Acute<unk>  and diarrhea are among the leading causes of seeking medical care. Approximately, 48 million cases occur annually that cost about $150 million for the U.S. health care system.<unk>  is defined as inflammation of the stomach or intestinal mucosa. It typically presents with acute diarrhea, fever, nausea and vomiting, anorexia and crampy abdominal pain and is defined as passage of loose stool for at least 3 times per day for less than 14 days. It may be caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites. Most cases of acute<unk>  are caused by viruses and among them, norovirus (norwalk virus) is the most common etiology for adults. Other common viral causes include, Rotavirus, Adenovirus and Astrovirus. Common bacterial causes of<unk>  include, Escherichia coli sp, Salmonella sp, Yersinia enterocolitica and Vibrio sp that can cause watery diarrhea and Shigella sp and Campylobacter sp that can cause dysenteric diarrhea. Parasites are other causes of<unk>  especially in developing countries which Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica are the most frequent causes. First step in management of this patients is to evaluate the hydration status and vital signs. Once the patient is stabilized, health care provider must proceed to diagnostic evaluation. There are some principles to decrease the risk of acquiring infection which include, using safe water and foods, avoid unsafe foods during traveling and hand washing.
Gastroenteritis
Enteritis
Colitis
Duodenitis
Stomatitis
Q fever
Ileitis
Cholecystitis