Every person has encountered intestinal diseases at least once in their life. The main cause of the development of pathologies is infection, the causative agents of which are bacteria, toxins and microbes. Often, intestinal infections provoke the development of dangerous diseases and have a detrimental effect on the entire human digestive system. The patient’s condition depends on the severity of its course. It is worth remembering that intestinal infection has symptoms; treatment in adults should be carried out immediately as soon as they appear.
Acute intestinal infection, symptoms in adults
The concept of acute infection in the human digestive system is of a general nature, which depends on several factors. These include the main causative agents of the disease (viruses and bacteria) and toxic poisoning of the body with food.
Once an infection enters the body, it begins to develop rapidly, affecting some parts of the digestive tract. Basically, the inflammatory process begins in the stomach, duodenum, small and large intestines. This condition leads to disturbances in the food absorption system, and also provokes inflammation of the mucous membranes of the corresponding organs. To know how to determine whether this disease is infectious or not, you need to know its signs.
Symptoms of acute intestinal infections:
- Accumulation of gases in the abdomen (flatulence).
- Profuse diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
- Tolerable pain in the abdominal area, intermittent in the form of sharp spasms.
Temperature is often observed due to an intestinal infection. It can be caused by inflammatory processes that are triggered by the spread of viruses. Sometimes the heat reaches 39 degrees, which is dangerous for the human condition.
Note! To avoid negative consequences, you should consult a doctor at the first appearance of the disease. Rapid loss of fluid in the form of vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which is very dangerous for the body.
Types of intestinal infection
Intestinal infection is a dangerous disease that affects both adults and children. It is insidious with its complications, and poses a great threat to the entire human body, since it can affect all organs and affect their functioning.
This disease is often caused by viruses, which have several varieties. Clinically, they are similar, the symptoms also sometimes coincide, but there are nuances that force them to be classified.
Types of enteric viral infection:
- norovirus intestinal infection;
- rotavirus intestinal infection.
Interesting! Initially, the two diseases were not different. One diagnosis was made, since the pathologies are similar to each other and together cause an infection in the human intestine.
Norovirus infection
In a short time it can cause an epidemic.
Routes of transmission of norovirus:
- eating unwashed vegetables and fruits;
- water that contains the causative agent of the disease;
- everyday life (unwashed hands, contact with an infected person, common objects).
It is necessary to understand that such an infection is very dangerous and has easy ways of entering the human body. Eating unwashed foods, drinking water from contaminated sources, contact with a sick person - all this can lead to rapid infection. You need to be extremely careful and know how this disease manifests itself.
Signs of norovirus infection:
- nausea, profuse vomiting, intense diarrhea, high body temperature;
- muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness.
The disease manifests itself within 2–4 days, and can be accompanied by all symptoms or exclusively by vomiting and diarrhea. It is worth noting that after a few days the disease subsides.
Important! After an infection, the human body develops resistance against norovirus. Immunity to the disease lasts no more than 8–9 weeks, after which the threat of contracting a dangerous disease again appears.
If norovirus occurs mainly in the warm season, then rotavirus infection affects the body in the cold season (from November to April). It is also called intestinal flu. In adults, the disease is mild and does not cause any particular inconvenience. This pathology is transient and is quickly transmitted by contact.
Rotovirus infection
Stages of rotavirus infection:
- Incubation period. The causative agent of the disease can remain dormant in the human body for about 5 days.
- Acute course of the pathology. At this time, the infection begins to manifest itself (vomiting, fever, diarrhea, painful abdominal cramps). A peculiarity of the course of the disease is that the patient experiences flu-like symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough), but this rarely happens in adults; these manifestations mainly affect children. The entire period lasts from 4 to 8 days.
- The recovery stage of the body.
Rotovirus infection in adults can occur without obvious manifestations. A person may not feel a particular deterioration in their condition, but at this time they can infect others around them. It also happens that the disease gains momentum and reaches moderate (vomiting, frequent diarrhea, fever) and severe (low blood pressure, intense diarrhea up to 20 or more times a day, dehydration) forms. If the condition worsens, urgent hospitalization is required.
Causes of intestinal infection in adults
There are a lot of factors that lead to the development of the disease. It should be understood that the reason is not only bacteria. This is a specific disease that depends on many pathogens.
