

This type does not get spread person-to-person but can happen to a group of people at the same time if they all consume the same toxin-containing item.

Gastroenteritis caused by a toxin is acquired by eating or drinking something that has the toxin in it. It can also be acquired by handling contaminated objects or surfaces and then with unwashed hands touching your lips or mouth or eating hand held food. Infectious gastroenteritis is spread by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated by vomit or faeces from infected animals or people. Parasitic infections often take longer, while cases caused by a toxin usually become unwell within a few hours, depending on the type of toxin.

The time from contact with the bacteria or the virus and the development of symptoms is usually about 1 to 3 days. It is often possible to identify the cause of gastroenteritis by testing a stool (poo sample) or less commonly, a vomit sample. Some antibiotics can also cause gastroenteritis in susceptible
