Features of the treatment of intestinal influenza in a child. Intestinal flu symptoms in children treatment Intestinal flu without fever in children

intestinal flu or gastroenteritis - an acute infectious disease that affects mainly the small intestine. The infection is accompanied by severe clinical manifestations and requires mandatory medical care. This disease refers to a contagious infection, that is, a disease that can affect a significant number of people and spread rapidly.

Most often this viral infection found in early age. Children attending children's groups (kindergartens, schools) are especially susceptible to it. The symptoms of intestinal flu, as well as its treatment in children, differ from the course of the disease and ways to get rid of it in the adult contingent, which suffers from this type of flu much less frequently. The source of infection is a sick person or an unknowing carrier of the virus who has no symptoms of the disease, but the causative virus is present in the body.

Ways of transmission of intestinal flu

Gastroenteritis is another "dirty hand disease" because the intestinal flu virus enters the body mainly through the mouth. Infection with intestinal flu can occur both from a patient and from an outwardly healthy, but having a virus in his body, adult or child. Infection is transmitted in various ways.

• Through food - unwashed fruits, vegetables, unboiled water.
• Through dirty hands, children's toys, household items.
• Airborne droplet (contact healthy person with the patient during a kiss, when coughing or sneezing).

The disease affects adults with various chronic diseases, the elderly, children, people with reduced body immunity. The virus is resistant in the external environment, as well as to the effects of low and high temperatures, remains alive when objects or hands are treated with soapy water.

The virus dies only when exposed to disinfectants containing active chlorine.

The most frequent outbreaks of infection are recorded in autumn and winter in children's educational institutions as a result of non-compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards in food preparation.

Mechanism of influence

Having penetrated into the human body, the intestinal influenza virus, belonging to the group of nora- and rotaviruses, infects the mucous membrane of the small intestine. As a result of the toxic effect of the pathogen, the mechanism for the production of certain enzymes necessary for the breakdown of sugars is disrupted. The developing pathological process disrupts the absorption of food by the villi of the mucous membrane of the small intestine and the regulation of fluid metabolism.

Due to the development of this pathology, severe diarrhea and dehydration of the body occur, requiring immediate assistance. Isolation of the virus from the body with feces in the feces is possible already on the first day after infection.

Symptoms of the disease

The onset of the disease does not differ in the characteristic features for this pathology, therefore, in the early stages of the development of the infection, the diagnosis can be difficult. With the aggravation of the patient's condition and an increase in the symptoms of the disease in the form of loose stools and fever, the diagnosis becomes clearer. Intestinal influenza in its development goes through several stages.

1. Incubation period
   The latent or latent period of the disease can range from several hours to three to five days. At this stage of the disease, symptoms characteristic of respiratory infections. There is a slight increase in temperature to subfebrile numbers (37.2 - 37.5 degrees), redness of the throat, hyperemia of the sclera of the eyes, general malaise.
2. Acute stage
   In the further course of intestinal influenza, a sharp deterioration in the patient's condition occurs. The symptoms of the disease are increasing. On the background elevated temperature(up to 38 degrees) there is nausea, vomiting of undigested food, abdominal pain, diarrhea. Fecal masses are frothy in nature. There is general weakness, lack of appetite. Liquid stools are protracted. This is a typical clinical picture of the disease.

Intestinal flu can be atypical. Of the clinical manifestations, it is possible to develop a slight pain syndrome, malaise, increased intestinal motility, manifested by rumbling in the abdomen and a decrease in appetite. The infection can also occur without diarrhea. But in 90% of cases, intestinal flu is accompanied by diarrhea. At atypical form diseases, the development of virus carriers is also possible.

Intestinal flu in adults symptoms and treatment may vary, depending on clinical picture, the severity of the disease, individual features sick.

Diagnosis of the disease

The symptoms of intestinal flu are not specific. In addition to the clinical manifestations of the disease, the diagnosis is confirmed laboratory diagnostics which includes the following blood and urine tests:

• complete blood count (in case of intestinal flu, leukocytosis, elevated ESR are detected);
• urinalysis - (protein appears, sometimes hyaline cylinders);
• PCR study;
• RPG research;
• stool culture for the presence of the virus.

Intestinal flu in adults

Intestinal flu symptoms and treatment in adults have their own characteristics. In adults, infection occurs mainly by airborne droplets or by drinking unboiled water. With an atypical course of the disease, the symptoms are mild, so intestinal flu is often mistaken for indigestion. The pathological process in this case is localized mainly in the stomach and intestines. Uncharacteristic of intestinal flu are catarrhal phenomena in the form of an itchy throat, stuffy nose, headache.

The process goes according to the type of general intoxication with manifestations of gastroenterocolitis. Patients are concerned about general weakness, pain in the muscles, in the abdomen, the presence subfebrile temperature(37.2 - 37.3 degrees), loose stools more than three times a day. As a rule, the disease lasts no more than three days. Consequences and complications with timely and proper treatment intestinal flu does not.

