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Gastroenteritis viral - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Virus de Norwalk; Infección por rotavirus; Gripe estomacal

Definición:

Es la inflamación del estómago y los intestinos a raíz de un virus. La infección puede llevar a que se presente diarrea y vómitos y, algunas veces, se le denomina "gripe estomacal".

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

La gastroenteritis viral es una causa importante de diarrea grave tanto en adultos como en niños y muchos tipos de virus la pueden causar. Los más comunes son:

  • Astrovirus
  • Adenovirus entérico
  • Norovirus, también llamado virus similar a Norwalk, que es común entre niños en edad escolar
  • Rotavirus, la principal causa de gastroenteritis severa en niños y que también puede infectar a adultos expuestos a niños con el virus. Los brotes también pueden ocurrir en asilos de ancianos.

Estos virus se encuentran, con frecuencia, en el agua potable o en alimentos contaminados. Los síntomas de la gastroenteritis generalmente aparecen al cabo de 4 a 48 horas después de la exposición al agua o alimentos contaminados.

Las personas con el mayor riesgo de desarrollar gastroenteritis severa son, entre otros: los jóvenes, los ancianos y las personas inmunodeficientes.

  • Reviewed last on: 4/12/2010
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Divison of Physician Assistant STudies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Craig SA, Zich DK. Gastroenteritis. In: Mark JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2009:chap 92.

Zulfigar AB. Acute gastroenteritis in children. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 337.

Cortese MM, Parashar UD. Prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis among infants and children: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR. 2009;58:1-25.

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