to avoid dehydration. You can treat IG from home by:
- Drinking plenty of fluids
- Eating small meals
- Replacing electrolytes (foods with potassium and salt)
You can also take over-the-counter pain medication for cramping and abdominal discomfort, but speak to your doctor before taking antidiarrhea medication as they may not be helpful.
While in recovery, it’s recommended to avoid consuming dairy products, food with high fiber and sugar, and eating too much food or liquid at once. Small meals are best.
When to seek medical attention for Infectious Gastroenteritis
Infectious gastroenteritis generally clears up on its own. However, there are some with a higher risk of complications, especially older adults and those who are immunocompromised.
Alert your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Constant vomiting
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
How can you prevent Infectious Gastroenteritis?
The best way to prevent viral gastroenteritis is to wash your hands often, especially before food preparation. Don’t share kitchen utensils if someone in your home is sick, wash fruits and vegetables well, and avoid contaminated water and food when traveling.
Colitis Treatment
Treatment for Ulcerative colitis usually involves drug therapy and may require surgery. The type of drug therapy will depend on how severe your condition is. Drug therapy for UC is generally anti-inflammatory drugs, like 5-aminosalicylates or corticosteroids, immune system suppressors, and biologics. These drugs all have side effects you should be aware of, and some may be more suitable for your condition than others.
You can also try natural treatments like Qing Dai or Curcumin, which studies have shown to be highly effective in inducing remission in mild-to-moderate UC.
How can you prevent Colitis?
Since the exact root cause of colitis is still unknown, researchers have yet to confirm ways to prevent developing colitis. That said, there are ways to manage colitis and reduce symptom flares.
1. Identify your trigger foods.
These may differ from person to person, but avoiding inflammatory foods in general can greatly reduce symptoms, or at least the severity of symptoms. The Mediterranean Diet is one of the healthiest diets in the world and is very easy to follow. It involves a variety of fresh, delicious, and anti-inflammatory foods without being too limiting.
2. Movement
Gentle daily movement like walking, yoga or Qigong can greatly reduce stress, and improve immune health and nutrition levels, altogether helping to reduce symptoms.
3. Prioritize Stress Management
Studies show a clear link between stress and colitis flare-ups. We release cortisol when we’re stressed, which increases inflammation, so taking stress relief seriously is one of the best things you can do to prevent a flare. Movement and eating clean can definitely help, as well as making sure you’re getting good quality sleep.
Infectious Gastroenteritis and the Risk of Developing IBD
Although infectious gastroenteritis has been known to exacerbate previously diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease, a study in 2021 found no association between IBD and bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections. The researchers acknowledged a lack of consistent results in previous studies and called for further research.
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