In rare cases, it is possible to develop lingering current diseases with the development of symptoms of dehydration, especially in the elderly and patients with chronic diseases internal organs.

Intestinal flu in children

Intestinal flu in children has its own symptoms and treatment. In pediatrics, children with intestinal flu are always under the special supervision of a doctor, since the symptoms of this infection are accompanied by a pronounced intoxication syndrome.

Within a few hours after the virus enters the body, the child becomes a distributor of the infection. It is the high contagiousness of the virus and the short incubation period explain occasional outbreaks of intestinal flu in childcare facilities.The clinical manifestations of this infectious disease are much more severe than in adults.

For children, intestinal flu poses a great danger due to the rapid increase in symptoms of intoxication.

Severe enterocolitis develops with symptoms of nausea, vomiting of undigested food, diarrhea up to 20 times a day. Against the background of dehydration, the stool becomes light in color with an unpleasant odor, and the urine becomes darker and more concentrated.

Since the children's contingent is a risk group for gastroenterocolitis of various etiologies, it becomes necessary to differentiate intestinal flu from infections such as salmonellosis, cholera, and food poisoning. The similarity of the clinical symptoms of the disease in the form of vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, allows you to distinguish one infection from another and make the correct diagnosis, using laboratory tests. In this case, a bacterial culture of feces for these infections is prescribed.

Treatment of the intestinal flu

Influenza treatment is carried out in a hospital with moderate disease and is prescribed taking into account the clinical manifestations of the disease, individual characteristics, the presence of complications in the form of dehydration. The treatment strategy is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease and preventing dehydration (symptomatic treatment). In this case, apply:

• antipyretic drugs;
• detoxification therapy;
• enzyme preparations.

In intestinal disorders, it is possible to use astringents, adsorbents, such as Activated carbon, Smekta. For pain, pain relievers.

Due to the viral nature of intestinal flu, the use of antibiotics is not required. Antibiotics are indicated only in case of infection (ARI, SARS).

First of all, with severe symptoms of the disease and to relieve dehydration, it is prescribed intravenous administration saline solutions. With milder symptoms of the course of the disease, a solution of Regidron inside is indicated.
In order to reduce the temperature, Paracetamol is indicated. Of the enzyme preparations that improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract - Mezim, Festal. In order to restore the intestinal microflora - Lactobacterin, Linex. It is also possible to use antiviral drugs - Anaferon, Interferon.
Children under three years of age are subject to mandatory hospitalization, as dangerous signs of dehydration can grow in them very quickly.

Treatment of intestinal flu in adults with a mild course of the disease can also occur at home. The necessary therapy and medicines are prescribed by the attending physician, who also conducts follow-up follow-up. In addition to taking medications, necessary condition to restore bowel function is the drinking regimen.
In the treatment of the disease, an important condition for recovery and restoration of bowel function is diet. Food must be subjected to certain processing, that is, cooking food only by steaming or stewing. The following foods are to be excluded from the diet:

• fatty meats;
• canned foods;
• smoked meat and fish products;
• whole milk;
• cheeses;
• alcoholic and tonic drinks;
• spicy seasonings;
• fresh juices;
• confectionery.

The diet necessarily includes cereals on the water, dietary meat of chicken, rabbit, turkey, soups in vegetable broth.

A good addition to medications will be the treatment of influenza with folk remedies.

• The use of mineral water without gas gives good effect when restoring salt metabolism.
• An infusion of alder cones helps fight diarrhea.
• An infusion of walnut leaves stops diarrhea and is a good anti-inflammatory agent.
• A spoonful of honey dissolved in water, with the addition lemon juice, has a beneficial effect on the intestines in recovery period illness.

Prevention of intestinal flu

Disease prevention is important point in warning this infectious disease. Since intestinal flu is a “disease of unwashed hands”, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene. Thorough washing of hands, vegetables, fruits, will help prevent disease. In addition, wearing a protective mask in crowded places during the autumn-winter epidemics significantly reduces the risk of disease.

One of the diseases that children often get is intestinal (stomach) flu, or, as it is rightly called, rotavirus infection or gastroenteritis.

Up to age three years they manage to get sick up to 80% of children. The often used name - intestinal flu, this disease was due to the similarity of the onset of the disease: the sharp and rapid onset of symptoms and the viral nature of the disease.

Rotavirus infection is the most common bowel disease in the world. To understand all the features of the flow this disease and to know how to help a sick child, it is worth considering it in detail.

Every parent tries to protect his child from all the dangers and difficulties that come his way. Unfortunately, this does not always work out, and children are one of the most frequently ill categories of people. This is due to the immaturity of the child's body, which does not yet have strong immunity to resist the diseases surrounding the child.

Symptoms of the intestinal flu

The intestinal flu is infectious diseases, which are caused by viruses from the rotavirus, astrovirus, calicivirus, and adenovirus families. Their action causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Children are the most susceptible to the action of this virus, the disease itself is more difficult and longer tolerated in them than in adults. This is easily explained - babies quite often take in their mouths miscellaneous items, not always pure, but their acidity gastric juice low, to affect the bacteria of the virus. Cases of intestinal flu are higher in autumn and winter, although they occur at any time of the year.

