Rotovirus infection contributes to the occurrence of intestinal flu. Therefore, the signs of the disease in the initial stages resemble those in relation to the common cold: there is a run from the nose, pain in the larynx, and body temperature rises. After 2-3 days, the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract become inflamed, the pathology begins to resemble gastrointestinal disorders. This disease is manifested by viral gastroenteritis, which occurs in the lining of the stomach and small intestine.
Infection
Intestinal flu in adults is much less common than in preschool children. This is due to the following reasons:
- compliance with heat treatment of food;
- more attention to personal hygiene;
- monitoring the expiration dates of goods.
The main source of infection in this case is poor-quality food due to improper storage or non-compliance with thermal conditions, especially in relation to meat products. Also, do not consume expired dairy products.foods that may look perfectly normal on the outside.
The same sources can cause intestinal flu in children. Pathogens often enter their body through dirty hands or toys that have been in the hands of the patient.
For all categories, tap water can be a source of infection, so it is advisable to boil it, since most filters pass these microorganisms.
In addition, intestinal flu is introduced into the human body in other ways:
- poor hygiene;
- airborne penetration;
- working with soil contaminated with pathogens.
In the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, the microflora actively multiplies. Part of it is excreted during acts of defecation, settling in sanitary rooms. Therefore, if there is a patient with such an intestinal infection in the home, it is necessary to disinfect the toilet daily to prevent infection of other family members.
Influenza symptoms on the first day
As noted earlier, in the early days it is very difficult to identify that this is precisely such a disease. The incubation period for intestinal flu can range from several hours to 5 days, depending on how much of the pathogen entered the human body during infection, what is the state of its immune system, what is the degree of activity of microorganisms.
The following symptoms are typical for the first day:
- sore throat;
- increase in body temperature to 38°C and above;
- chills andfever;
- pain in throat when swallowing;
- initial signs of dry cough;
- headache;
- friability and redness of the tissues of the nasopharynx;
- pain in large joints and muscles.
They can manifest as single symptoms or in combination. The latter is more typical for people with reduced immunity and bad habits. In this case, intoxication of the body occurs at a high speed. The patient's condition is rapidly deteriorating. Muscle discomfort with intestinal flu in adults can turn into pain, which is especially true for people over 55.
Symptoms on day 2-3
2 days after the onset of the disease, the virus enters the mucous membranes of the intestines and stomach. The following symptoms of stomach flu appear:
- diarrhea with watery, frothy stools;
- periodically occurring vomiting, having the usual color of products without impurities of bile acids, mucous streaks and blood, without a fetid odor;
- pain resembles intestinal spasms and has an acute character;
- appear bloating and heaviness in the stomach, flatulence;
- About 30% of patients get a problem with conjunctivitis, resulting in redness of the eye sclera, burning and itching, and clear discharge from the eyes.
Danger of disease
It often leads to dehydration due to severe diarrhea and vomiting. This is especially dangerous with intestinal flu in children. Together with water, essential mineral elements are lost, for examplesodium, chlorine, potassium, causing the child's condition to deteriorate sharply.
The nervous system is affected, convulsions appear, which can lead to respiratory arrest. The lungs may be affected, resulting in the potential for pneumonia. It is one of the typical complications of the intestinal flu.
Forms of the disease in a child
There are three of them in relation to children:
- Easy. The child's condition worsens slightly. There are complaints of discomfort in the abdomen, mainly in the stomach. The temperature does not rise very much. The feces are mushy, the intestines are emptied 3-5 times a day.
- Average. The temperature rises to 37.5-38.5°C. The child complains of abdominal pain and weakness. There is a watery stool that has a yellowish tint, bowel movements - up to 10 times a day.
- Heavy. Pediatricians rarely register such a form in children. It is characterized by a strong degree of intoxication of the body. The child refuses to eat, drink, he is lethargic, the temperature can rise to 40 °. There is severe pain in the abdomen. The stool is watery, frothy, emptying more than 10 times a day, accompanied by repeated vomiting. The skin is flabby, urination is rare.
Treatment of children
The main method used today is rehydration. In this case, the child must be given saline solutions. Also, the doctor may prescribe drugs to eliminate intoxication in the treatment of intestinal flu:
- "Attapulgit";
- activated carbon;
- dioctahedral smectite.
Syrups or rectal suppositories are used as antipyretics. Elevated temperature lasts up to 5 days, which is especially difficult for children. Therefore, along with drug treatment, they increase heat transfer by undressing the child, wrapping the lower leg with a wet rag, or applying a bandage previously moistened with cool water to the forehead.
Good immunity to this disease in a child is developed after two illnesses.
Medication in adults
It is symptomatic, mostly performed on an outpatient basis. In order to cleanse the blood and intestines of toxins, sorbents are used:
- "Enterosgel";
- activated carbon;
- "Polysorb";
- "Smekta";
- "Neosmectin".
They are taken several times a day in the treatment of intestinal flu. In this case, it is necessary to consume a large amount of water.