The main causes of intestinal infection:
- Poisoning of the body through pathogens: staphylococcus, dysentery bacillus, salmonella, cholera vibrio (the most contagious), typhoid bacillus.
- Food intoxication of the body. This includes botulism. Products that pose a risk of infection include raw eggs, unwashed vegetables and dairy products.
With a bacterial infection, the source of the disease is people. They may simply be carriers of viruses, or they may be ill with obvious/hidden signs of pathology.
Microbes leave the body in feces, vomit, saliva, and urine. It is difficult to say how long the period during which one can become infected with such a disease lasts. It is different for each infection. On average, it begins with the first symptoms and ends several weeks after the patient has recovered.
Important! The body does not develop immunity to intestinal diseases. The likelihood of a new infection after some time remains very high.
You can become infected from a sick person by shaking hands, as well as by using common household objects (door handles, toilet seats, dishes, etc.) if you do not wash your hands after contact. Therefore, personal hygiene should be paramount.
Swimming in the sea or open water also carries the risk of contracting intestinal infections. Since there is no certainty that there was no infected person there. Accidentally ingesting infected water is the shortest path to illness. If you are poisoned by sea water, you should try to drink more fluids and eat as little as possible (only easily digestible foods).
Before the doctor arrives, you need to know what to do and how to help the patient if nausea, chills and diarrhea occur.
First aid measures:
- provide the patient with bed rest, placing vomit containers nearby;
- try to cleanse the intestines (you need to chop up a weak manganese solution and try to drink it, then induce vomiting);
- constantly give the patient something to drink (chamomile decoction, weak tea) to prevent dehydration;
- To remove toxins, you can give the patient Microsorb, Polyphepan.
Such measures will prevent the condition from worsening before the doctor arrives, and will help alleviate the symptoms of the disease.
Traditional treatment of intestinal infections
In acute cases of the disease, hospitalization is extremely necessary. To find out how to treat, the doctor must conduct a comprehensive examination, questioning (to determine the cause of poisoning of the body), and prescribe certain tests. For an accurate diagnosis, feces, urine, vomit, and water, which is collected after intestinal lavage, are examined. Only after identifying the cause of the disease is treatment prescribed.
Therapy is usually aimed at neutralizing harmful bacteria, restoring water balance in the body and eliminating toxins. Gastric lavage is required and vomiting is induced. This helps cleanse the body of harmful substances.
During treatment, sorbents are prescribed (Attapulgite, Smecta, Polyphepan). These drugs are aimed at neutralizing toxins and removing them.
Diet
Diet is very important during therapy. The patient should be explained what he can eat, and he should follow the doctor’s instructions exactly. Rice and wheat porridge, prepared without salt, have a calming effect on irritated intestines.
Nutrition rules during treatment:
- You should exclude salty, fatty, spicy and smoked foods from the menu. It is not recommended to take fermented milk products at this time.
- Thermal treatment - it is better to steam, puree, and boil food.
- Eating protein-rich foods (chicken, rabbit, red fish, rice porridge, wheat bread).
- Eat warm food in small portions several times a day.
- Reducing the daily diet by 20% (the first days of illness). In acute forms, food intake should be limited by half.
Important! During the treatment of intestinal disease, fasting and a large amount of liquid (dried fruit compotes, chamomile teas, rose hip decoction) are useful. This will cleanse the body and reduce the risk of recurrence of the disease.
In complex therapy, a solution of rehydron is used. With its help you can restore electrolyte balance. The solution should be taken several sips once every 15–20 minutes.
It is worth noting that weakness often manifests itself in a person after an intestinal infection. This is explained by the fact that the body was weakened by the disease, medications and bed rest. To recover from an infection, you need to know what you can eat. Since the main factor here is diet after illness.
Nutrition in the first few weeks after an illness differs little from the diet during illness. The only thing is that you can increase the dose of food intake. It is also necessary to give preference to home-cooked food and give up processed foods and snacks on the go. Water should be boiled before use, and fruits and vegetables should be heat treated.