The most common ways of getting infected are eating unwashed fruits, unprocessed dairy products, or dirty hands. Also, bacteria can be present in raw drinking water, and even water in open reservoirs or pools is dangerous - when bathing, it gets on the mucous membranes. There are both airborne and household methods of transmission. Pathogenic microbes are transmitted by sneezing, talking, contained in droplets of saliva. They enter the gastrointestinal tract through the mucous membranes.

Incubation period for intestinal flu

Rotaviruses are highly viable and are not destroyed by standard detergents or wet cleaning. Low and high temperatures do not affect it. You can kill these microorganisms only with disinfectants with chlorine in the composition.

The duration of the incubation period is from five hours to five days. The rate of manifestation of signs of infection and how the disease will proceed depends directly on immune system infected and the concentration of the virus. Acute symptoms are observed for the first week, after which the patient recovers, but is still a carrier of the infection and is dangerous to others.

Microorganisms after penetration into the body, concentrated in the cells of the small intestine, disrupting the structure of the mucosa. This changes the production of digestive enzymes that help digest complex carbohydrates. Undigested carbohydrate foods accumulate in small intestine intestines and cause diarrhea. Also, patients have a runny nose, sore throat, cough, which disappear on their own after a short time. A feature of rotavirus infection is the presence of these signs of the disease at the onset of the disease.

A sick child complains of pain and rumbling of the abdomen, nausea, up to bouts of vomiting, weakness. The temperature can rise both slightly and strongly. After a few hours, diarrhea begins (up to 10 times a day).

An exacerbation usually lasts from three days to a week, during which time the body, especially a small child, is depleted. May decrease arterial pressure, fall hemoglobin content, appear pallor and dizziness. This disease is not fatal, but you should pay attention to it and seek medical help at the first sign. The body of a little man is not yet strong enough to cope with a rotavirus infection and its consequences. In severe cases, hospitalization will be required, but more often treatment is carried out at home.

Treatment of intestinal flu in children

For treatment, it is worth contacting a pediatrician who will visit the child at home. In the case of a severe course of the disease or a non-standard course, the help of an infectious disease specialist who receives in the clinic or in the inpatient department of the hospital may be required. Symptoms are in many ways similar to other more serious diseases, such as salmonellosis, so a visit to a doctor and special studies are a must.

To date, no special drugs are used to treat rotavirus infection. Microorganisms of this family are little affected by antiviral drugs and do not respond to antibiotics.

Mainly, it is worth paying attention to reducing the intoxication of the child's body and avoiding dehydration, which may be due to diarrhea and vomiting. For this, means are used to restore the water-salt balance, i.e. rehydration therapy. The options for the means used are quite wide, they can be used both individually and in combination.

Can be used at home or pharmaceutical products. For example, a drug solution is well suited. A decoction of chamomile, with the addition of dried apricots, raisins, salt and sugar, will also benefit. Mineral water without gas, green tea is not sweet - this can and should be offered to the child as often as possible. It is worth drinking liquids in small sips, and often - this will replenish the loss of fluid in the body.

Antipyretics, sleep, and a light diet help with other symptoms of the disease. Depending on the child's desire to eat, it is worth offering him light and steamed/boiled foods. Of course, you need to exclude all canned, fatty and sweet foods from the diet - now they will only add stress to the body and slow down recovery. You should not use dairy products that have not undergone heat treatment.

To cope with the toxins formed in the intestines, it is recommended to use: activated charcoal, smectite, enterosgel and others. They will help in the digestion of carbohydrates and preparations with enzymes - creon, mezim and others. After the recession acute symptoms diseases, you should begin to restore the intestinal microflora. For this, Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Hilak and other probiotics, widely represented in pharmacies, are used. The complex use of sorbents, enzymes and probiotics helps to cope with bloating and pain in it.

Prevention of intestinal flu

After an illness, it is worth restoring potassium reserves in the body. In that good helpers there will be foods with a high content of it - bananas, rice porridge, pumpkin, meat, grapes, dried fruits, melons and others. For some time, fatty, fried and preservative-containing foods, store juices and soda should be excluded from the diet. Porridges on the water, light soups with vegetables, jelly will be gentle for the restoring child's body. It is advisable to feed the child often, but little by little.

To avoid the disease, pay attention to simple recommendations:

1. Wash your hands well with disinfectants before eating and after visiting crowded places.
2. Use boiled, purified water and individual dishes for drinking.
3. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating.
4. Do not swim in water bodies that are not intended for this and have not been tested by sanitary and epidemiological services. When bathing, make sure that water does not get inside.

Intestinal flu in children is a rotavirus infection that enters the gastrointestinal tract through food or contaminated water. This disease belongs to the group of "diseases of dirty hands". Therefore, the main precaution is the observance of the rules of personal hygiene.

