Rotovirus intestinal infection in children: treatment and symptoms of the disease

The children of younger preschool age have always been at risk of many diseases. Uneven body and excessively active behavior make them vulnerable to various viral diseases. And one of them is rotovirus intestinal infection in children, whose treatment is directed more at eliminating symptoms and consequences than fighting with the pathogen.

So what is rotavirus infection?

"Culprit" of the disease is a virus belonging to the family Reoviridae, the genus Rotavirus, which got into the human body with food, water or a contact-household way. Of the 9 types of rotaviruses, divided by antigenic properties, 6 are pathogenic to humans, while the remaining three affect only animals. The incubation period of the disease is 2-3 days, but it can last for a child and not more than 12 hours. Actively multiplying and accumulating in the epithelium of the oral cavity, the virus "descends" into the small intestine and destroys its mature cells. The consequence of this effect is a disruption in the ability of the digestive system to absorb nutrients and carbohydrates, which are then not split into the large intestine, provoking an increase in osmotic pressure. That is why the rotovirus intestinal infection in children requires treatment, aimed at preventing dehydration of the patient.

Risk groups for rotavirus infection

Due to its stability in the external environment, any person, regardless of age category and gender, can "catch" rotavirus. However, in an adult with a stable immune system, the disease can occur with mild symptoms, a characteristic disorder of the stomach or even without them. Also, according to the statistics of pediatricians, rotovirus intestinal infection in infants is very rare, since during the first 12 months of life, the immune system received from the mother acts. The main risk group is the age category of preschool children and children of primary school age.

Symptoms of the disease

Its second name "intestinal flu" rotavirus infection was received because in most cases the first symptoms of the disease are inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and an increase in the body temperature of the child. Incorrect diagnosis of the disease and not knowing that this is the manifestation of rotovirus intestinal infection in children, treatment of their children mums begin, as in the usual ARD. A couple of hours after the appearance of the first symptoms, the child begins repeated repeated vomiting and diarrhea. Kid, actively losing fluid, becomes sluggish and drowsy. This painful condition can also be accompanied by a dry, frequent cough, which provokes additional attacks of vomiting.

How to treat intestinal flu

Diagnosis of this disease in a hospital, where, in principle, doctors recommend it. As a rule, in a medical institution a child is prescribed antibiotic therapy (which, in principle, is not needed, since rotavirus is not sensitive to it) in combination with preparations for restoring the body's water balance. Most often in hospitals are given the third generation of cephalosporin antibiotics, which have a good bactericidal effect. For example, the drug "Ceftriaxone" or its more expensive analogues, such as the drug "Loraxon" and others, is used. To treat diarrhea and prevent the attachment of secondary infection, the drug "Nirofurozacid" is used. If the child, who has rotavirus, experiences repeated and profuse vomiting, the baby will make a prick of the preparation "Cerucal", which can be repeated after a couple of hours. Depending on the weight of the patient, the doctor will prescribe the dosage and medication "Smecta" or "Enterol", which will help cope with diarrhea. Beginning with the first minutes of treatment, one should not forget that a child loses a lot of fluids, so the amount should be systematically updated. To do this, the "Regidron" preparation or solutions of electrolytes, alkaline butylated water are suitable. They can be alternated, giving the child every 10-15 minutes drinking in small doses.

But even after the rotovirus intestinal infection in children has been completely destroyed, the treatment aimed at restoring the intestinal flora should continue. For this, small patients are prescribed drugs based on probiotic microorganisms, which will help the intestines restore their basic functions.

Can I treat rotavirus at home?

The decision on home treatment of rotavirus should be taken by the parents together with the doctor. Everything will hang from the state of the child. In addition, the family members of a sick patient should have information about what symptoms the rotovirus intestinal infection gives, treatment of its manifestations as it should be done in order to properly care for their baby. Taking responsibility for the life and health of a child infected with rotavirus, parents, except for medical treatment, it will be necessary to exert maximum efforts to restore the patient's water balance. For this, the baby will need to drink fractional parts of the liquid every 10-15 minutes, even during day and night sleep. Otherwise, hospitalization will not be avoided, since in the absence of frequent drinking, intoxication of the child's organism will lead to the most negative consequences.