Hygiene is an important factor. After every trip outside, you should wash your hands with soap, several times, and always before eating.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics in treatment are prescribed when the disease is acute and the symptoms are pronounced. It is not recommended to take antibacterial drugs in the initial stages of infection, as they negatively affect the normal functioning of the intestines and can harm its microflora.
Self-medication with antibiotics is highly undesirable. They can only be prescribed by a specialist. The most common and safe antibacterial drugs are Linex and Lactobacterin.
Treatment with folk remedies
Complex treatment of the disease includes not only conservative therapy, but also the use of folk remedies. They complement each other and increase the effectiveness of treatment.
St. John's wort for intestinal infections
2 tbsp. l. Brew chopped herbs in two glasses of boiling water and leave in a steam bath for about 30 minutes. Strain the broth, add water to the initial amount, and take a third of a glass half an hour before meals.
Oak bark decoction
You need to boil 1 liter of water, add 50 g of crushed oak bark to it, and simmer everything over low heat for about 30 minutes. It is recommended to drink this decoction at least 5-6 times a day.
Herbal tea against intestinal infection
It is necessary to combine the root of the cinquefoil and nettle, add crushed alder cones (green). All components must be in equal quantities (2 tbsp each). Mix everything well and cook in 0.5 liters of water in a water bath for about 10 minutes. The finished liquid must be filtered and cooled. Take a decoction of 0.5 tbsp. before meals, and in the same proportion after meals.
Using these recipes will not only alleviate the symptoms of the disease, but will also help get rid of diarrhea, bloating, and vomiting. Herbs have an anti-inflammatory and astringent effect.
Intestinal infection is a very insidious and dangerous disease. It can lie in wait for a person on the street, at sea, in everyday life. The pathology affects children, adults and the elderly. You can’t guess where to expect it, but there are ways to warn yourself.
Intestinal infections are a group of diseases that are united by a single route of transmission of the causative agent of the disease, as well as its localization in the body - the intestines.
The causative agents of intestinal infections can remain outside the intestines for a long time. Getting out with feces, pathogenic bacteria remain in the water or soil and, under certain conditions, penetrate the body of a new “host”.
Infection usually occurs through consumption of unwashed vegetables, fruits, berries, or poor-quality food or water.
Since the main living environment of pathogenic bacteria is the intestines, the first sign of such diseases is diarrhea, and therefore, WHO classifies all infections of this type as diarrheal diseases.
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code
A00-A09 Intestinal infections
Statistics
According to the World Health Organization, intestinal infections cause the death of more than two million people worldwide every year, most of them children. Diseases of this group are widespread and in some countries, child mortality from intestinal infections accounts for up to 70% of the total mortality of children under 5 years of age.
Epidemiology
As already mentioned, intestinal infections spread from patients or carriers of dangerous bacteria to healthy people. An infected person is dangerous from the onset of the disease; as the condition improves, the infectiousness decreases, however, in some cases, a person can remain dangerous for a long time.
Studies have proven that the release of pathogenic bacteria can remain even after recovery, which occurs due to pathological processes in the intestines. When a person stops spreading the infection can only be determined after a bacteriological examination.
Patients with erased forms are of great importance in the spread of infection, since such people are not diagnosed and they continue to be in groups, spreading dangerous bacteria.
Also, young children who do not yet have basic hygiene skills and suffer from advanced forms of intestinal infections can easily infect the external environment and objects.
To newborn children, the disease is often transmitted from the mother.
Carriers of pathogenic bacteria are quite rare, however, such people also contribute to the spread of infection.
Of all types of intestinal infections, salmonellosis can be distinguished, since animals are also involved in its spread. Most often, the disease is transmitted from domestic animals (cows, dogs, cats, horses, etc.), as well as from rodents.
Birds, especially waterfowl, are considered the main source of infection. Salmonella bacteria are present not only in the organs, as in most animals, but also in the shell and contents of eggs. At the same time, birds remain carriers of dangerous bacteria longer, unlike animals.
Intestinal infection can occur either individually or in the form of epidemic outbreaks, and the disease can reach large-scale proportions, for example, as is the case with cholera. In the summer-autumn period, a high level of most intestinal infections is observed; in the winter, the level of viral diarrhea increases.