The peak incidence occurs in the winter. It is diagnosed mainly in children aged 6 months to 3 years. By the age of 4, more than 90% of children have stable immunity to the rotavirus group. Among schoolchildren and adolescents, intestinal flu does not spread and occurs only in children with weakened immune systems.

Rotavirus has a high degree of resistance to adverse environmental factors. AT stool in a sick person or carrier, it can maintain its virulence for 6-7 months. In the air and on household items, pathogenic forms remain viable for 5-8 days. It is reliably known that approximately 40% of the adult population of the Earth are permanent or temporary carriers of rotaviruses of various strains. They have no symptoms of the disease. Therefore, the probability of infection of infants and toddlers in case of non-compliance with hygienic household rules is very high.

The first signs of the intestinal flu

Symptoms of intestinal flu in children appear a day after infection. Parents should pay attention to the following characteristic symptoms:

• the baby's body temperature rises to 38-39 ° C;
• appears (up to 15 times a day);
• stool light color, watery with impurities of mucus;
• diffuse abdominal pain, tenesmus;
• rumbling in the right side of the abdomen along the course of the small intestine.

In the future, symptoms of intoxication and dehydration of the child's body join. The incubation period is 24 - 48 hours. With a favorable course, the disease recedes for 5-7 days, and the child is on the mend.

Clinical symptoms of intestinal flu

In the diagnosis of intestinal flu, for differentiation with other forms of intestinal infection, it is important for the doctor clinical symptoms. The determining factor is the isolation of rotavirus in the feces during a bacterial study.

The following clinical symptoms of intestinal flu are important for diagnosis:

• compliance with the seasonality of the spread of infection (the period from November to March);
• the age of the child is up to 3 years;
• characteristic consistency and color of feces;
• abrupt onset of the disease;
• bacterial research.

For preventive purposes, all family members are examined. To exclude more severe forms infections are carried out differential diagnosis with shigellosis, cholera.

Treatment of intestinal flu and its complications

Specific treatment for intestinal flu modern medicine not known. Does not exist pharmacological preparation, which has a pathogenic effect on rotavirus. Therefore, therapies for rotavirus infection are as follows:

• prevention of development of dehydration;
• reduction of hyperthermia in children;
• increase the level of resistance of the baby's body.

In practice, the treatment of intestinal flu is as follows:

• the child is placed on bed rest;
• increased drinking regimen;
• for symptomatic purposes, antispasmodics, means to lower body temperature are used;
• an appropriate sparing diet is prescribed;
• vitamin therapy is provided to replenish the costs that are necessary for the regeneration of the intestinal mucosa.

During the treatment of intestinal flu, spicy, fried, irritating foods should be excluded from the child's diet. You should completely abandon products that increase gas formation. These are legumes, carbonated drinks, spices, sweets, meat, cabbage. The child can be given mashed boiled vegetables, mucous porridges, kissels, crackers, unsweetened cookies. fruit juices and fresh fruits are excluded until the complete cessation of diarrhea. Used for drinking mineral water, decoctions of vegetables, compotes from bird cherry.

Complications of intestinal flu can be various erosions, intestinal ulcers, hypovolemia, chronic colitis. With the right approach to the treatment of intestinal flu in children, complications develop extremely rarely.

Prevention of intestinal flu in children

Specific methods for the prevention of intestinal influenza have not been developed. There is no vaccine for this disease. Therefore, the main prevention of intestinal flu comes down to observing the rules of personal hygiene. When caring for a baby, you need to keep your hands clean. When preparing food for a child, it is not recommended to use common household items. All diapers, baby clothes should be carefully ironed on both sides. For bathing, only boiled water should be used.

Caring mothers devote a lot of time to maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the home, making sure that the baby thoroughly washed his hands and consumed only fresh food. But sooner or later, any child is faced with signs of an intestinal infection - diarrhea and vomiting. Such manifestations do not always indicate poisoning caused by pathogenic bacteria. Often the cause of the disease is rotavirus, and the disease is popularly called "intestinal flu".

Pediatrician, neonatologist

According to the World Health Organization, everyone is familiar with rotavirus infection. Moreover, the first meeting with the pathogen in most cases occurred before 2 years, and by the age of 5 years, almost all children had already had the disease. Although the disease is widespread, few parents know its manifestations and treatment features. Often, they try to defeat the disease with completely inappropriate means, which increases the duration of the disease and leads to the development of complications.

About the causative agent

Rotaviruses belong to the Reovirus family and cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In total, 9 types of pathogens belonging to this genus are known, but viruses of groups A, B and C are dangerous for humans. At the same time, rotavirus A is detected in 90% of cases of intestinal influenza.

The pathogen got its name because of the rounded shape of the virus. The term "rotavirus" was derived from the Latin word "rota", which translates as "wheel".

The features of these extracellular particles include high resistance to environmental factors. Viruses remain viable even when dried and repeatedly frozen. Not able to overcome the non-cellular particle ether, chloroform, ultrasound. To destroy the rotavirus, you will have to resort to boiling, surface treatment with strong acids and alkalis, 95% ethanol.

