Stomach flu is a common infectious disease that affects both adults and children equally. The disease is accompanied by catarrhal phenomena and digestive disorders. Despite the fact that most often the infection fades away on its own, you should not refuse medical help.
What is a disease? Exciter characteristic
In modern medicine, cases of stomach flu in adults and children are often recorded. In fact, this disease is not a “flu”, just as it does not belong to the group of respiratory infections. Its causative agents are rotaviruses, members of the Reoviridae family. This virus infects the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, in particular the stomach and intestines (which is why the disease is often called the “intestinal flu”).
In medicine, another term is used to refer to this disease - gastroenteritis. According to statistics, outbreaks of this infection are more often observed in the autumn-winter period, although, of course, infection is possible.throughout the year.
What happens in the body after infection?
Rotavirus after entering the body quickly penetrates into the cells of the small intestine - viral particles in these structures of the digestive tract can be detected already half an hour after infection. The vital activity of the pathogen disrupts the natural structure and functioning of the intestinal mucosa.
In turn, these processes affect the synthesis of digestive enzymes that break down complex carbohydrates. Undigested sugars accumulate in the small intestine, which bind and hold fluid inside - which is why the stomach flu is accompanied by diarrhea and other disorders.
How is the infection transmitted? Risk Factors
The source of pathogenic organisms is a sick person. Viral particles enter the body through the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. There are several routes of transmission:
- Viral particles can enter the body along with unwashed vegetables and fruits, stitched or low-quality food. The pathogen can also spread through running water.
- The virus is excreted from the human body along with vomit and feces. Stomach flu is classified as a "disease of unwashed hands."
- Airborne transmission is also possible. The infection can be caught by talking or close contact with a sick person, as viral particles are released from his body during coughing, sneezing.
- It is impossible to exclude the contact-household way of spreading the infection. The disease can be caught in public places, such as schools, kindergartens, shops, offices, etc.
It is worth noting that these viruses are very resistant to the effects of the external environment. The infection dies when treated with chlorine and some other antiseptics, as well as when heated to 70-80 degrees. Keep in mind that you can catch the infection in a contaminated reservoir, as well as in a sauna or public pool (provided that workers do not properly disinfect).
Stomach flu: symptoms, features of the clinical picture
As already mentioned, viral particles enter the body through the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. The incubation period in most cases lasts no more than a day, although sometimes the first symptoms appear after 4-5 days.
- The disease begins acutely. There is a general malaise, weakness, headache. Patients complain of body aches. Sometimes there is rumbling and pain in the abdomen.
- In the list of symptoms of stomach flu in children, you can add an increase in body temperature up to 39, and sometimes up to 40 degrees Celsius. Fever is much less common in adults.
- Catarrhal phenomena are possible. Patients have a runny nose, burning nose, sore throat, sometimes coughing.
- The main symptom is diarrhea. Sometimes defecation is carried out several dozen times a day. The patient's stool is frothy,mushy, yellow or greenish yellow.
- There are other disorders of the digestive system. In particular, many patients suffer from pain and rumbling in the abdomen, severe nausea, which turns into vomiting.
- Some patients develop secondary lactase deficiency. The use of dairy products against the background of gastroenteritis leads to an aggravation of the above symptoms.
- Prolonged diarrhea and vomiting lead to dehydration. Therefore, patients suffer from weakness, increased fatigue. Dizziness occurs periodically, and in more severe cases, these episodes end with a temporary loss of consciousness.
The acute phase of the disease, as a rule, lasts no more than 5-7 days, after which the symptoms begin to gradually fade. However, the patient's body needs a few more days (in severe cases and weeks) to fully recover.
Stages of disease progression
The symptoms of stomach flu are directly dependent on the stage of development. To date, there are four main phases of the development of the disease:
- The incubation period can last from several hours to five days. There are no characteristic symptoms of the disease during this period, but patients sometimes notice a deterioration in well-being and the appearance of a constant feeling of thirst.
- The catarrhal period lasts from 24 to 48 hours. At this time, nasal congestion appears, a slight runny nose, although these symptoms usually pass quickly.
- Next comes the acute period of gastroenteritis. There are disorders of the digestive system (in particular, abdominal pain and diarrhea), the body temperature rises sharply, the person becomes weak and lethargic.
- The recovery phase is coming. Symptoms begin to gradually disappear, although some lethargy, drowsiness, and fatigue persist for several days.
What complications does the disease lead to?
Treatment of gastric flu in most cases ends successfully - the patient's body is fully restored. It is even believed that to some extent the transferred disease provides temporary partial immunity. For example, it has been observed that the symptoms of stomach flu in adults who had rotavirus gastroenteritis in childhood are less pronounced, and the disease itself is much easier to tolerate.
The disease is often associated with dehydration, which is fraught with a lot of complications. There is a possibility of developing disorders of the circulatory system, up to heart failure. The mortality rate among patients with viral gastroenteritis does not exceed 3%.
Diagnostic measures
In modern medical practice, cases of such a disease as stomach flu are often recorded. Symptoms and treatment in adult patients, features of the clinical picture and therapy in children are, of course, important information. But it is worth considering that the disorders that accompany viral gastroenteritis are also characteristic of some other pathologies, in particular, food poisoning, salmonellosis. That is why the process of diagnosis is extremely important - fordrawing up the correct therapy regimen, it is necessary to accurately determine the cause of the inflammatory process in the small intestine.
- First, the gastroenterologist will conduct a general examination, collect information about the presence of certain symptoms, assess the condition of the patients.