Causes of intestinal infection
Intestinal infections begin to develop when a pathogen enters the body (intestines). As already mentioned, the infectious agent can enter the body by drinking contaminated water (from the tap, spring water, etc.), as well as with unwashed vegetables, fruits, etc.
Pathogenic microorganisms actively multiply outside the body, especially in warm and humid conditions. A great danger in this regard are products that are stored outside the refrigerator, especially meat and dairy products.
In the summer, intestinal diseases pose a great danger, since in the heat food spoils faster, especially meat and fish, and various insects can carry the infection from contaminated feces. Incubation period of intestinal infection
The incubation period is the period from the moment pathogenic microorganisms enter the intestines until the first symptoms of the disease appear. In other words, this is a latent period of the disease, when infection has already occurred, but there are no signs of illness.
Gastrointestinal infections most often appear 12 to 36 hours after infection; in some cases, the latent period can last up to 12 days.
There are three main transmission routes for intestinal infections: through food, water and household contact.
Most often, intestinal infection is transmitted through food contaminated with microorganisms or that has undergone insufficient thermal and hygienic treatment. The source of the disease can be both people and animals (large and small livestock, poultry, rodents, etc.). From the carrier, the infection can get into milk (dairy products), eggs, fruits, and vegetables.
Waterborne disease transmission is slightly less common. Infection mainly occurs when drinking low-quality water. This usually happens as a result of ruptured water or sewer pipes.
Through household contact, the infection can spread from the carrier through dirty hands or various objects (towels, toys).
Causative agents of intestinal infections are pathogenic bacteria that enter the environment with feces and contaminate food or water. There are also bacteria that are excreted in urine or vomit, such as foodborne illness bacteria or cholera.
The main source of spread of infection is the infected person or the carrier of the pathogenic infection. A bacteria carrier is an almost healthy person whose body contains pathogenic microorganisms that are released into the external environment.
Typically, carriers of the infection are people with weakened immune systems, who have had an intestinal infection, as well as chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or gall bladder.
Healthy people can also spread infections when pathogenic microbes have entered their body, but have taken root in it and do not harm their “host”.
Feces containing pathogens can become a source of infection. Quite often, the disease spreads through dirty hands and objects - if the hands of a patient or a carrier of infection are contaminated with feces, then everything he touches becomes a source of infection. If a healthy person touches contaminated objects, he can transfer pathogenic bacteria to food and become infected. Therefore, experts urge washing your hands as often as possible, especially after visiting the toilet.
Intestinal infections can spread through toys, handrails on public transport, basket handles in the supermarket, etc.
Symptoms of intestinal infection
The symptoms of intestinal infections depend on the type of pathogen, but there are general signs that can help you understand the cause of poor health: weakness, poor appetite, abdominal pain.
The effect of pathogenic microorganisms in the intestines does not appear immediately; when bacteria or viruses enter the gastrointestinal tract, they undergo an “incubation period”, which can last from 10 to 50 hours.
The appearance of the first signs of the disease depends on the activity of the pathogenic microflora in the body; on average, the first symptoms appear 12 hours after infection.
A slight malaise at the beginning is replaced by severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and frequent loose stools. In addition, the temperature rises, chills, increased sweating and other signs of fever appear, and loss of consciousness is possible.
These symptoms indicate severe intoxication of the body due to the activity of pathogenic bacteria; frequent vomiting and loose stools lead to dehydration of the body, which leads to irreversible consequences (impaired kidney function, changes in the cardiovascular system).
Intestinal infections in childhood and old age can cause death.
Intestinal infection syndrome manifests itself in the form of fever, weakness, pallor of the skin (with some infections against a background of high temperature), decreased blood pressure; in severe cases of the disease, cold hands and feet are observed; in children under one year of age, intoxication can cause neurological disorders.
In addition, diarrhea and vomiting that occur with intestinal infections can lead to dehydration.
Depending on the causative agent of the disease, intestinal infections may temperature rise(37ºС and above).
Some infections occur without a rise in temperature (cholera) or with a slight short-term increase (staphylococcus).
Diarrhea almost always accompanies intestinal infections. After infection, diarrhea may take several hours (with food poisoning) or days (with a bacterial infection) to appear.
Some bacteria can pose a danger to human life, so when the first signs of an intestinal disease appear, you should immediately consult a doctor, especially if the stool is very watery or contains blood.
