Stomach flu
- this is not one, but a whole group of viral diseases, in which symptoms are pronounced, similar to intestinal pathologies, in particular gastroenteritis. The disease received its name due to the similarity of clinical signs with regular flu, namely:
- outbreaks during autumn and winter;
- rapid infection occurs, up to epidemics;
- catarrhal lesions are observed in the oropharynx;
- the disease is transmitted by airborne droplets (one of the methods);
- the disease lasts on average 7 days.
Those at risk are more likely to get sick
The group most susceptible to intestinal flu infection is young children under 3 years of age.
, about 50% of all intestinal problems are associated with this disease. It is worth noting that when breastfeeding, the baby is protected by the mother’s immunity, and the incidence of diseases during this period is extremely low. If the child is weaned, then in such cases infection is registered already from 3 months of age. After an illness, the child gains immune experience and the risk of further infections is reduced.
Older people get sick much less often; on average, this is every 4th case of intestinal infection.
Also included in the risk group is
people with weakened immune systems:
- in the presence of transplanted organs;
- cancer patients;
- for chronic gastrointestinal diseases;
- HIV patients;
- pregnant women.
What consequences can rotavirus have?
In mild cases, the infection usually ends without complications, and the body recovers in one to two weeks. In severe cases of the disease and untreated, the disease can be complicated by severe manifestations of dehydration: kidney failure, shock, malabsorption of nutrients in the stomach and intestines, blood thickening, interruptions in heart function, decreased body defenses and secondary infection.
Long-term consequences of untreated rotavirus infection include:
- dysbacteriosis;
- chronic gastritis;
- chronic colitis;
- avitaminosis;
- insomnia;
- anemia.
As a result of weakening the body's defenses, herpes, skin acne and fungal infections can develop.
If you seek medical help in a timely manner and treatment is started on time, the prognosis for rotavirus infection is favorable.
A few words for pregnant women: as a rule, rotavirus is not dangerous to the fetus. The main threat of this infection is dehydration of the expectant mother!
Causes of intestinal flu
As mentioned above, the cause of this disease is viruses that have the ability to carry out their life activities in the epithelial cells of the small intestine.
Adenoviruses
They have increased resistance and survival, as a rule, they affect the upper respiratory tract, are accompanied by conjunctivitis, and the epithelium of the small intestine is also affected. This virus is especially dangerous for children under 2 years of age; adults, as a rule, have acquired immunity. The method of transmission is airborne, fecal, through contact with household items, food, water. Disinfection methods are ineffective; ultraviolet light is used to destroy viruses, or when heated to more than 60 degrees.
Rotaviruses
It selectively affects the upper respiratory tract and epithelial cells of the small intestine; during an exacerbation, it circulates in the blood and affects liver cells. Standard disinfection methods are not effective; the virus is very resistant and only dies when boiled. Remains viable on surfaces (eg fruit, door handles, towels) for up to 14 days.
Noroviruses (Norwalk)
It got its name from the city in the USA Norwalk, where an epidemic of “stomach flu” accompanied by vomiting was recorded. There is very little data about this virus, it is also very stable and has strong survivability, does not respond to standard disinfection methods, and dies at high temperatures. The disease spreads through water, food, contact household items, and seafood.
There are also Toroviruses and Astroviruses, but they are extremely rare.
Treatment of rotavirus infection in adults
The main efforts need to be focused on the following areas:
- treatment of intoxication;
- treatment of dehydration;
- restoration of intestinal function.
How to treat rotavirus infection in adults? Diet that is gentle on the digestive system is prescribed, fats and fast carbohydrates, and dairy products are limited.
The diet for rotavirus infection consists of pureed porridges, soups, unpalatable dry biscuits, “yesterday’s” white bread, steamed fish or meat cutlets, fruit and berry jellies, omelettes, and jelly.
To replenish fluids and electrolytes, saline solutions are prescribed orally or intravenously.
Treatment in adults involves the administration of intestinal sorbents to reduce viral intoxication. Perhaps the most popular of these drugs of this kind is Enterosgel. This sorbent is also effective for children and pregnant women and has virtually no contraindications for use. For viral gastroenteritis, it is advisable to prescribe enzyme preparations, and preparations with lactic acid bacteria and... again Enterosgel will help restore the normal picture of intestinal flora.
Prescribing antidiarrheal drugs and antibiotics is inappropriate.
How does stomach flu spread?
The disease spreads through infected people, through airborne droplets, and through feces
.
In other words, the virus spreads through contact objects, poorly processed foods, and neglect of personal hygiene. Intestinal flu spreads especially quickly in kindergartens, shared toys, tables, chairs, door handles, bed linen, pots.
I would especially like to note infection through bottled drinking water. There is evidence of large epidemics of intestinal flu that spread in this way. The fact is that these viruses can remain viable in water for months.
