Collection

Gastrointestinal infections: guidance, data and analysis

• From: Public Health England
• Part of: Infectious diseases
• Published: 1 July 2014
• Last updated: 21 February 2017, see all updates

The characteristics, diagnosis, management and epidemiology of gastrointestinal infections.

Infectious intestinal diseases affect 1 in 5 people in the UK each year and symptoms are not confined to diarrhoea and vomiting.

Public Health England (PHE) monitors trends in infection and outbreaks, drawing on data from:

• PHE reference laboratories
• the national laboratory reporting scheme
• consultants in communicable disease control (CCDCs)
• environmental health officers (EHOs)
• microbiologists

For trends in zoonotic infection in humans and animals, see Zoonoses in the UK.

Diagnosis

Gastrointestinal bacteria reference unit (GBRU) is the reference laboratory for a range of gastrointestinal pathogens. Details about GBRU services and request forms are available from the detailed guide below.

1. GBRU: reference and diagnostic services

   • 1 July 2014
   • Guidance

Management

1. Infection control in schools

   • 2 September 2014
   • Guidance

2. Preventing person-to-person gastrointestinal infections

   • 10 April 2004
   • Guidance

3. Farm visits: avoiding infection

   • 1 January 2014
   • Guidance

4. Hygiene and catering at large events: follow-up study

   • 10 July 2013
   • Research and analysis

5. Swim healthy (leaflet)

   • 1 July 2013
   • Promotional material

6. Care homes: infection prevention and control

   • 18 February 2013
   • Guidance

7. Typhoid and paratyphoid: public health operational guidelines

   • 19 May 2017
   • Guidance

8. Ready-to-eat foods: microbiological safety assessment guidelines

   • 1 November 2009
   • Guidance

9. Norovirus: managing infection in cruise ships

   • 1 July 2007
   • Guidance

Epidemiology

1. Common gastrointestinal infections in England and Wales: laboratory reports in 2014

   • 9 January 2015
   • Research and analysis

2. Less common gastrointestinal infections in England and Wales: laboratory reports in 2014

   • 9 January 2015
   • Research and analysis

3. Foodborne illness in humans: general outbreaks in England and Wales in 2014

   • 12 December 2014
   • Research and analysis

4. Gastrointestinal illness: outbreak investigation following a mass-participation River Thames swim

   • 1 May 2013
   • Research and analysis

Surveillance

1. Foodborne and non-foodborne gastrointestinal outbreaks surveillance

   • 26 March 2015
   • Guidance

Document information

Published: 1 July 2014

Updated: 21 February 2017

+ full page history

1. 21 February 2017 Added new section for surveillance.
2. 1 July 2014 First published.

From: Public Health England

Part of: Infectious diseases