Acute intestinal infections represent a group of diseases that mainly affect the intestines. The cause of infection is pathogenic bacteria and viruses. In most cases, such diseases provoke severe food poisoning, which is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain.
If symptoms of an acute intestinal infection appear, you should urgently seek medical help and undergo treatment in a hospital.
Course of intestinal infection
Different types of intestinal infections have different symptoms and can occur in different ways, for example, rotavirus infections are mild, causing not only loose stools and vomiting, but also cold symptoms; with dysentery, liquid stool mixed with blood appears; the disease is usually severe, with severe abdominal pain, with salmonellosis, dark green stools.
But in some cases, the causative agent of the infection remains unknown, and doctors indicate in the diagnosis that the etiology of the disease has not been established.
Almost all intestinal infections proceed the same way, where one period of the disease gradually gives way to another:
- incubation period - the time from the onset of infection to the moment the first symptoms appear; this period depends on the individual characteristics of the organism and can take from several hours to several days. At this stage, the first signs of an intestinal infection may be lethargy and fatigue.
- acute period – lasts from 1-2 days to two weeks. This period is characterized by the appearance of diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever.
It is worth noting that some people experience the infection with one main symptom, i.e. only with vomiting or only with diarrhea; the disease can also occur with or without fever.
- recovery period - begins after diarrhea, diarrhea and other signs of the acute stage of the disease stop. Recovery of the body can take a long time (up to several years) if treatment was ineffective or completely absent. During this period, the body is especially susceptible to viruses and bacteria, and there is a high probability of re-infection with an intestinal infection or cold. The course of the disease in the acute and recovery stages depends on the causative agent of the disease, the number of bacteria or viruses that have entered the body, the person’s condition before infection (weakened immunity, concomitant diseases, impaired intestinal microflora, etc.), as well as on timely treatment.
Complications of intestinal infections
If the disease does not have the necessary treatment, then a state of shock may develop, caused by dehydration or waste products of pathogenic flora.
In addition, intestinal infections can provoke inflammation in the abdominal cavity, intestinal bleeding, disruption of intestinal microflora, heart failure, and inflammation of the joints.
Allergy after intestinal infection may result from a reaction of the immune system to bacteria or viruses. This usually appears as a skin rash.
Viral infections can increase intestinal permeability, which increases the risk of developing food allergies in the future.
Allergic reactions can also occur while taking medications, especially after taking antibiotics.
The recovery period after an intestinal infection can take a long time, the functioning of the digestive system is disrupted and it takes some time to restore all functions. To help the body, enzyme preparations that improve digestion, prebiotics and probiotics, which contain beneficial bacteria to normalize the intestinal microflora, are prescribed.
Weakness is one of the symptoms of an intestinal infection. Malaise occurs as a result of the action of toxins that poison the entire body and can persist for some time after the disappearance of the main symptoms of the disease (vomiting, diarrhea, fever). Typically, the recovery period with proper and timely treatment takes several days. Other factors are also important, for example, the state of immunity, dysbiosis, concomitant diseases, which can increase the period of recovery of the body after illness.
Weakness after an infection can be associated with prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, which deprive the body of important nutrients and disrupt metabolic processes.
Vomit often occurs with intestinal infections; it develops due to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and poisoning of the body with microbial toxins.
Vomiting appears in the acute period of the disease; as recovery progresses, this symptom gradually disappears; during the period of recovery of the body, as a rule, vomiting does not bother a person.
The reappearance of a symptom, especially against the background of weakness, fever, diarrhea, may indicate re-development of the disease or a new infection.
Often this situation occurs in a hospital; young children are especially vulnerable because they have poor personal hygiene and come into contact in the hospital with other children who suffer from other infections.
Abdominal pain due to intestinal infection caused by pathogenic microorganisms that have entered and actively multiply in the intestines. Depending on the pathogen, the pain can be of varying intensity and have a different character - aching, spasms, sharp, etc.
After recovery, abdominal pain may persist for some time, which is associated with the consequences of bacterial activity and the restoration of normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Often the pain is accompanied by loose stools (1-2 times a day), which is associated with inadequate functioning of the digestive system after an infection. This condition should not cause concern, but if other symptoms appear (fever, frequent loose stools, nausea, vomiting), you should consult with a doctor.
