Treatment and symptoms of intestinal (stomach) influenza in children and adults. Definition of symptoms of intestinal flu in children and methods of treatment Abdominal flu in children symptoms and treatment

When parents notice signs of abdominal pain, loose stools, nausea, and vomiting in young children, they mistake these symptoms for food poisoning. But these may be indicators of rotavirus or stomach flu, a dangerous contagious disease. Toddlers are especially susceptible to this disease, they can hardly tolerate it, so parents should know how the intestinal flu proceeds, the symptoms and treatment in children.

The infection develops rapidly, spreading from infected children and adults. The causative agent is rotavirus, which is easily transmitted from an infected person to a healthy one. Therefore, the patient must be isolated for several days. People of all ages acquire the disease. Children are much less likely to get sick infancy, as they receive powerful temporary protection immune system from mother. The risk of infection increases with the transition to the mixture, when the baby begins to accustom to the food that adults eat.

The infection gets to a person due to a violation of personal hygiene, the virus often causes epidemics in schools, preschool institutions, lives in crowded places, toilets. Educational institutions during outbreaks of the disease are quarantined, the building is disinfected. The main time of year for the spread of stomach flu is the off-season: the transition from autumn to winter, from winter to spring.

Rotavirus infection is very viable, withstands low temperatures- up to 60C. Household chemicals can not always destroy the virus, so the treatment is carried out with highly concentrated products with a high chlorine content.

The infection affects the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, disrupts the absorption of food, the result is the appearance of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. The most susceptible to the disease are the elderly and children, this is justified by the weakness of the immune system. Children are extremely difficult to tolerate intestinal infections. You can get infected from outside healthy person, since adults have stronger immunity, the symptoms of the disease do not always appear, they can be confused with respiratory infections.

Ways of infection

There are several main ways to get the intestinal flu:

airborne (through coughing, sneezing, during a dialogue);
through biological fluids (saliva);
violation of hygiene rules (through dirty hands);
the use of running water;
contact with a carrier of the virus.

The main causative agents of this gastrointestinal disorder are:

rotavirus;
astrovirus;
norovirus;
calicivirus;
adenovirus.

Children's immunity is much weaker than that of an adult, so it may be necessary long-term treatment. The rate of spread of infection, the severity of the disease depend on the strength of the immune system, the level of development of the pathogen.

Strains of these microorganisms provoke acute inflammation esophagus, symptoms are very similar to those of the flu, respiratory diseases, indigestion, coli.

Intestinal flu in children, symptoms

The initial stages of the disease proceed similarly to a cold: the child becomes weak, naughty, coughs, his throat hurts, and a runny nose appears. An intestinal infection begins to manifest itself 12 hours after it enters the body. The most dangerous, acute period lasts from several days to 1 week, the period of decline and recovery - up to five days.

Having noticed the first symptoms, it is necessary to isolate the patient in order to avoid the spread of infection, call a doctor at home. Once in the body, rotavirus quickly reaches the intestines and penetrates into its cells, which disrupts the functions of the digestive tract.

Pediatricians distinguish the following scheme for the development of viral gastroenteritis in children:

the patient develops a sore throat, stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, voice becomes hoarse;
on the second day, diarrhea appears, urges occur more than 10 times a day. Stool grayish or green. The smell is sharp, unpleasant. With complications, children go to the toilet more than 20 times.
the stomach hurts, bloating is observed, babies constantly cry.
the temperature rises, the baby begins to sweat, feels hot, sometimes chills occur.
nausea, vomiting, dehydration develops.

Symptoms of intestinal flu in children are usually the following:

loose stools (up to 10 times a day);
high temperature (39 ° C) for several days in a row;
general weakness;
loss of appetite;
constant urge to vomit;
bloating;
constant thirst due to dehydration;
pain in the stomach.

Babies may faint. When diagnosing, the doctor may notice enlarged lymph nodes, redness of the throat. Diarrhea is one of the main signs of infection in the intestines. The stools are liquid, have an unpleasant pungent odor, the color is greenish, cloudy.

Blood discharge in the stool is usually absent, if present, visit a doctor to identify concomitant diseases. An important symptom is vomiting that leads to dehydration, can provoke kidney failure. Usually occurs with diarrhea, lasts 5 days, frequent urges.

Dehydration leads to a decrease in urine output, stimulates the excretion of protein from the body. Usually, with a bright manifestation of symptoms, a quick recovery occurs. At proper treatment recovery occurs in a week, if the case is severe, more time is required.

The causative agent of intestinal flu survives in most weather conditions and has serious consequences for the health of children. Even after cleaning with household chemicals, dangerous bacteria remain on the surfaces.

The main problem of the company viral infection- dehydration. Mineral substances necessary for the body are washed out, the water-salt balance is disturbed.
For recovery, it is recommended to use a lot of liquids: chamomile decoctions, water, tea.

Symptoms and treatment of intestinal flu in children should be determined by a doctor, but due to the risks of affecting children, a physician is called to the house without a visit to the hospital.

