It is known that most often gastroenteritis is caused by viruses. The most common of these are E. coli and rotavirus. In such cases, the disease becomes contagious to others.
The risk of gastroenteritis in children is significantly increased due to poor immunity, as well as lack of habit of hygiene. In most cases( up to 70 percent), diarrhea in children is caused by rotaviruses. Adults suffer less from this disease because of stronger immunity.
About 20% of gastroenteritis causes norovirus. It is easily transmitted in close groups of people who have long been in a closed space. Infection often occurs in hospitals, sanatoria, maternity hospitals, boarding schools, cruise ships and places of detention. The fastest way gastroenteritis infects children who are fed artificially, people who have weakened immunity, as well as those suffering from chronic and acute diseases. Even after recovery, some people remain carriers of the virus and can infect others.
Sometimes gastroenteritis is transmitted from sick pets. The mechanism of infection is fecal-oral. All family members are exposed to the risk of the disease, especially children, who often play with animals and do not observe hygiene rules.
Sometimes, in rare cases, it is possible to transfer gastroenteritis from people who have fallen ill with salmonellosis or healthy carriers, and the lungs and those not cured to the end of its form are more contagious to others.
Salmonellosis is transmitted in various ways, including food, drinking and domestic. Viruses can even be flies. Most often, infection occurs when you use infected products, especially semi-finished products. Household transmission of salmonellosis is most often found among toddlers, old and elderly, as well as chronically ill and weakened people. Often there are hospital outbreaks of the disease.
To prevent gastroenteritis from spreading to others, it is necessary to isolate the sick people, thoroughly wash the dishes and objects used by the infected person, strictly observe the hygiene in caring for the sick and preparing food for the rest of the family members. People caring for patients with gastroenteritis are also at risk of infection.