Susceptibility to the causative agent of intestinal flu is very high, and although the diagnosis of "rotavirus infection" sounds rare, 100% of people suffered it in childhood. Due to the variety of serovars of an infectious agent, a child can get sick several times, and there is no stable protection against infection. But due to the development of cross-immunity, subsequent infections with rotavirus do not cause severe manifestations, the disease proceeds more easily each time. Therefore, primary infection with this infectious agent is considered the most dangerous.

About the reasons

The source of rotavirus infection is always a sick person. Moreover, you can get infected not only from a sick person with obvious clinical manifestations, but also from an asymptomatic carrier of the infection.

The greatest danger is the patient in the acute period of the disease, average duration which is 5 days. But the isolation of the virus can persist up to 20 days from the onset of the disease. Sometimes, with reduced immunity, the patient remains contagious for up to a month or a virus carrier develops.

Viruses get into environment with feces and saliva, and infection occurs mainly when the pathogen is swallowed by a child.

Just 1 gram of the feces of a sick person can contain more than 10 trillion viral particles, and 100 units are enough to infect a child. Therefore, the risk of getting sick with intestinal flu, if basic hygiene rules are not followed, is huge.

Most often, the virus enters the body of the crumbs through infected things - toys, underwear, household items. But the penetration of an infectious agent is not excluded when drinking unboiled water, contaminated food.

The spread of the virus is also possible through airborne droplets, when sneezing, coughing, kissing. But such infections are less common.

Epidemiology

Most often, manifestations of rotavirus disease in a child can be detected in the autumn-winter period. Often, large outbreaks of the disease occur during seasonal respiratory infections.

Its informal name is "stomach flu" ” received due to the highest prevalence of infection on the eve of influenza epidemics.

Due to the high contagiousness (contagiousness), the disease often occurs massively, group diseases are noted in children's institutions and hospitals. Predisposing factors for the development of the disease include the cold season, crowding in hospitals, frequent contacts of children in groups.

Very rare cases of rotavirus infection in children under 3 months. Infants have immunity received from the mother during pregnancy or.

Pathogenesis

The pathogen enters the body of the crumbs and reaches the small intestine. Invading the cells of the surface layer of the intestinal wall, the infectious agent begins to actively multiply. The process of splitting and absorption of nutrients is disturbed, diarrhea occurs.

A distinctive feature of rotavirus is the property of the pathogen to cause. Normally, the enzyme is synthesized by intestinal cells and is necessary for the absorption of lactose. With a lack of a substance, intolerance to dairy products occurs, which persists for several weeks.

How to suspect the disease?

The first manifestations of the disease occur at least 12 hours after contact with the source of infection. The duration of the incubation period in different cases ranges from 1 to 5 days. The main symptoms of the disease are:

1. Vomit.

Often this symptom precedes acute manifestations of the disease. The baby has a single or double vomiting, nausea, weakness, dizziness, minor symptoms of intoxication.

After the prodrome, there are acute manifestations illness, the child's body temperature rises to 38 - 39 degrees, which is hard to knock down by conventional means.

1. Diarrhea.

There is a repeated liquid stool of yellow-green color with a pungent odor. Diarrhea in a child can persist for 3 to 7 days, and its frequency reaches 20 times a day. Starting from 2-3 days from the onset of the disease, the stool acquires a gray-yellow hue and becomes clay-like. Feces usually do not contain pathological impurities, blood, but sometimes mucus appears.

If bloody contents are found in the baby's stool, you should immediately consult a doctor.

1. Respiratory manifestations.

With the appearance of dyspeptic symptoms, most patients develop symptoms of acute respiratory infections. The baby complains of a sore throat, runny nose, cough, and discharge from palpebral fissures develops conjunctivitis.

Often, after intestinal infections, the baby is diagnosed with a lung disease - pneumonia. This complication of the disease is a consequence of improper treatment of the child and the development of dehydration. The low fluid content in the body of the crumbs is reflected in the work of all organs, including respiratory system. A thick, difficult-to-remove mucus appears in the bronchi, then a bacterial infection joins and pneumonia occurs. It turns out that a serious complication can be prevented by simple soldering and rational treatment.

1. Abdominal pain.

The baby notes the appearance of soreness, usually in the upper abdomen. The intensity and severity of the symptom depends on the degree of intestinal damage. Almost always, the pain is accompanied by rumbling in the abdomen, flatulence.

1. General symptoms.

Children with intestinal flu will inevitably experience signs of intoxication. With a mild course of the disease, the baby complains of weakness, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, loss of appetite. If the symptoms of the disease are significantly expressed, the disease can occur with cramps in the limbs, fainting of the child, damage to the cardiovascular system.

1. Dehydration of the body.

The infection is accompanied by symptoms of vomiting, repeated watery stools, increased sweating with fever. All this leads to excessive fluid loss and deterioration of the child's condition. The situation is complicated by the unwillingness of the crumbs to drink water due to intoxication syndrome and sore throat.