First aid at home

The following actions can help the child before the arrival of the doctor:

constant abundant fluid intake: it is important to remember that dehydration is especially dangerous for infants, as well as babies under 3 years old;
babies are provided with a safe stay in bed so that the baby does not choke on vomiting - they turn their heads to one side, constantly monitor the condition of the baby;
to reduce the temperature, use tablets or suspension with paracetamol (for children from 1 month old);
to feed young children during illness should be steamed or boiled food. They also eat cereals, vegetable soups without meat.

We confirm the diagnosis

Diagnosis begins with examining the patient, describing the symptoms, collecting tests in order to exclude dysentery or salmonellosis, gastroenteritis, dysbacteriosis and other diseases similar in symptoms.

Laboratory methods are used to detect rotaviruses:

PCR analysis - accurate, sensitive detection of pathogens;
indirect hemagglutination reaction test;
complement fixation reaction;
immunofluorescence to detect antibodies in tissue samples.

Such diagnostics are quite expensive, so more often they do general analyzes blood, urine, coprogram, bacteriological culture. With an intestinal infection in the blood, the indicators of leukocytes and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate increase. In the urine, the content of protein, leukocytes increases.

Treatment

Intestinal infection occurs in mild, moderate, severe. With a mild form of the disease, the patient stays at home for treatment, other forms involve hospitalization, being on a hospital examination.

The main stages of therapy:

eliminate the infectious agent;
eliminate dehydration of the body, normalize the water-salt balance;
reduce body temperature;
increase immunity.

With a lack of fluid, solutions are prepared based on Regidron, Gastrolit and other drugs. One sachet is mixed in a liter of water, consumed every half an hour.
To quickly remove toxins, sorbents are taken, such as Smetka, activated carbon, Enterosgel. The dosage is calculated by the doctor, taking into account the age, condition of the patient.

To normalize digestion, stop diarrhea, use Pancreatin, to reduce the temperature - nurofen, panadol. It is recommended to take drugs containing lactobacilli, such as Linex and Hilak Forte. It is more convenient to give suspension medicines to children. The course of admission, the dosage of drugs is prescribed by the doctor, self-medication is fraught with complications.

Taking antibiotics does not help viral diseases There are no cures for them at all. The human immune system itself fights against such pathologies. Therefore, you can not prescribe treatment yourself, this can lead to complications, it is better to consult a pediatrician.

Be sure to comply with bed rest, wet cleaning the premises several times a day, frequent ventilation. Children eat and drink from separate dishes, sleep on personal bed linen. All these measures are aimed at speeding up recovery.

Of the traditional methods of treating gastrointestinal infections, they use:

honey - three to four times a day they drink a glass of water, adding a spoonful of honey and a slice of lemon. It is permissible to simply eat half a teaspoon daily;
- pine buds - 10 gr. pour a glass of boiling water, heat in a water bath for half an hour. Take after meals 100 gr.;
St. John's wort - a tablespoon of the plant is added to a glass of boiling water, insist on a couple. The mixture is filtered, drunk half an hour before meals, 1/3 cup 3 times / day;
- blueberries - cook compote from dry berries. You can add dried apricots, other dried fruits;
to replenish the water balance, carrots are prepared: clean, washed carrots are crushed, boiled for thirty minutes in lightly salted water. The broth is allowed to cool, decanted, stored in the refrigerator. They give the patient a little to drink, the shelf life of the drink is one day. Such a decoction is suitable for children older than a year;
for babies up to 6 months old, chamomile or herbal infusions are prepared. To do this, mix equal portions of chamomile flowers, cumin, dry blueberries, strawberries. Pour one teaspoon of the mixture with boiling water, leave for 15 minutes to half an hour, then decant. They drink such herbal tea often, in a tablespoon, without adding sweeteners.

During illness, there is a decrease in appetite, you should not try to feed the patient against his will. The main thing is to drink more liquids, except for soda, juices, milk. From drinks, decoctions of rice, raisin infusions, green tea, and water are recommended. With the active manifestation of pathology, babies are given liquid chicken broths, rice porridge on the water. Fatty foods, raw vegetables, salty foods, hot spices, legumes are removed from the diet. Foods with a high content of carbohydrates provoke fermentation processes.

The diet of infants is not changed, new products are not introduced. If the baby eats artificial mixtures, continue to feed them.

When the disease becomes less active, bread, fruit puree, lean meat are added after five or six days. They prefer chicken, boiling it without skin. Products are boiled or steamed, fried foods are prohibited. After a week, the introduction of kefir, cottage cheese is acceptable, milk should be diluted with water. Be sure to bake fruits and vegetables.
They return to their usual diet slowly, usually the process takes about a month.

Disease prevention

The main preventive measure is hygiene to prevent bacteria from entering the body. Wash your hands regularly, especially after going to the toilet. The products used must be clean, of high quality and not expired. It is worth buying food and eating only where establishments have passed the control of sanitary authorities.

Dr. Komarovsky advises feeding children only pasteurized milk, high-quality meat after heat treatment, instilling self-hygiene skills in children, teaching them to keep their hands clean before sitting down to the table.

