Final answer:
Gastrointestinal tract infections may be treated with antivirals, antibacterials, antifungals, or more broadly, antimicrobials, depending on the pathogen responsible. Narrow-spectrum antimicrobials are preferred to avoid resistance. Viral infections often require supportive care, while specific drugs are used for bacterial and fungal infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gastrointestinal tract infections may be treated with a variety of drugs, depending on the cause of the infection. When it comes to these infections, treatment can include antivirals, antibacterials (antibiotics), antifungals, and more generally, antimicrobials. Each of these treatments is targeted toward a specific type of pathogen responsible for the infection: antivirals for viral infections, antibacterials for bacterial infections, antifungals for fungal infections, and antimicrobials potentially for a broader range of pathogens.
An important aspect of treatment is the use of narrow-spectrum antimicrobial drugs, which are preferred in certain clinical situations, such as the treatment of a specific known microbe, to avoid superinfection and the development of antimicrobial resistance. For those infections caused by viruses, such as certain cases of viral gastroenteritis, antivirals are generally not used; instead, supportive care such as rehydration therapy is typically recommended. However, if a viral gastrointestinal infection is particularly severe, interferons may be utilized because of their effectiveness against viral infections.
In the event of a bacterial infection such as an overgrowth of C. difficile, antibacterial drugs like metronidazole would be used or alternative treatments like fecal transplant might be considered. On the other hand, fungal infections can be approached with antifungal medications, which are either applied topically or taken orally, and are distinctive for having to carefully target fungal cells that are similar to human cells.