Several viruses are known to cause gastroenteritis. On a global basis viral enteric disease accounts for 60% of illness in developing countries and 40% in developed countries. Enteric viral infections are seen more frequently in infants and children and somewhat lesser in adults. The most common viruses causing gastrointestinal disease are Rotaviruses, Noroviruses, Astrovirus and certain Adenoviruses.
Often symptomatic patients are not diagnosed with a known enteropathogen (bacterium, parasite or yeast), so one could suspect that undiscovered enteropathogens (in particular viruses) are likely to exist. Rapid diagnosis of viral gastroenteritis assists ruling out suspicion of bacterial or parasitological disease.
This test is generally ordered for infants and children to rule out Rotaviruses, Noroviruses, Astrovirus and certain Adenoviruses once parasitic and bacterial testing has been deemed as negative.
Common Conditions:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Skin disorders
- Nausea
- Headaches