Rotavirus remains viable even when in water for a long time, so you should control the quality of the liquid for cooking, as well as the water with which the baby is washed. If an increase in the disease or an epidemic is established in the region, then any liquid that is used for the baby is boiled. Even an adult body can suffer from intestinal flu, immunity is not developed over time.

Why is the stomach flu dangerous?

Dehydration causes severe harm to health, important trace elements are released with the liquid: potassium, sodium, calcium. To avoid this, they drink plenty of green tea, decoctions of herbs, solutions of rehydron. Severe dehydration can lead to coma and fainting.

The risk is elevated temperature, fraught with the occurrence of fever. It is necessary to knock it down with drugs with paracetamol or by cooling the body. If it is not possible to lower the temperature below 38 degrees, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Some facts about the stomach flu

Does the flu shot help with stomach flu?
These are completely different diseases that provoke different infections, despite the presence of some similar signs - intoxication, weakness, elevated temperature. The flu does not cause intestinal upset. The vaccine against the rotavirus form of the disorder is put in Europe, the USA, the Russian medical community has not yet introduced it.
intestinal flu very contagious. Most often, epidemics of intestinal infections occur in the summer.
Viral gastroenteritis can enter the stomach by the fecal-oral route, for example, when a healthy person touches dirty surfaces. This is prevented by thorough hand washing before eating. Often, antibacterial wipes and sprays offered by stores do not protect against germs, they are better used as an addition to basic hygiene procedures.
The causative agents of the disease survive in almost any external environment; you can become infected on vacation, swimming, eating dirty foods or food prepared by the carrier of the virus.
Even after cleaning, the infection remains on surfaces, while babies can become infected from a small amount. It is recommended to use products with chlorine for cleaning the children's room, to ventilate the room thoroughly.
Symptoms of the disease - stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting - appear a day after the virus enters, since the infection takes time to get to the intestines and settle there. More serious pathogens - salmonella, begin to act after a couple of hours.
The greatest danger to patients is dehydration. Since the disease is accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, the body is deprived of many important minerals. Chamomile decoctions are used to replenish the water balance, mineral water, tea. Exclude milk, bread, products containing sugar. To normalize and maintain potassium levels, it is worth eating bananas, rice.
You can not treat intestinal flu with antibiotics, such drugs will not help with a viral disease. Symptoms and treatment of intestinal flu in children, the doctor determines in accordance with these data.

Alexandra is a constant expert of the PupsFull portal. She writes articles on pregnancy, parenting and training, child care and child health.

Articles written

Intestinal flu is a common disease among children different ages. Actually, this disease called rotavirus infection or gastroenteritis, which clearly indicates the minimal similarity of intestinal flu with the flu itself. According to statistics for 2017, an intestinal infection takes about 4,000 children's lives every year. Therefore, the symptoms and treatment of intestinal flu in children is important information for any parent, since the probability of transferring this infectious pathology to a child is quite high. Statistics indicate that almost all children under 5 years of age suffer from intestinal flu. In this case, both a child under one year old and a child of 3 years old can become infected.

The disease itself is provoked by active activity in the intestines of viruses from the Reoviridae family, where they enter by the fecal-oral route, and there is also a chance of becoming infected by airborne droplets. Perhaps this is the similarity between rotavirus infection and influenza, since both diseases are provoked by viruses, but rotaviruses and influenza viruses are completely different. Rotaviruses replicate by infecting a number of villous epithelial cells, provoking a local inflammatory process and subsequent cell death. The result is structural changes and dysfunction of the intestines.

For intestinal flu, several stages of development are characteristic:

The symptoms of intestinal flu appear very aggressively at the onset of the disease, and often the clinical picture is respiratory symptoms and symptoms of gastrointestinal disturbances. Symptoms may be as follows:

Initially, intestinal flu manifests itself as a common acute respiratory disease. There are symptoms such as discomfort in the throat, especially on swallowing. Mild rhinitis, sneezing can also be observed;
Weakness, there is a decrease in the activity of the child;
Body temperature rises sharply and can reach 39 degrees. At the same time, the temperature is stable and lasts throughout the acute period, decreasing towards the end of this stage;
Vomiting, the appearance of vomit;
Pain in the abdomen;
Headache is noted frequently;
Diarrhea. This symptom is perhaps the most characteristic of rotavirus infection. Bowel movements occur up to 10 times a day, stool have a specific color (the 2-3rd day of illness is accompanied by a gray-yellow color and has a clay-like shape). At a certain stage, the stool has a light color, and the urine is saturated dark yellow. In the feces may be observed blood clots. With a bowel movement more than 10 times a day, the stool resembles foam and consists, practically, of a liquid;
There is a decrease in the child's appetite. It can be expressed in a complete / partial refusal to eat;

Separately, it is worth mentioning the dehydration of the body of children with this infection. With intestinal flu, it is very important to drink plenty of fluids, since it is exsicosis that becomes the main cause of death in rotavirus infection.