To eliminate dehydration, rehydration is also carried out. S alt solutions normalize the water-s alt balance, supporting the work of the kidneys. Most often, a drug called Regidron is prescribed for intestinal flu. The contents of one package are dissolved in one liter of water, which is pre-boiled, after which it is drunk in small sips throughout the day. If dehydration has occurred to a significant extent, then the patienthospitalized with saline and glucose injected into veins.
In addition, in order to restore the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, enzyme preparations such as Creon, Pancreatin, Mezim forte, as well as pre- and probiotics can be prescribed:
- "Linex";
- "Bifidumbacterin";
- "Normobact";
- "Bifiform".
After the end of treatment, the patient must take a complex of vitamin preparations determined by the doctor.
Basic principles of symptomatic therapy in adults
Antipyretics to take up to a temperature of 38 ° with intestinal flu is not advisable, because in this case the body fights the pathology on its own. If this value is exceeded, you can take medication, Ibuprofen or Paracetamol will do.
In some cases, combined drugs are prescribed for the treatment of intestinal flu, for example, Next.
When a cough occurs, antitussives are prescribed:
- "Bromhexine";
- "Broncholithin";
- "Bronchipret";
- "Sinecode".
In order to eliminate allergies and other side effects due to the use of complex therapy, histamine blockers are prescribed:
- "Claritin";
- "Diazolin";
- "Loratadine".
Immunomodulators and antivirals are sometimes prescribed, although their effectiveness has not been confirmed.
He alth food
In the first 5-7 days, the patient must follow a certain diet that excludes the use of any products based on milk protein. Fermented milk products and whole milk can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of treatment.
In the first 3-4 days, all products are consumed in a heavily crushed or grated form. The walls of the gastrointestinal tract can be enveloped with oatmeal and rice broths. Fresh bread for this period should be replaced with crackers made from rye flour.
After recovery and for at least one week, the following foods are excluded from the human diet:
- liquor and anything containing alcohol;
- purine-rich vegetables: onion, cabbage, etc.;
- cocoa;
- legumes;
- sugar-containing meals;
- confectionery icing and chocolate;
- fatty foods;
- fried foods;
- carbonated drinks.
Raw fruits and vegetables and dairy products are gradually being returned to the diet, starting with 50-60 g of low-fat cottage cheese, then you can switch to bio-yogurts, and last but not least, to whole milk.
Vegetables and fruits, especially potatoes and bananas, are not contraindicated for children during treatment.
Treatment with folk remedies
As the latter, galangal grass roots, walnut leaves, pomegranate peels, alder cones, bird cherry berries, white lilac can be used.
The following are recipes based on folk remedies for intestinal flu.
Roots andgalangal rhizomes must be fresh. They are washed, cleaned according to the same principle as carrots, chopped, and then poured with alcohol at the rate of 200 ml of the last 200 g of roots and rhizomes. You can also prepare a decoction from galangal by pouring 1.5 tbsp. l. dry roots with a glass of boiling water, after which it is simmered in a water bath for an hour and filtered.
Walnut leaves help stop diarrhea and provide an anti-inflammatory effect. 1 st. l. crushed raw materials are poured into 150 ml of boiling water and infused for 15 minutes.
To prepare an infusion of alder cones, a glass is filled halfway with them, filled to the brim with boiling water and infused in a covered state for an hour. Take 1 tbsp. l. 3-4 hours with boiled water. After that, the next portion is prepared.
Infusion can be prepared from 2 tbsp. l. bird cherry berries or 1 tbsp. l. crushed dry pomegranate peels, filled with a glass of boiling water. It is drunk in one gulp or stretched for 3-4 hours.
White lilac flowers are poured with alcohol in a container with a well-screwed lid. The tincture will be ready in 2 weeks. Patients take 1 tsp. for ½ cup of boiled water 3-4 times a day, children - ½ tsp. per 100 ml of boiled water. Moreover, for children under 7 years old, it is better not to give such a tincture because of the fragile nervous system. They are treated with galangal rhizomes and roots, bird cherry berries, alder cones.
Disease prevention
To reduce the likelihood of an illness entering the body, you need to carefully monitor personal hygiene and the quality of the food you eat.
Prevention of intestinal flu also includes daily exercise in the fresh air, general strengthening activities, balanced nutrition.
The most dangerous disease for children. From 1.5 months of age, they begin to vaccinate against this disease. The drug is recommended. To implement it, they turn to a pediatrician who will tell you where you can buy the vaccine.
In conclusion
Intestinal flu is called a rotovirus infection. The insidiousness of this disease lies in the fact that at the beginning of its manifestation it behaves like a cold, and then it is replaced by intoxication of the body with an increase in temperature and the appearance of a gastrointestinal disorder. Children are more susceptible to the disease, although adults can also suffer. Treatment consists in following a diet, rehydration, improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In combination with medical methods, traditional medicine can be used. It is advisable for children to be vaccinated.
