Question

what are the risk factors ov GIT infection?

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Answer 1

The risk factors for gastrointestinal tract infections are

1. Lower socioeconomic status
2. Poor sanitation facilities
3. Use of proton pump inhibitors - increase risk of campylobacter and clostridium difficile colitis
4. History of travel - shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter spp
5. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for prolonged periods leads to Clostridium difficle infection. This is common amongst a patient who is admitted, recently discharged or on OPD follow up.
6. History of consumption of outdoor foodstuff/takeaways - Clostridium perfringen
7. History of consumption of chitterlings (small intestine of pigs) - increases the risk of yersinia enterocolitis
8. Undernutrition is a risk factor for GIT infection. Example astrovirus
9. Norovirus infections are seen in the health care setting and cruise ship
10. History of child daycare - Rotavirus, astrovirus, calicivirus, campylobacter, shigella, Cryptosporidium species
11. Animal exposure - Salmonella, and campylobacter
12. Concomitant immunocompromised state - recurrent GIT infection
13. History alcoholism - Entamoeba histolytica, giardiasis
14. Ingestion of raw or contaminated food.
15. The tendency of eating mud/soil - parasitic infection.