It should be understood that the treatment of this infectious disease can be carried out both at home and in a hospital ward. Hospitalization of young patients with rotavirus infection is not uncommon. Indications for hospitalization are the following symptoms:

However, the treatment of this disease is aimed at reducing the intensity of symptoms and accelerating the recovery of the body. In fact, to date, there are simply no specific drugs for directed action against rotaviruses (and many other viruses, including).

Therefore, the treatment of rotavirus infection in children is as follows:

It is necessary to provide the child with peace to reduce the load on the organism weakened by the disease. If the child is still quite a baby, it is necessary to seriously approach the issue of controlling vomiting, as the baby can simply choke on vomit;
It is mandatory to increase the diet of fluid intake. The word "liquid" should be understood as various compotes from berries, fruits and dried fruits, weak tea, jelly, water, natural juices (not store-bought, but made from fruits and vegetables);

Any treatment viral disease complicated by the fact that its pathogens mutate very quickly. Immunity to them is either not developed or has a short period. Intestinal flu, symptoms and treatment in children and adults, is also of a viral nature that is difficult to eliminate.

Intestinal flu symptoms in children

Pathogen so-called intestinal flu children have rotaviruses. In the people, the disease is called intestinal flu. Despite the fact that the causative agents of diseases are different, both influenza and intestinal flu, the symptoms in children are very similar.

As a rule, these diseases begin acutely. Against the background of full health the child suddenly becomes lethargic. In the first hours, the disease is manifested not only by intestinal disorders, but also by respiratory symptoms.

Like the flu virus, the causative agent of intestinal flu has several strains. Rotavirus strain A is the most common throughout the Earth. It is very dangerous for children, especially the first year of life. The main symptom is very severe diarrhea that cannot be controlled by conventional means.. In addition, there may be other symptoms:

A sharp rise in temperature.

Chill and feverish condition.

Pain in the abdomen, may be paroxysmal in nature.

Runny nose, sore throat.

Weakness, lack of appetite and weight loss, anemia.

Indigestion, nausea, vomiting and repeated diarrhea. The diarrhea may have a characteristic clay-like texture and a yellow-gray color.

All these symptoms appear within 1-2 days. Since the disease is quite dangerous for children, we will try to find out how to deal with it.

Rotavirus infection or intestinal flu in children, symptoms and treatment require immediate action. They should be taken after the first signs of the disease and diagnosis. It is placed on the basis clinical picture and after a special study of the feces of a sick child. Now there are test systems that can detect any type of rotavirus. As with any pathology caused by viruses, the treatment of intestinal flu is mainly symptomatic.

Primarily child support is:

Plentiful warm drink. It is advisable to give berry and fruit compotes, tea with lemon. If a child has a tendency to be allergic to the listed products, boiled water will save the situation.

The right diet. Feed your baby in small portions. It is best to cook him sparse cereals, pureed soups, vegetable purees.

In the first days of the disease, it is necessary to organize bed rest or semi-bed rest.

In order to prevent asphyxia by vomit, keep an eye on the awake and sleeping baby.

Main treatment consists in normalizing the salt and water balance and removing toxins. The child is given drugs with a rehydration effect. Helps reduce toxicity smecta or Activated carbon. At all small children at severe diarrhea Can you give probiotics? from the group of lactobacilli. Effective drugs to combat rotavirus infection does not yet exist. Intestinal flu symptoms and treatment in children and adults may have some differences.

Intestinal flu symptoms in adults

The development of rotavirus infection adults are a little different. than in children. This is due to differences in digestive system. Usually, gastric juice an adult is more saturated with acid than a baby and cope better with viral lesions. If the patient has stomach flu, symptoms in adults appear as follows:

rise in temperature;

chills;

signs of intoxication, nausea;

abdominal pain caused by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines;

loose stools up to 5-8 times a day;

Symptoms of a sore throat, cough and runny nose may appear. In adult patients with good immune protection, the disease proceeds in a milder form. Such people have improvement occurs in 7-8 days without special treatment . However, in severe cases, and to reduce the risk of infecting others, symptomatic treatment is necessary.

You should not endure the intestinal flu on your feet; in adults, the symptoms and treatment of the disease are interconnected. To avoid disturbance of water and salt balance the patient must take one of the following drugs:

rehydron solution;

hydrovit forte;

trisol;

trihydrone.

To relieve intoxication, adult patients are shown to take the drug Polysorb. It refers to modern means adsorbing unwanted substances and toxins in the gastrointestinal tract. Within two to three minutes after taking the drug begins to work actively.

If adult patients have frequent stool, in which case it is necessary to take medicine furozolidone. In some cases, the patient cannot do without taking digestive enzymes, for example, pancreatin. After recovery, in order to normalize digestion, adult patients need to “populate” the gastrointestinal tract with beneficial microorganisms. Here it is recommended to take Linex, Hilak forte. During the period of illness, with a satisfactory state of health, the patient should lead a semi-bed rest.

How to treat stomach flu

If the diagnosis of intestinal flu is confirmed, the symptoms and treatment in children and adults should be adequate to each other. Just like regular flu use of antibiotics for rotavirus infection is useless. Viruses, by virtue of their structure, are insensitive to the effects of antibiotics.