Rotavirus infection is terrible for the development of dehydration. Parents don't always notice dangerous symptoms, because the condition of the crumbs is changing rapidly. Especially dangerous is the lack of fluid for children under one year old. Infants quickly develop serious complications: lesions nervous system, pneumonia.

When the first symptoms of dehydration appear in a child, it is urgent to call a doctor. Before the arrival of a specialist, parents should try to give the baby water or an oral rehydration solution to drink. The main signs of a lack of fluid in the child's body include: dry mouth, crying without tears, lack of urine and sweat.

To determine the disease, a comprehensive examination of the child is carried out, which includes:

1. Disease history.

To suspect a viral cause of the disease, you should pay attention to the signs of rotavirus infection. It is necessary to take into account the age of the child, the presence of infection among his environment, family, seasonality of the disease. Also, the development of intestinal flu is indicated by the phasing of the appearance of vomiting and, a combination of signs of a cold with intestinal disorders. Diagnosis is easier if outbreaks or familial outbreaks are detected.

1. Examination of the patient.

Upon further examination, the child reveals signs, pain in the abdomen, dyspeptic disorders and other clinical symptoms of the disease.

1. Laboratory research:

• General blood analysis.

When examining blood, it is important to take into account the period of the disease. At the beginning of the disease, when the symptoms are most pronounced, changes in the blood count are manifested in an increase in the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin, thickening of the blood.

Also for the acute phase of the disease is characterized by an increase in the number of leukocytes and ESR. Against the background of treatment, infusion therapy, the number of leukocytes decreases, and lymphocytes remain high. After recovery, the blood formula returns to normal completely.

• Fecal analysis.

During illness, the nature of the stool changes, the feces become plentiful, frothy with particles undigested food, stinking. There are no signs of inflammation in the coprogram - leukocytes, erythrocytes, mucus, but starch grains, fiber, neutral fat are found.

The composition of the microflora of feces is also disturbed, the number of beneficial bifidobacteria decreases, and the growth of microbial associations increases. There are signs of lactase deficiency and acidic stool pH values.

• Immunochromatography.

The method of express diagnostics for establishing rotavirus infection works very well. With the help of a rota test, the intestinal flu virus is detected in the patient's feces within 15 minutes. The method is easy to perform and can be used at home, and the reliability of the method approaches 100%. To perform the test, it is enough to take a little stool from the baby and place it on the diagnosticum, 2 strips will indicate the viral nature of the infection.

• Other methods.

The virus can be detected in feces using latex agglutination, passive hemagglutination and enzyme immunoassay. But these methods are used only in research laboratories and are considered expensive. You can find antibodies to infection in the blood thanks to serological reactions. These studies are used more often in recovered children and are necessary for the analysis of the epidemiological situation.

Treatment of intestinal flu in children

At the first appearance of symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to begin therapeutic measures:

1. Fight against dehydration.

Parents are obliged to do everything possible to water the baby. Young children are very difficult to tolerate the lack of fluid in the body, it is possible to develop serious complications or even the death of a child.

According to statistics, about 2% of registered cases of rotavirus infection worldwide are fatal. The disease is especially dangerous for children with weakened immune systems, chronic diseases, premature babies and children with low birth weight.

It is worth drinking the baby often and fractionally, and giving preference saline solutions and drinks. Effectively cope with the symptoms of dehydration means for oral rehydration ("Regidron", "Humana Electrolyte"), which should always be in the home first aid kit.

If there is no special solution, parents can prepare a medicinal drink on their own. It is enough to add 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of salt and baking soda in 1 liter of warm boiled water.

You can determine if your baby is drinking enough fluids by counting the frequency of urination. If the baby runs to the potty every 3 hours, then there is nothing to worry about. In case of rare urination and dark color urine, you need to take measures to restore the water balance of the body.

If the parents themselves cannot make up for the lack of fluid, the child is hospitalized in a hospital. There, the baby is given infusion therapy, solutions are administered intravenously.

1. Antipyretics.

Since the disease proceeds with a significant increase in temperature, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs based on paracetamol and ibuprofen is shown to babies. These drugs are widely used in pediatric practice and have the fewest contraindications and side effects.

1. Detoxification therapy.

To reduce intoxication, the use of enterosorbents, such as Polysorb, Activated charcoal, is indicated.

Antiemetics and antidiarrheals should be prescribed by a doctor after examining and examining the patient. Independent application these drugs can lead to a deterioration in the condition of the child.

1. Improved digestion.

For more efficient digestion of food, enzyme preparations are prescribed - Pangrol, Creon, which are administered during meals or immediately after meals. To restore the intestinal microflora, the use of probiotics is shown - "Linex", "Bifiform".

Often during treatment intestinal flu» funds are prescribed to fight the virus and strengthen immunity, antimicrobials. There is a lot of controversy around antiviral drugs and their effectiveness in the treatment of "intestinal flu' has not been proven. A appointment antibacterial drugs at " intestinal flu » is fraught with the development of complications.