Diagnostics
The results of the following studies help a pediatrician or therapist make an accurate diagnosis:
- a blood test showing an increase in the level of leukocytes;
- stool analysis, where there is an increase in leukocytes, starch grains, as well as undigested muscle fibers;
- serological blood test;
- positive results of infection of cell cultures with viral particles of the patient’s stool;
- PCR method that examines blood and stool samples.
Differential diagnosis is carried out to exclude a bacterial infection; the viral nature of the disease is confirmed by positive results of serological examination and bacterial culture.
How does intestinal flu develop?
Viruses that cause disease enter the human body through the oral cavity, food, water, saliva, and dirty hands.
. They are not afraid of the acidic environment of the stomach; they easily overcome it and enter the intestines.
The main task of the intestines is to extract nutrients from food by breaking it down into its component parts using enzymes.
The entire surface of the intestinal walls is dotted with special villi, and these, in turn, are covered with epithelial cells - enterocytes. Intestinal influenza viruses, like parasites, penetrate these cells and begin to actively multiply, while the activity of the cell itself stops. Having reached critical filling, the cell literally explodes and mass infection of all surrounding cells occurs, the process repeats. As a result, first of all, the absorption of carbohydrates is disrupted; they begin to accumulate, creating a “plug” in the intestines. The body begins to supply liquid to dilute the resulting congestion, because of this, irritation of the intestinal walls occurs and reflex peristalsis is triggered, in simple words, diarrhea and diarrhea begin.
As a result of the overflow of the duodenum, food from the stomach cannot move normally, contractions of the walls begin and food comes out in the form of vomiting.
The immune system reacts to what is happening with the emergency production of specific antibodies, and the source of infection begins to decrease. Virus particles come out in the stool and begin a new round of infection.
Diagnosis of the disease
At the first appointment, the therapist listens to the patient’s complaints, studies the medical history, conducts a visual examination and palpation of the abdomen, measures body temperature and blood pressure.
To differentiate viral gastroenteritis from bacterial and determine the severity of the condition, laboratory diagnostics are performed, which may include:
- general and biochemical blood test;
- general urine analysis;
- examination of stool and vomit.
If necessary, the therapist refers the patient for consultation with a gastroenterologist or infectious disease specialist.
How does intestinal flu proceed, symptoms, signs
As has already become clear, this is essentially a group of diseases caused by various viruses, and the symptoms, as well as the course, are slightly different. On average, 7-10 days pass from the time of infection to the first manifestations. However, an infected person begins to infect others even before the first signs and symptoms of intestinal flu begin; this occurs towards the end of the incubation period.
As a rule, the onset of the disease is marked by a sharp rise in temperature of 38-40 degrees, diarrhea and vomiting. Less often, the patient begins to feel a loss of strength, a reluctance to eat, a headache, and may have a slight fever, but the next day, diarrhea and vomiting will definitely occur.
As a result of loose stools, the body rapidly loses fluid, dehydration occurs, this is very dangerous, especially for small children.
The gag reflex, as a companion to the disease, is also very dangerous, because it causes vomiting from everything, even from water. In such cases, hospitalization is necessary.
There may be nasal congestion and sore throat, especially when swallowing.
Temperature and fever last for 2 to 4 days; if this period increases, then most likely there is additional bacterial damage to the microflora.
Rotavirus infection in children
Scientists estimate that 95% of children suffer from rotavirus in the first years of their lives!
Most often, a viral infection is diagnosed in a child 2-3 years old. There are frequent cases of the disease in children under one year of age, when the baby is given complementary foods and the risk of “getting” the virus through domestic means increases. Children who are breastfed very rarely encounter such problems.
In children, the infection manifests itself more aggressively than in adults. The disease is characterized by catarrhal, gastrointestinal symptoms and signs of intoxication. Catarrhal symptoms are similar to ARVI or a cold, which is why the disease is called “intestinal flu”: the patient is worried about redness of the throat, pain when swallowing, runny nose, dry cough and fever. After a few days, digestive disorders appear.
On the part of the child’s digestive system, foul-smelling diarrhea, vomiting, pain in the upper abdomen, and bloating are disturbed.
Symptoms associated with viral intoxication:
- poor appetite;
- smell of acetone from the mouth;
- lethargy.
Signs of rotavirus infection in children with dehydration:
- drowsiness;
- crying without tears;
- irritability;
- "dry diaper";
- dry skin;
- sunken eyes;
- heartbeat.
Once these symptoms are detected, treatment should be started on time!
Is it possible to treat a baby at home? Show your child to the pediatrician! He will assess the severity of gastroenteritis and prescribe outpatient or inpatient treatment.
The famous pediatrician Komarovsky warns that severe rotavirus infection in infants, which is accompanied by vomiting and copious bowel movements, is an indication for urgent hospitalization!