All clinical manifestations intestinal flu can be divided into three groups:

symptoms of gastritis and colitis;

signs of intoxication;

respiratory events.

How to treat intestinal flu depends on the symptoms that worsen the patient's condition the most. Sometimes not only drugs, but also additional measures help to cope with them.

In the absence of special medicines, restore the water-salt balance drinking plenty of water will help. At home, it is enough to dissolve 20 g of table salt, 7 g of soda and 40 g of sugar in a liter of boiled water or in a decoction of chamomile. Take immediately after each liquid stool. An adult should drink 180 - 200 ml at a time. Drink for a child, depending on age, from a few teaspoons to 100 ml.

You can get rid of diarrhea and strengthen the stool with a decoction of burnet roots or oak bark. The role of the sorbent, in the absence pharmaceutical products, will perform a slimy decoction of rice. By itself, rice water will not stop diarrhea, but it will absorb all unwanted substances and toxins. Proper nutrition during illness will help the patient to quickly cope with the consequences of rotavirus infection. The diet should have enough liquid, compotes, jelly, fruit drinks. Pureed soups, liquid porridges and steam dishes are shown. Protecting yourself from the intestinal flu is difficult, but possible.

Prevention of intestinal flu

There are two main modes of transmission of rotavirus infection.:

fecal-oral;

through the air with close contact.

The causative agents of intestinal flu remain active on various surfaces for several hours. Therefore, during the period of stay in institutions and public places, the best flu prevention is thorough hand washing. If there are sick people in the team, then it is advisable to send them home at the first sign of malaise. The rest of the team needs to immediately take measures to strengthen immunity. This may not save you from the disease, but its course will be easier.

The main form of prevention is timely vaccination. Currently, many parents have a negative attitude towards vaccinations. However, they should consider that in almost 80% of cases severe diarrhea in children under 5 years of age is caused specifically by intestinal flu viruses. They are especially dangerous for weakened babies. Before you refuse vaccination, you need to weigh the pros and cons.

In winter, it is difficult to stop the intestinal flu, symptoms and treatment in children and adults require timely assessment and adequate measures. In mild cases, it is enough to simply stay at home for a few days and not go to school or work, adhere to a sparing regimen. In severe cases, hospitalization is indicated.

Stomach flu, intestinal flu - this is a simplified name for a disease that is called gastroenteritis in medicine or, since this disease is essentially not a flu. The causative agent of gastroenteritis are various viruses, most often the virus of the Rotavirus order, as well as astroviruses, caliciviruses, noroviruses and adenoviruses, which, when multiplying, lead to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Children are mostly susceptible to this disease, intestinal flu in children lasts longer and is more severe, as well as the elderly. Symptoms of gastric flu are pronounced, but at the same time, in adults with a strong immune system, rotavirus infection can occur in a latent form, asymptomatically, while an outwardly healthy person can be a carrier of the pathogen. Usually, within a week, the acute period of the disease ends and after 5-7 days there is a complete recovery, during this period the patient is still contagious.

How can you get the stomach flu?

The virus enters the human body through the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. The incubation period of this disease is from 16 hours to five days. The rate of development and severity of the course of gastric flu depends on the concentration of the pathogen that has entered the body and the state of the human immune system.

One type of infection transmission is food. That is, the infection enters the body through unwashed fruits, vegetables, low-quality dairy products. The gastrointestinal flu can rightly be called the "disease of dirty hands." Infection through unboiled tap water is also possible, even with banal bathing.

The second route of infection is airborne. When talking loudly, sneezing, coughing, germs from a sick person spread in the air.

The contact-household method of transmitting the pathogen is not excluded, especially in crowded places: in offices, kindergartens, schools, and shops.

The causative agent of the stomach flu is very viable, the usual detergents unable to destroy it. It is quite resistant to freezing and high temperatures, withstands heating up to 60 C. The intestinal virus is destroyed only by concentrated chlorine-containing disinfectants.

What happens in the body when infected?

With the penetration of rotavirus into the body, after half an hour, you can detect the pathogen in the cells small intestine. Due to the attack of the virus, the structure of the intestinal mucosa is disrupted. This in turn leads to disruption of the production of digestive enzymes responsible for the breakdown of complex sugars. Thus, in small intestine undigested carbohydrates accumulate, this attracts excess fluid, causing diarrhea or watery diarrhoea.

Symptoms of the gastrointestinal flu

If a child falls ill, then a pediatrician is needed to determine the possibility of treatment at home or hospitalization in a hospital. As a rule, if vomiting occurs no more than 5 times, and stools no more than 10 times a day, outpatient treatment is acceptable. Lasts about 5 days incubation period stomach flu. Its symptoms are quite acute and violent.

The easiest way to avoid contracting the stomach flu is to wash your hands thoroughly.

