EXPLAINER: What is gastroenteritis and how to treat it?

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 11) — Gastroenteritis, a short-term illness caused by viruses and bacteria in the digestive system, has so far afflicted over 2,000 people in Baguio City.

With the growing cases of infection, authorities are looking into contaminated water as the possible source of the outbreak.

Here are some of the things you need to know about the intestinal infection.

What is gastroenteritis?

The United States National Center for Biotechnology Information described gastroenteritis as an infection or inflammation affecting the stomach and intestines when they ingest contaminated food and water.

It said that a patient with gastroenteritis experiences an increase in bowel movement frequency that consists of three or more bowel movements in a day.

The Baguio City local government said 45 patients were hospitalized due to the infection.

What are its symptoms?

People with gastroenteritis may experience symptoms such as nausea, watery diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever, the US agency said.

They may also watch out for dehydration and depletion of electrolytes as some cases may be alarming that hospitalization is needed, it added.

On its website, the US National Center for Biotechnology Information said gastroenteritis can also be classified according to the duration of its symptoms:

-Acute: 14 days or fewer than 14 days in duration.

-Persistent: More than 14 but fewer than 30 days in duration.

-Chronic: More than 30 days in duration.

-Recurrent: Diarrhea that recurs after 7 days without diarrhea

On Wednesday, the Baguio local government recorded 350 cases of acute gastroenteritis, which have been documented since Dec. 21.

How to treat and prevent gastroenteritis?

As gastroenteritis may lead to dehydration, the Department of Health (DOH) advise patients to drink water, ideally with an oral rehydration solution.

To ensure clean drinking water, boil the water for two minutes or use chlorine-based water disinfection solutions or tablets before drinking, the DOH said.

Patients should also consult a doctor for further medication, it added.

The DOH said the public should make sure they use clean water when preparing food,