1. Diet for intestinal.

To speed up recovery and alleviate unpleasant symptoms in a baby, it is worth adhering to a certain diet. Parents should understand what to feed the child, know the peculiarities of the diet for the "intestinal flu" in the child:

• it is worth giving preference to liquid and light food;
• rice water, dietary soups, uzvars have a good effect on the intestinal wall;
• you need to remove smoked, fried, sweet foods from the menu;
• it is unacceptable to consume carbonated drinks, cola, raw vegetables and fruits;
• It is forbidden to give the baby products containing lactose.

A feature of rotavirus is its ability to cause lactase deficiency. Eating dairy products will slow recovery, and diarrhea will last longer. Babies under one year old who are fed with a mixture need to replace the product with a low-lactose or sour-milk analogue. If the baby receives only, you will have to reduce its amount, but remove it altogether breast-feeding not worth it.

The time required to completely cure the "intestinal flu" ranges from 8 to 10 days. But it takes about a month to fight the consequences of the infection, so it is important to follow a diet, even if the manifestations of the infection are no longer there.

Prevention of intestinal flu in children

To general rules warnings intestinal infections relate:

• comply with hygiene standards and rules;
• monitor the cleanliness of toys, household items;
• avoid contact with sick children;
• drink only boiled water;
• sterilize baby dishes and pacifiers;
• increase the body's resistance to infections.

But, unfortunately, even following all the above rules, it is impossible to avoid infection with rotavirus. Due to its characteristics, the pathogen affects almost all children; only vaccination will help protect against infection.

There are 2 types of vaccines against "intestinal flu" - the American "Rotatec" and the Belgian "Rotarix". Both of them are administered orally, in the form of drops in the mouth, and are well tolerated.

Often, infection with the virus occurs starting at 6 months of a baby's life. To form reliable immunity, the baby must receive all doses of the vaccine before the age of six months. Immunization with "Rotatek" is carried out three times, and "Rotarix" twice with an interval of 45 days.

The flu shot helps to reduce the risk of getting sick by 80% and ensures that the infection is easier in case of infection with the virus. Unfortunately, vaccination against rotavirus is not yet included in the vaccination schedule in Russia.

Conclusion

Intestinal influenza in children is a widespread disease that every baby will inevitably get sick with. Although every inhabitant of the planet faces it, few parents know its symptoms and features of the course.

Graduated from Luhansk State medical University in the specialty "Pediatrics" in 2010, she graduated from the internship in the specialty "Neonatology" in 2017, in 2017 she was awarded the 2nd category in the specialty "Neonatology". I work in the Lugansk Republican perinatal center, earlier - the department for newborns of the Rovenkovsky maternity hospital. I specialize in nursing premature babies.

Therapists call this disease gastroenteritis, pediatricians - rotavirus infection. But, at its core, rotavirus infection is not influenza. What are the symptoms and treatment of intestinal flu in young children?

How is the stomach flu transmitted in a small child?

The causative agent of gastroenteritis are rotavirus and noroviruses, astroviruses, caliciviruses, adenoviruses. Their active reproduction leads to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, due to which this species The flu is also called the stomach flu.

The Latin word "rota" means "wheel", that is, the name of the disease arose because viruses have a two-layer shell, which gives them the appearance of a wheel.

According to statistics, in 25% of cases of intestinal flu in children under one year old is caused by rotavirus. At the age of one to three - in 60%, from 4 to 6 years - in 40% of children.

Rotavirus infection can be contracted by airborne droplets and food. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful when contacting other (even healthy-looking) people, since the incubation period of the disease is 5 days. After recovery, a person remains a carrier of microbes for several days and is potentially dangerous in terms of infection. That is why it is so important to take care of the hygiene of the child if there are patients with gastroenteritis in his environment.

The main requirement is frequent washing of hands with soap, minimizing contact with a sick person. Rotavirus infection is especially dangerous for preschool children and the elderly.

How does the intestinal flu in children: symptoms and signs

When rotavirus enters the body, it can be detected within an hour in the cells of the small intestine. It attacks and disrupts the structure of the mucous membrane of the organ. Gradually, this leads to a violation of the synthesis of digestive enzymes responsible for the breakdown of complex carbohydrates. So in time small intestine accumulate undigested carbohydrates. They attract excess fluid, cause watery diarrhea and dehydration of the entire body. And this is the main danger of intestinal flu.

When parents have a suspicion that a child is affected by rotavirus, it is necessary to call a pediatrician at home. You do not need to take a sick baby to the doctor, because he is contagious. Usually vomiting with intestinal flu in children is observed up to 5 times. As for the stool, diarrhea can disturb the sick person 10 times a day. In this case, outpatient (home) treatment is possible.

The incubation period of the disease lasts 5 days. Symptoms of the disease appear rapidly and actively.

Usually the child has a slight cough, sore throat, runny nose, that is, symptoms characteristic of the common flu. This occurs a few hours before the onset of dyspeptic manifestations (associated with disruption of the digestive tract). It is catarrhal phenomena (occurring on the mucous membranes) that distinguish intestinal flu from common disorders digestion.