Literally a few hours before the onset of dyspepsia (gastrointestinal upset), first there is a slight cough, runny nose, sore throat, which quickly pass. This is what distinguishes intestinal flu from other infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the symptoms of which do not begin with indigestion, but with rapidly passing catarrhal phenomena.
The main symptoms of stomach flu:

Sore throat when swallowing, redness in the throat

Catarrhal phenomena - a slight runny nose, cough, sneezing, which quickly pass

Loose stools up to 5-10 times a day, stools are plentiful, gray-yellow, clay-like, with a pungent odor, but without mucus and blood

Abdominal pain, rumbling

Nausea, vomiting

High fever or subfebrile

Growing weakness

With severe development of gastric flu, it is possible).

Treatment of gastrointestinal flu

There is currently no specific treatment for rotavirus. The main treatment is aimed at reducing intoxication, normalizing water-salt metabolism, which is disturbed by diarrhea and vomiting. That is, the treatment is mainly symptomatic, aimed at reducing the negative impact of the virus on the body: preventing dehydration, reducing toxicity, restoring the functioning of the urinary and cardiovascular systems, prevent the development of secondary bacterial infection.

First of all, rehydration therapy is necessary, for which 1 sachet of Regidron is dissolved in a liter of boiled water and drunk during the day every half hour. If desired, such a solution for rehydration can be made by yourself - boiled water 700 ml (or weak chamomile decoction) + 300 ml decoction of dried apricots (carrots or raisins) + 4-8 tsp sugar + 1 tsp table salt + 1/2 tsp . spoons of soda. It is indicated for repeated vomiting and diarrhea, drink in small sips. Adults, regardless of the severity of the condition after vomiting or stool, drink 200 ml. solution, since fluid losses should be replenished in the first 6 hours. Hospitalization is indicated for children with frequent vomiting and diarrhea.

When it will be possible to eat, it is necessary to strictly observe a sparing diet and exclude from the diet all dairy and dairy products, as they contribute to the rapid multiplication of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines.

Also, the patient should take sorbents, such as Activated carbon, Enterosgel, .

With severe diarrhea with fever, doctors usually prescribe (70 rubles) (300 caps. 500 suspension) or, their use helps to stop lingering course diarrhea.

You should also take medications with digestive enzymes - Creon, Pancreatin, Mezim forte. In rare cases, Ftalazol may be prescribed, but it can be used for no more than 3 days.

When the acute phase of the disease passes, it is necessary to restore the intestinal microflora. There are many medicines for this, such as Linex, RioFlora-Balance, Bifidumbacterin Forte, etc. (see full).

Some facts about the stomach flu

Does the flu shot help with stomach flu?

Don't confuse the two completely. different diseases, two different pathogens. Of course, some signs of ordinary flu resemble the symptoms of gastrointestinal flu - headache, manifestations of general intoxication, aching joints, fever. However, the common flu does not cause severe intestinal upset, and the flu vaccine does nothing to protect against contracting rotavirus infections.

The stomach flu is highly contagious

In the warm season, when there is a maximum spread of viral gastroenteritis, hygiene should be observed very carefully. The stomach flu enters the body by the fecal-oral route, that is, from a sick person through infected vomit or feces, when a healthy person touches a contaminated surface. Moreover, often wastewater, waters where vacationers swim, contaminated food and dishes prepared by an infected person, contribute to the transmission of the causative agent of intestinal flu. Only thorough hand washing before any meal can protect against the development of gastroenteritis.

The gastrointestinal influenza virus is quite hardy in the external environment

The causative agent of intestinal flu (norovirus) can remain alive for several hours on any surfaces in everyday life even after cleaning, and even a very small amount is enough to infect a child. It is better to wash your hands with soap under running water, it is more effective than using other hand products (napkins, spray).

GI flu symptoms do not appear immediately

Such intestinal symptoms, like abdominal cramps, diarrhea and vomiting occur only 1-2 days after the infection enters the body, since the virus should reach the gastrointestinal tract and multiply in it. However, pathogens such as salmonellosis, etc. can cause signs of food poisoning after a few hours.

The most serious danger in children and adults is dehydration.

This is especially dangerous for children, because with vomiting and diarrhea there is a loss of fluid, it should be replenished. Moreover, with the liquid, the body loses potassium, sodium and other minerals. Therefore, rehydration therapy (rehydron) is indicated. It is best to drink mineral water without gas, green tea, chamomile decoction. It is not necessary to use milk, dairy products, bread and sweets in the acute period. During the recovery period, potassium should be replenished by adding foods such as bananas, rice porridge to the diet.

Stomach flu is not treated with antibiotics

Since this intestinal disorder is caused by a virus, antibiotics cannot help here, contrary to the beliefs of many. Intestinal flu is treated symptomatically and antibacterial drugs not shown.

Intestinal flu in children is a common disease, often reminiscent of the autumn-winter period. The severity may depend on the age of the child. The younger, the more severe the disease. The child's body is not formed, does not resist the invasion of a viral infection. Viruses cause flu-like symptoms in children. The article discusses in detail the intestinal flu and its symptoms.
Gastric or intestinal flu is an acute viral pathology that affects the gastrointestinal tract. The disease has become widespread. The frequency increases during the cold seasons of the year. Young children in the first years of life are often affected. Rarely occurs intestinal flu in adolescents, young people.

