Acute infectious syndrome of the stomach lining and intestines.
Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Severity varies from transient diarrhea to life-threatening dehydration , children and the very old being more at risk for the latter. Many microorganisms produce it, either by secreting food poisoning , cholera , and traveler's diarrhea. Depending on cause and severity, treatment includes antibiotics or simply supportive care.