- The patient must donate blood for analysis. An increase in the number of leukocytes in blood samples, as well as an increase in ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) confirms the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
- Laboratory testing of urine and feces is also carried out. Such tests help determine the presence of an infection, an inflammatory process.
- PCR diagnostics, immunofluorescence - these procedures help to accurately determine the nature and type of the pathogen.
- Instrumental diagnostic methods (for example, ultrasound of internal organs, endoscopic examination of the internal surfaces of the stomach and intestines) are used only if there is a suspicion that patients have concomitant diseases.
Treating stomach flu in adults and children with medicines
Based on the results obtained, the doctor will be able to draw up an effective treatment regimen. The symptoms and treatment of stomach flu are closely related. Therapy for such a disease is aimed only at eliminating the signs and strengthening the immune system.
- First of all, the patient is prescribed antiviral drugs. Such drugs, as a rule, contain ready-made interferon or substances that stimulate the synthesis of interferonimmune system. Means such as Arbidol, Interferon, Remantadin, Viferon, Amiksin are considered effective.
- As already mentioned, gastroenteritis is accompanied by dehydration. That is why it is important to restore and maintain the natural water-s alt balance. An effective medicine in this case is Regidron.
- With severe vomiting, antiemetics are used, in particular, Ondansetron. This drug blocks gag reflexes.
- The treatment regimen sometimes includes antidiarrheal drugs, in particular, Loperamide. These drugs tend to decrease the motility of the intestinal wall while increasing the tone of the anal sphincter.
- For severe symptoms of intoxication, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs are used to help reduce body temperature, eliminate pain and weakness. Paracetamol, Efferalgan, Nurofen, Ibuprofen are considered effective.
- Antihistamines ("Loratadin", "Suprastin", "Tavegil") help relieve swelling from the mucous membranes, prevent the development of allergic reactions.
- Since the stomach flu is often accompanied by a cough, patients are sometimes prescribed Broncholitin, Bromhexine and some other drugs that block cough receptors.
- Sorbents are also used, which quickly bind and remove toxic waste products of pathogenic microorganisms from the body. In addition, such drugs help cleanse the intestines, cope with diarrhea and nausea. Effective are "Enterosgel", "White Coal","Smecta", "Neosmectin".
- Therapy regimen sometimes includes preparations containing digestive enzymes. Means such as Mezim, Creon are considered effective. Medications help you digest and absorb food faster.
- Sometimes patients are prescribed potassium supplements (Panangin) to improve kidney function.
- During the recovery period of the body, various vitamin complexes must be included in the treatment regimen, which help strengthen the immune system and speed up the healing process.
- Patients also take drugs such as Linex, Hilak, Bifiform. These medicines help restore normal intestinal microflora, improve the functioning of the digestive tract.
Should I use antibacterial drugs for such a disease? Stomach flu is a viral disease, so taking antibiotics is useless. Such drugs are included in the treatment regimen only if there is a secondary bacterial infection.
Home remedies
How to treat stomach flu at home? Traditional medicine, of course, offers remedies that can cope with the symptoms of gastroenteritis.
- Chamomile decoction is considered effective. A bag of pharmacy chamomile and two tablespoons of dried apricots (can be replaced with raisins) pour a liter of boiling water, cover and let it brew. Infusion drink 100-200 ml every hour.
- Ginger infusion will help to cope with the symptoms of intoxication and strengthen the immune system. Easy to prepare: two teaspoonstablespoons of the crushed root of the plant should be poured with 500 ml of boiling water and let it brew. Drink 100 ml of ginger tea several times a day.
- Decoctions of marshmallow blood and dill herb are considered effective.
Of course, you can use such decoctions only with the permission of a doctor. Home remedies should only be used as an adjunct - they cannot replace full medical therapy.
Proper diet
Treatment of stomach flu necessarily includes proper diet:
- The doctor will probably advise you to give up dairy products for a while, as well as foods that contain milk protein. The fact is that such a diet creates excellent conditions in the intestines for the life and reproduction of almost any type of microorganisms, including pathogens.
- Because the stomach flu is associated with diarrhea and fluid loss, it is very important to maintain a proper drinking regimen. Patients are advised to drink water, compotes, diluted juices, fruit drinks, teas with lemon and raspberries. Drinking should be frequent and plentiful - at least 2 liters per day.
- In the first few days, patients are advised to eat easily digestible food, preferably grated - so it is easier and faster to digest.
- As you recover, you can diversify your diet. Nevertheless, fermented milk products should be introduced into the menu gradually, starting with kefir and fermented baked milk.
Prevention measures
Youalready know how to treat stomach flu in adults and children. But it is much easier to try to prevent infection of the body than to undergo therapy later. The rules here are simple:
- important to follow the rules of personal hygiene, do not forget to wash your hands before eating;
- food should also be thoroughly washed;
- do not forget about the correct heat treatment of food;
- better to drink boiled, filtered water (a small household filter will be enough to purify the liquid);
- The room where people with gastroenteritis spend time should be cleaned and disinfected daily;
- do not forget about proper nutrition, taking vitamins, physical activity, stabbing, as a strong immune system will help make the body more resistant to various infections.
Many people are interested in the question of whether there are any vaccinations and other remedies for this disease. It is worth noting right away that vaccination against influenza A and B in this case will not help, because the stomach flu, in fact, is not the flu.
In 2009, several types of vaccines entered the market, designed to prevent the stomach flu. Studies conducted in some Asian and African countries have proven that the developed tools really help prevent outbreaks of this disease. However, mass vaccination against viral gastroenteritis is practiced only in some states - it is not easy to find this medicine in our pharmacies.