The symptoms and causes of stomach flu are often caused by an invading viral infection. The professors described a large number of virus strains. The causative agents of intestinal flu are known, often the causes are:
Rotaviruses.
Astroviruses.
Noroviruses.
Caliciviruses.
Adenoviruses.

Viral strains cause an acute inflammatory process in the digestive tract. There are clinical symptoms of intestinal infection, symptoms of acute respiratory infection flu-like symptoms.
Similar symptoms of Escherichia coli in children.
Ways of infection
Infection occurs when a microorganism enters epithelial cells mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. The severity of clinical symptoms depends on the number of pathogens in the body, the state of the child's immune system. Symptoms and treatment differ depending on the nature of the pathogen.
Ways of infection are determined based on the nature of the disease:
Alimentary infection. Pathogens enter the child's body with unwashed fruits and vegetables. You can get infected with poor-quality expired milk, meat products.
can be transmitted through unwashed hands.
Stomach flu in children can be transmitted through water contaminated with the appropriate strain of the virus, bacteria.
An airborne route of infection with viral stomach flu is possible. The causative agent is transmitted from a person when talking, sneezing.
Signs of intestinal flu are observed during the contact-household route of infection of a child. It is enough for the kid to hold in his hands the toy that the sick child played the day before, to hold on to the door handle in kindergarten, school.

Virus persistence in the environment
Rotavirus influenza is resistant and viable. A variety of infectious pathogen is able to withstand heating to a temperature of 60 degrees, freezing.
Not all detergents kill the virus in environment. Prevention of spread in the environment is carried out with chlorine-containing antiseptic solutions of high concentration.
Clinical manifestations of the disease
Parents should understand what the symptoms of intestinal flu mean in a baby, how to treat intestinal flu. The first clinical manifestations of intestinal flu are signs similar to respiratory infections. The child is worried about a sore throat, cough. There is mucous discharge from the nasal passages.

Clinical signs resolve on their own. There are symptoms of an intestinal disorder. The sequence distinguishes the intestinal flu from another infection that affects the child's digestive tract. The latter begin with manifestations of dyspepsia.
Typical clinical symptoms
Rotavirus infection, stomach flu proceeds according to a characteristic pattern:
The appearance of pain, congestion of the throat and nose. On examination, the throat in young children is hyperemic.
Catarrhal phenomena of the upper respiratory tract- cough and runny nose, sneezing, hoarseness.
Diarrhea develops on day 2-3. In mild stages of the disease, diarrhea is recorded up to 10 times a day. Stool grayish color, pungent odor. At severe forms disease, the number of urges to defecate reaches 50 times a day.
The child complains of pain in the abdomen. Periodically, the baby feels a seething in the tummy, bloating. The child is in excruciating pain. He screams, thumps his feet.
The temperature in newborns is subfebrile, reaches febrile numbers.
Nausea and vomiting, frequent diarrhea lead to the development of dehydration in the child.
Signs of intoxication - the child is lethargic, does not sleep well or is excessively sleepy. Skin color is pale. Facial features are sharpened.

Clinical forms of intestinal flu
To deal with intestinal flu, symptoms, you need to know the distinguished forms of severity of the disease.
Classification of the disease according to signs:
According to the severity of the condition, the disease is mild, moderate, severe.
Clinical manifestations distinguish - typical and atypical forms of the disease. The first form proceeds according to the scheme described above. The second form may not have clinical symptoms, flow erased. A typical form also occurs in the monthly, one year old baby. Atypical form typical for teenagers. In adults, the disease may not have clinical symptoms.

Treatment of intestinal flu in children at home is allowed if the disease is light form. Other forms of the disease require inpatient treatment.
Possible Complications
Rotavirus is an infection that rarely causes serious complications. This happens when the timely treatment is started.
The lack of adequate care for children under one year old leads to the development of unpleasant complications from the intestinal flu. It happens if a child has a significant decrease in the body's immune defenses.
A complication is severe dehydration, which can lead to the development of hemodynamic disorders. Intoxication of the expressed stage can lead to the development of acute renal failure.
Perhaps the accession of a secondary bacterial infection. This is Escherichia or other types of pathogenic sticks. For the treatment of children, antibiotics with a wide therapeutic spectrum are prescribed.
With careful supervision of the child, adequate treatment, avoid the development of these conditions. The attending physician will examine the child, determine what to do, whether it is possible to take antibacterial drugs.
Diagnosis of intestinal flu
An experienced pediatrician or infectious disease specialist can determine the diagnosis by the first clinical manifestations. Often, viral and bacterial infections show significant external similarities. Under the guise of influenza, salmonellosis, dysentery can be hidden. Possible development of food poisoning. To differentiate between intestinal infections, bacteriological studies are prescribed.
Virus particles are too small to be seen under a microscope. Bacterial infections are detected. The causative agent is distinguished by the characteristic color of the cell nucleus.
Useful and reliable diagnostic information is obtained during research:
Polymerase chain reactions.
Methods of immunofluorescent analysis.
ELISA research.

These tests will detect rotavirus. Research is expensive and rarely used.
With intestinal flu, a standard list of diagnostic procedures is prescribed:
General blood analysis.
General urine analysis.
Analysis of feces for a coprogram, bacteriological culture.