Main initial signs stomach flu- sore throat, its redness, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, which quickly disappear. Next, the patient develops loose stools. It can be from 5 to 10 times a day. At the same time, the color of the feces is gray-yellow, the stools are clay-like, plentiful. They have a pungent smell, but there are no impurities of blood and mucus in them. The baby is disturbed by rumbling, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, subfebrile or high temperature. He becomes weak, drowsy, apathetic. With a severe course of rotavirus infection, the baby becomes dehydrated.

Parents should understand that they themselves cannot accurately determine whether their child has an intestinal virus or salmonellosis, food poisoning. Only an experienced pediatrician can differentiate these diseases. In this case, you can not do without his help.

How to treat intestinal flu in a child

Therapy must be comprehensive. It is based on following a diet, replenishing fluid deficiency and taking medicines prescribed by a pediatrician.

Food

The diet of a child with rotavirus infection should be strictly limited. It is necessary to exclude sour-milk and dairy products from the menu - they contribute to the reproduction and activation of viruses in the intestines.

It is also necessary to exclude all juices, fruits, and other carbohydrate-rich foods. This is necessary to prevent fermentation in the intestines and diarrhea attacks.

For intestinal flu baby his daily portions of food must be reduced by almost 2 times. Such a therapeutic measure is necessary to prevent blockage of the intestine. It is necessary to feed the patient in small portions, it is impossible to immediately give liquid after eating - this contributes to the occurrence of vomiting.

In the first 4-5 days, the child should not be given meat. Even dietary during such a period will be too heavy for the body. Later, you need to start gradually introducing poultry meat and boiled meat into the menu. lean fish. Protein is very important for a growing organism as a building material. It is forbidden even after recovery for another week to introduce corned beef and smoked meats into the menu. Rotavirus infection has a negative effect on the liver and kidneys, so they need to be protected.

Dietary restrictions without a doubt can turn into a strong weight loss. But during the recovery period, the children's appetite returns, they gain the lost kilograms. There is no need to worry about this.

How to treat intestinal flu in a child: drugs

To date, there is no specific treatment for rotavirus infection. The main therapy is aimed at reducing intoxication, as well as normalizing water-salt metabolism. That is, the treatment of intestinal flu in children is symptomatic. Its goal is to reduce the negative effect of the virus on the body.

The main thing is that there is no dehydration, so rehydration therapy is necessary. And for this, Regidron is most often used. One sachet of medicine is dissolved in a liter of boiled water. His sick child must drink during the day. Let him drink in small portions. Any mother can prepare a similar solution on her own by mixing 700 ml of boiled water, 300 ml of dried apricots, 4 teaspoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Drink the liquid in small sips.

Also, the pediatrician may prescribe sorbents. These are Smecta, Enterosgel, activated carbon, Polysorb.

If a child's rotavirus infection resolves with fever and severe diarrhea, then Furazolidone, Enterol, Enterofuril are prescribed.

You should take medicines with digestive enzymes. These are Pancreatin, Creon, Mezim forte, Ftalazol.

After the acute phase of the disease subsides, it is necessary to restore the microflora baby intestine. For this purpose, Bifiform, Linex, RioFlora-Balance, Hilak forte, Bifidumbacterin are prescribed.

Antibiotics are not used in the treatment of rotavirus.

Folk remedies

The best option to replenish the fluid deficiency in the baby's body is a carrot drink. It is necessary to prepare 500 grams of carrots - wash, peel, chop. The resulting slurry must be boiled for half an hour in a liter of salted water. The broth must be cooled, strained and put in the refrigerator. You can store it for a day and give it to a sick baby to drink. Carrots can be offered to children after a year. If the baby is sick up to 6 months, then he needs to give a decoction of chamomile.

To combat gastroenteritis in children after three years, honey can be used. It works great on digestive system. Several times a day you need to give the baby ½ teaspoon of honey.

Suitable for treatment and such a herbal collection: chamomile flowers, dried fruits of cumin, blueberries and strawberries, take in equal amounts - mix. One teaspoon of this collection should be brewed with a glass of boiling water, covered for 15 minutes, and then strained. It is necessary to drink the infusion in a tablespoon, often. The remedy is given to the child without added sugar. It can be treated with children older than a year until their full recovery.

Intestinal flu in children: Komarovsky

A well-known pediatrician focuses on two aspects of treatment.

The first is the inadmissibility of the use of antibiotics in the fight against intestinal flu. This category of medicines does not act on viruses! So no need to try to use them.

The second point is the importance of soldering a sick child, because the main danger of childhood intestinal flu is dehydration. Dr. Komarovsky considers active resistance to dehydration to be the basis of treatment. He recommends that parents give sick children fluids every 30 minutes. Even if the baby's diarrhea gradually stops on the second day of illness, it still needs to be actively soldered. But you don’t need to force-feed, the pediatrician is sure. The child will be able to regain the lost weight after a full recovery.

Especially for - Diana Rudenko