What disorder characterized by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea could be prevented by good handwashing?

• A. Gastritis
• B. Gastroenteritis
• C. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• D. Hepatitis

Answer: (B)

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea point to an infectious gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines usually caused by viruses or bacteria that spread through the fecal-oral route. Good handwashing interrupts that transmission by removing pathogens from hands before they contaminate food, surfaces, or the mouth, which is why this hygiene habit is particularly effective at preventing gastroenteritis outbreaks.

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining, often due to factors like Helicobacter pylori infection or NSAID use, and it isn’t primarily a contagious illness spread by hand contact. Gastroesophageal reflux disease involves acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus, not an infection. Hepatitis is liver inflammation with various causes; while some forms can be transmitted via the fecal-oral route, its typical presentation isn’t the acute nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea pattern described here.