Analyzes reveal signs in the body inflammatory process Check for possible bacterial infection.
Principles of treatment
No specific drug has been developed to treat the cause of the disease. Therapeutic activities differ in directions:
Detoxification therapy.
Measures to eliminate signs of dehydration.
Restoration of the functions of the urinary system.
Restoration of the cardiovascular system.
Symptomatic therapy.
Preventive measures aimed at preventing secondary bacterial infection.

You can drink medicines with the permission of your doctor. Do not expose the life and health of the baby to danger, being carried away by self-medication. If you find signs of an intestinal disease in a child under one year old, call a pediatrician at home. The doctor will give a referral to the hospital if necessary. At mild form diseases with children are on sick leave on an outpatient basis. The moderate or severe form requires the treatment of patients with intestinal pathology in an infectious diseases hospital.
Until the doctor arrives, give the child first aid.
First aid at home
If you find signs of a respiratory infection in a child in combination with symptoms of an intestinal disorder, let's drink more.
If vomiting does not stop, the drink is given in a teaspoon at regular intervals. An abundant amount of water is not retained in the baby's stomach, provokes a new attack of vomiting. Pour boiled water, tea. The effect is saline solutions Regidron type. Brew medicinal herbs from folk recipes. You should drink a lot, but fractionally.
Supervise the position of the child in bed so that he does not choke on vomit. Turn the baby's head on its side, do not leave unattended. Choose the right pose! Harmful posture lying on the back for babies.
Check your child's body temperature. If it rises from 38 degrees, do not tolerate it, take antipyretic drugs based on Paracetamol. Such medicines are given to a child who is one month old.
The healing condition is a sparing lactose-free diet. Do not force your child to force feed if he has no appetite. Offer to drink regularly. Dishes should be cooked in a steam, boiled form. Nutrition of patients with intestinal infection- sparing, fractional.
Medical treatment
Full course drug therapy carried out over 10 days. Anti-epidemiological agents help to raise the body's immune defenses, prevent the spread of the disease. Pathogenetic treatment selected individually for the child based on his condition.
To eliminate signs of dehydration, saline solutions are used orally, parenterally. If, after treatment with drinking solutions, vomiting does not stop, dehydration increases, switch to intravenous infusions. They are carried out in the conditions of the infectious diseases department of the hospital for acute life threatening states. Inside, use Enterodez, Regidron. You can make your own drinking mixture at home.
To remove pathogenic particles from the body, drugs from the group of sorbents are used. Medicines- Polyphepan, Laktofiltrum or Enterosgel. The appointment helps to quickly cleanse the body of viral particles, bacterial toxins.
To restore non-pathogenic intestinal flora faster, give your child probiotics. They will help to quickly restore epithelial cells affected by intestinal infection, normalize bowel activity. Acipol, Lineks are effective. The preparations contain lyophilized live cultures of useful intestinal bacteria, quickly recover normal microflora in the intestine.
If the child has a fever, fever, chills, give antipyretic drugs. Paracetamol, Efferalgan, Nurofen - medicines for children are available in the form rectal suppositories, potions, syrups for oral administration.
Enzymes are prescribed to the child to normalize the digestive processes. With rotavirus infection, there is a decrease in the normal enzymatic function of the intestine - it must be maintained so that the child's body can adequately absorb the incoming nutrients. The enzymatic preparations Creon, Mezim, Pancreatin proved the effectiveness.
Diet food
The diet for gastric flu is considered sparing. The child is fed with slimy, boiled soups, semi-liquid porridges on the water. Serve meat dishes in a pureed boiled, steamed form.
Strong meat broths in the acute period of the disease are categorically contraindicated. Boil soup in vegetable broth. Fish, fish dishes are recommended to be given to the child in a boiled form. Prepare fish soufflé, steamed lean fish cutlets.

It is better to give yesterday's bread, slightly stale. Cookies or crackers - low-fat, not rich. Give the baby biscuits for tea, compote. During the illness, it is strictly forbidden to give the child whole fresh milk, dairy products. Fresh vegetables, fruits, pickles, marinades are excluded from the diet. Smoked, fatty foods are prohibited. Serve vegetables, fruits in a baked, boiled form. Prepare mashed potatoes with a pinch of salt, sugar.
You need to return to your normal diet gradually. The whole process takes a month.
Disease prevention
Intestinal influenza caused by rotavirus infection is distinguished by specific prevention through vaccination. No specific prophylaxis has been identified for other viruses. It remains to follow the general rules that warn infection digestive tract.
To avoid infection with intestinal flu, follow general hygiene rules:
Avoid contact with patients with intestinal infections. During the epidemiological peak, it is better to limit contacts. You can get infected both from a sick child, and from a healthy carrier.
If there is a patient with an intestinal infection in the house, he uses separate utensils and household items. The room and household utensils are disinfected.
Wash hands when coming from the street or from public places, as well as after contact with a sick or carrier of viral intestinal flu. Also, do this procedure after going to the toilet and before eating.