Acute Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract

摘要

Even though “shot-gun” treatment often proves effective in acute enteric infections, attempt to establish accurate diagnosis is still worthwhile. In most cases acute enteric infection is self limited and responds well to symptomatic treatment. Postantibiotic diarrhea is relatively common and is often severe. Usually the organism is staphylococcus and at present, at least, erythromycin seems to be the drug of choice in treatment.Antibiotics should be used only when definitely indicated. Indiscriminate “specific” treatment for acute diarrheas may mask acute infections with organisms which are suppressed—not conquered. These infections present a potential public health problem.Cases of acute gastroenteritis that are apparently of staphylococcic or viral origin should be managed symptomatically at first. If satisfactory response is not obtained quickly, accurate bacteriological diagnosis should be sought.