A09.0: Other and unspecified gastroenteritis and colitis of infectious origin

Gastroenteritis and colitis of infectious origin, unspecified, refers to inflammation of the digestive tract, specifically the stomach and intestines, or the large intestine, respectively. This condition is usually caused by a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. The typical means of transmission include consumption of contaminated food or water, exposure to an infected person, or improper hand hygiene. Common symptoms may encompass stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and fever, which generally show up within one to three days after exposure to the pathogen and can last for about a few days to a week. The illness primarily affects the gastrointestinal system, causing it to become inflamed. This inflammation disrupts the usual functioning of the digestive system, leading to discomfort and the expulsion of the infectious agents through vomiting or diarrhea.