Does Gastroenteritis Cause Weight Loss?

Posted on Tue, 4 Jul 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 4 Jul 2017 Answered on

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Can I expect weight loss from gastroenteritis?
How long will symptoms last?
Is this something that requires professional care?

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Gastroenteritis is usually self limiting.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for query.
Point wise answers are-

1)Is this something that requires professional care?

Answer-No usually not however in case you feel fatigued dehydrated with upper blood pressure less then 100 mm of hg you have to take treatment.
Gastroenteritisis an intestinal infection..Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within one to three days after you're infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may persist as long as 10 days.
Usually its viral and limits itself in 10 days however in case it's Protozoal or Bacterial you have to take antibiotics for 5 to 7 days.

2)How long will symptoms last?
Depending on cause-
Viral limits itself in 7-10 days.
Bacterial or protozoal -Till worms are Erradicated.

3)Can I expect weight loss from gastroenteritis?-Nausea vomiting loose stool causes body to lose large amount of water and salts like sodium which maintain's your weight hence transient decrease in weight can be seen in acute cases.

Please mention duration of your symptoms.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng