Rotavirus infection - what is and how to treat? Prevention

Symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, we are used to consider as indicators that a person has poisoning. But it is not always the case. The above and other symptoms may also indicate a disease such as rotavirus infection. What is this disease, what is it accompanied and what are the ways of treatment? The answers to these, as well as many other questions, will be considered in the article.

General information about the disease

The disease has several names: intestinal flu, gastric flu, rotavirus, rotavirus gastroenteritis, rotavirus infection. What is this ailment and what provokes its appearance? The disease is infectious and is caused by rotaviruses. It can affect both very young children and adults.

How quickly rotavirus infection manifests itself? The incubation period of the disease can last from 1 to 5 days. In this case, the patient is the carrier of the infection and remains contagious to others from the very first day until the time of full recovery.

How long do I have to get rid of a problem like rotavirus infection? How long does the disease last? It depends on the nature of its course, the characteristics of the organism and even the age of the patient. Adults, as a rule, suffer ailment much easier and recover after 5-7 days.

Ways of contracting the disease

It is impossible not to remember how the rotavirus infection is transmitted. Most of the infections occur through the oral cavity. Sometimes it is enough to eat something with dirty hands or unwashed fruits and vegetables, so that soon the ailment makes itself felt. Often the virus enters the body along with dairy products. This is due to the specific nature of their production.

Rotaviruses have excellent resistance to environmental conditions and do not perish in the refrigerator, nor in chlorinated water, nor in holy water. Children can pick up the disease even when they go to school, kindergarten or day nursery. This can be explained by the fact that viruses and other microorganisms in these institutions are different from the "domestic" ones that are habitual for the child.

In addition to all this, the disease can be transmitted from a sick person to a healthy contact-household and even airborne way. Therefore, with the slightest suspicion of having rotavirus infection, one of the members of the family or others should minimize communication with him (up to complete isolation) for the entire period of treatment.

Symptoms of the disease in children

What is accompanied by rotavirus infection in children? Komarovsky (a famous children's doctor, to whose advice many mothers of Russia and other countries listen) will answer this question.

So, it is worth starting with the fact that the children have a pronounced disease since the first days of its appearance. Symptoms accompanied by rotavirus infection:

• Vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• Change in color and consistency of the stool: on the first day it is liquid and acquires a yellow color, and on the second and third it becomes clay and gray-yellow.

In addition, the baby has an appetite, the baby becomes sluggish and drowsy. His throat may blush, a runny nose may appear. There may be pain during swallowing.

Increased temperature with rotavirus infection is also a very common symptom. It can go up to 39 degrees, and knocking it down is quite problematic.

Quite small children who can not yet explain what hurts them, become very irritable and whiny. A separate symptom in these babies is rumbling in the abdomen.

Symptoms of the disease in adults

Adults endure the disease much easier, since its symptoms are less pronounced, and some may not be present at all. As a rule, rotavirus in adults is accompanied by a decrease in appetite, weakness, fever, abdominal pain and the appearance of a loose stool. In most cases, the patient's vomiting does not bother, although there are exceptions to this rule.

As you can see, the symptoms of the disease are very easily confused with the usual poisoning. How, then, is the correct diagnosis established? It is necessary to accurately answer one question in order to determine the presence of such an ailment as rotavirus infection: how many days do symptoms persist? The fact is that the usual poisoning takes place after 2-3 days, while the intestinal flu can be disposed of no earlier than 5 days after its appearance.

Treatment of the disease in children

How to get rid of such a disease as rotavirus infection in children? Komarovsky will help in solving this issue. A well-known and beloved by many pediatricians pays special attention to the fact that in the first place it is necessary to provide the child with a sufficient amount of liquid. This will help to avoid dehydration of the body and the unpleasant consequences associated with it, which can manifest as failures in the work of individual internal organs and even death. In this case, it is worth paying attention to the fact that water should enter the body of the baby in small portions (up to 50 g at a time). This is necessary in order to avoid a vomiting reflex whenever possible.

It is important to monitor the condition of the baby, especially for babies. If he does not have sweat, urination does not occur for more than three hours, dry tongue and child cry without tears, this indicates dehydration (dehydration) of the body. In this case, you need to call an ambulance urgently. Especially this applies to situations where a child refuses a bottle or a cup of water or everything that he drinks, immediately exits the body through vomiting. Doctors will conduct intravenous rehydration, and if necessary, they will take the baby with her mother to the hospital.

During the period of illness it is strictly forbidden to give the child dairy products: milk, kefir, cottage cheese and so on. The exception is only the mother's breast milk.

What can I eat when I get a diagnosis of "rotavirus infection"? Than to feed the kid? In the absence of appetite, you do not have to force the child to eat by force. Alternatively, it can offer slightly sweetened liquid rice porridge, boiled on water, homemade jelly, chicken broth. All this should be given in small portions (up to 50 g).

As for medical preparations, the child can be assigned sorbents (for example, activated charcoal) and "Regidron" to restore the water-salt balance. The latter must be diluted in liter of water and gradually given to the child every 30 minutes throughout the day. The only exception is the time of sleep.

The next thing is to eliminate the heat. It is worth noting that in this case, as well as with other infectious diseases, the temperature to 38 degrees is not to be knocked down, if it does not bring the child noticeable inconveniences. In other situations, the doctor may prescribe a candle to the child (for example, "Cefekon"), syrup ("Nurofen") or tablets ("Paracetamol"). In cases where the temperature does not go off for a long time, a baby over one year old can be given Paracetamol with 1/4 tablet of Analgin.

Excellent results in the fight against high temperatures show wiping with a weak solution of vodka. It is important to follow a few simple rules:

• To wipe it is necessary absolutely all body of the kid, not missing even the smallest sites;
• At the end of the procedure, wear thin socks on the legs;
• Wiping can be done no earlier than half an hour after taking the antipyretic preparation, in the case when the temperature does not begin to subside;
• It is strictly forbidden to bury the child!

In the presence of symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, which are accompanied by fever, the pediatrician can prescribe the "Enterofuril" or "Enterol". Dosage in this case will depend on the child's age, and the treatment period will be at least five days. Preparations help to get rid of bacterial intestinal infection and contribute to the rapid elimination of diarrhea.

From pains in the abdomen, the child can be given "No-shpu". To do this, in the syringe, you need to collect 1 ml of solution and pour the baby into the mouth, then give a drink of tea.

After the child begins to appear an appetite, he is appointed "Bactisubtil". It promotes the treatment of diarrhea and the recovery of microflora in the intestine. Give it necessary for 1 dissolved in water capsule twice a day, an hour before eating. The course of treatment is usually 5 days.

Treatment of disease in adults

To understand what measures must be taken for successful treatment, it is worth paying attention to the symptoms that accompany the disease. Any antiviral agent with rotavirus infection will not show effectiveness. The main goal of the treatment in this case is the elimination of unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

Rotavirus infection (what is this ailment, we already know) in most cases is accompanied by high fever. It is worth considering that the virus that provokes the appearance of the disease, dies only at 38 degrees. That's why you should not bring down the temperature until it reaches 39 degrees. If necessary, you can use any of the available antipyretic drugs, always following the dosage specified in the instructions. There are also other ways of lowering the temperature with the diagnosis of "rotavirus infection". Treatment at home in the absence of medical devices can be carried out with the help of a vodka solution. They need to rub the whole body, paying special attention to the feet and palms. One such rubbing usually knocks down the temperature by one degree. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated several times a day.

The next point is the elimination of diarrhea. To this end, you can start taking Enterofuril twice a day. The period of treatment should be at least 5 days. This also applies to cases where the symptoms of the disease disappeared before the specified time interval.

Despite the fact that the drug is excellent in effectiveness and prevents the occurrence of protracted diarrhea, before using it is advisable to consult a doctor. Based on the characteristics of the patient's body and the nature of the course of the disease, he can choose another, more suitable means.

In order to get rid of the pulling or sharp cramping pains in the abdomen, you can drink one pill "No-shpy". But this method can be used only in cases when the diagnosis is officially confirmed! Otherwise, you need to seek qualified help to identify the exact cause of pain and exclude more serious diseases, such as acute appendicitis.

In addition to all of the above, it is necessary to take and such drugs with rotavirus infection, which will contribute to the early recovery of intestinal microflora. One such means is Linex. The dosage and the duration of medication treatment in each case are determined by the doctor, so it is worth listening to all of his recommendations.

Diet in case of disease

What else can be done to get rid of such a disease as rotavirus infection as soon as possible? Treatment at home also provides for adherence to a special diet.

Let's start with the children's menu. Above it has already been mentioned that the infant is contraindicated in the use of any dairy products, except breast milk. Better at the time of treatment, replace them with water or herbal teas: with ginger to eliminate pain in the abdomen or with mint to reduce nausea.

Food should be easily digestible. The broths, soups, vegetable juices, mashed potatoes will perfectly suit. After the child begins to recover, it is necessary to introduce yogurt into his diet. It will help restore the level of beneficial bacteria in the intestines.

Next, go to the menu for adults. In the first days of the disease it is worth sticking to the diet number 4. It includes the use of crackers from white bread, broths, low-fat fish and meat, rice or semolina porridge, cooked on the water. If possible, you should exclude salt from your diet.

As a drink you can use ordinary water or useful decoctions of black currant, raspberries, blueberries or cocoa, cooked on water, and tea.

After the diarrhea has decreased, you can add mashed potatoes, dishes from vegetables (carrots, beets, cauliflower, tomatoes) and soups to the menu described above. Seasonal berries and fruits will also be useful.

For the period of treatment it is necessary to refuse porridge from barley and pearl barley, smoked and salted fish, canned food, pasta and butter products, cabbage, garlic, radish, onions. Categorically prohibited fatty, fried and spicy food, dairy products, fast food, chips, coffee and carbonated drinks.

Rotavirus infection in pregnancy

The disease can affect pregnant women. Usually it takes place in an easy form, so women very rarely seek medical help. Scientists have proved that the ailment does not harm the fetus and does not affect the course of pregnancy.

Rotavirus infection during pregnancy is accompanied by weakness, nausea and vomiting, a loose and frequent stool (5 to 15 times a day), an increase in body temperature. In severe cases, there may be signs of dehydration, tachycardia (rapidity of the pulse), lowering of blood pressure.

Treatment in this case consists in combating the syndrome of intoxication, reimbursement of water and salt costs with the help of abundant drinking or intravenous fluids, as well as restoration of the functions of the stomach and intestines. In addition, it is important to adhere to the special diet, which was mentioned above.

Complications of the disease

In the case of a significant decrease in immunity in the patient or lack of timely treatment, rotavirus infection may cause some complications.

First of all, the disease is dangerously dehydrated. This can occur in cases of severe diarrhea or vomiting. The situation is aggravated by a significant increase in temperature. To avoid this condition, it is very important to take a sufficient amount of liquid: water, fruit drinks, herbs.

In cases where vomiting is very severe and the body does not take even minimal doses of drinking, there is a need for urgent hospitalization. In the hospital, the required amount of fluid will be injected intravenously by means of a dropper.

Another danger of the disease lies in the fact that in the absence of necessary and timely treatment there is a high probability of bacterial intestinal infection. In this case, even a lethal outcome is possible , so it is very important to take all necessary measures to get rid of the problem. An experienced specialist will be able to help in this matter, so do not postpone your visit to the clinic.

But anyway, rotavirus infection (what is this disease and what it is accompanied, you already know) is not an ailment that causes distant consequences and complications. Moreover, an adult can develop immunity to him. But this, unfortunately, does not mean that repeated gastric flu will not bother anymore. The fact is that it can be caused by several kinds of microorganisms, and not by any one. Therefore it is necessary to take care of the observance of elementary preventive measures as much as possible, which will help to avoid such trouble.

Prevention of disease

To understand what preventive measures can be taken, it is worth remembering the causes of the disease and excluding them. First of all, it is observance of elementary rules of personal hygiene: washing hands before meals, after the street and visiting the toilet. This applies to both adults and young children.

In addition, you need to carefully monitor the purity and quality of foods eaten. For example, apples should be washed, not wiped, and dairy and other products should not be spoiled and with expired shelf life.

Another way to prevent rotavirus infection is to carry out vaccination to develop immunity against the disease. It is worth considering this point a little more.

Rotavirus vaccine

The vaccine against rotaviroza contains in its composition the main living attenuated viruses, which in most cases are the causative agents of the disease. After its introduction, a person forms immunity, which can persist for several years. The first such inoculation is recommended for children, whose age has not yet reached two years.

Vaccination is usually carried out in two stages, between which must pass at least 4 weeks. The drug is available in the form of drops, which must be instilled in the mouth according to the instructions. Only such a medical officer can carry out such manipulations!

As practice shows, vaccination against rotavirus in children can be carried out in combination with other vaccinations (PDA, DTP, against polio and so on). It does not affect the effectiveness of other medications in any way and can not cause an increase in the likelihood of side effects.

Despite the ease of vaccination and its safety for the body, in some cases it can not be carried out. To them it is possible to carry:

• The appearance of an allergic reaction in the child after the first dose administered;
• The presence of defects in the development of the intestine;
• Suffered intussusception of the intestine.

The vaccination against rotavirus infection is distinguished by excellent tolerability and no adverse reactions. As an exception, only the appearance of an allergy as a result of an individual's intolerance to one of the components can be noted.

Vaccination, unfortunately, does not give a 100% guarantee that the disease will not affect the vaccinated person. At the same time, its effectiveness remains high enough.

It is worth noting and some of the disadvantages of this type of vaccination. The fact is that the vaccine against rotavirus is not included in the national calendar both in Russia and in many other countries. Therefore, those who wish to receive it will have to spend some time searching. In addition, the cost of the vaccine is quite high.

Conclusion

So, we learned about a disease like rotavirus infection. Treatment, nutrition, symptoms and methods of prevention were discussed in the article.

As you can see, with the right approach, the disease is easy to cure, so do not be afraid at the appearance of its symptoms. The main thing is to timely notice the problem and take all necessary measures.

Take care of yourself and be well!