How many outpatient visits does acute gastroenteritis cause annually in the United States?

How many outpatient visits does acute gastroenteritis cause annually in the United States?

• A. 120 million
• B. 179 million
• C. 90 million
• D. 240 million

Answer: (B)

Acute gastroenteritis places a very large burden on outpatient medical care each year. Many cases are viral and, even when symptoms are mild, people often seek care for dehydration, persistent diarrhea, or nausea, leading to a high number of visits across clinics and urgent-care centers. The best-supported national estimate is about 179 million outpatient visits annually, which sits between the lower figures (around 90–120 million) and the higher figure (about 240 million). This reflects the broad reach of AGE and the tendency for people to seek medical evaluation even for relatively mild cases, making 179 million the most plausible count among the given options.

Acute gastroenteritis places a very large burden on outpatient medical care each year. Many cases are viral and, even when symptoms are mild, people often seek care for dehydration, persistent diarrhea, or nausea, leading to a high number of visits across clinics and urgent-care centers. The best-supported national estimate is about 179 million outpatient visits annually, which sits between the lower figures (around 90–120 million) and the higher figure (about 240 million). This reflects the broad reach of AGE and the tendency for people to seek medical evaluation even for relatively mild cases, making 179 million the most plausible count among the given options.