Diagnosis of intestinal infection
If an intestinal infection is suspected, the doctor first finds out the time of onset of the first symptoms, possible risk factors that could provoke the disease (swimming in reservoirs, poor-quality water, missing food, contact with animals or birds, etc.). Concomitant diseases that could increase the risk of contracting an intestinal infection (alcoholism, HIV, etc.) are also identified.
Symptoms of intestinal infection are inherent in a number of other diseases, so during the initial examination it is impossible to accurately diagnose and additional tests are prescribed (blood, urine, stool, culture) that will help determine the causative agent of the infection and determine an effective course of treatment.
Analysis for intestinal infections is necessary to identify the causative agent of the disease and select an antibiotic that can overcome the infection. Usually, without analysis, the process of treating intestinal infections is protracted, since the drug sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics or other drugs may differ from patient to patient.
As already mentioned, intestinal diseases can be viral or bacterial in nature; based on the symptoms, it is quite difficult to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.
For this reason, tests are important for intestinal infections.
Microbiological analysis of stool identifies the causative agent of intestinal infection. This test is also called culture and is based on examining stool under a microscope followed by culture. Under a microscope, it is not always possible to determine the type of infection, since the sample being studied may contain a small amount of bacteria, so after this, a stool sample is inoculated in a special device that maintains an optimal temperature for bacterial growth. At this stage, when the active growth of bacterial colonies begins, microorganisms inhabiting the intestines are identified.
After a few days, a sample of pure cultures is again examined under a microscope to accurately identify pathogenic bacteria.
If pathogenic microorganisms are detected in the stool, a bacterial sensitivity test to antibacterial drugs is performed. At this stage, various groups of antibiotics are introduced into the bacterial colony and it is noted how quickly and in what quantity the bacteria die after exposure to a particular drug.
The test results indicate the causative agent of the infection and other bacteria found in the intestines, as well as what type of antibiotics the pathogens are sensitive to.
PCR (polymer chain reaction) analysis allows you to determine the type of infection from a small fragment of RNA or DNA of pathogens in any fluid produced by the human body. This test can detect both bacterial and viral infections.
PCR analysis can be quantitative or qualitative. In a quantitative study, the number of pathogenic microorganisms in the stool is identified, while in a qualitative study, the type of infectious agent is identified.
Differential diagnosis
In differential diagnosis, diseases that do not match the symptoms are excluded, which ultimately makes it possible to diagnose one possible disease.
There are various systems and programs that carry out differential diagnosis, both complete and partial.
The main, but not the exclusive symptom of intestinal infection is diarrhea; differential diagnosis allows us to eliminate errors and improper treatment.
Before making a diagnosis, the specialist finds out the patient’s age, the nature and frequency of bowel movements, vomiting, the intensity of pain, and seasonality is also taken into account.
How to treat an intestinal infection?
It is impossible to determine the causes of infection either independently or through a visual examination by a specialist. Only laboratory analysis can determine the strain of the bacterium. However, the sooner treatment procedures begin, the sooner relief will occur.
Before starting treatment for an intestinal infection, it is important to establish the cause of the disease in order to exclude the possibility of poisoning of a non-infectious nature (for example, poisonous mushrooms or berries, pesticides, household chemicals). Therefore, it is important to remember what the patient and his loved ones ate, what kind of water they drank, whether they took medications, and whether they came into contact with any chemicals. In the case of an intestinal infection and in case of poisoning with toxic products, the symptoms will be similar: nausea, chills, weakness, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in the stool. In case of infection, the body temperature rises, but in case of poisoning, it usually remains normal.
Intestinal infections can range from relatively harmless to deadly. In the first case, the body’s immunity is able to overcome the bacteria on its own, subject to diet and bed rest. However, an acute intestinal infection can develop rapidly, poisoning the body and destroying its tissues, and in such a situation one cannot do without powerful antibiotics.
In what cases should you urgently call a doctor?
There are many reasons to call an ambulance in case of poisoning:
- if there is poisoning and not an intestinal infection, the symptoms may be: difficulty breathing, muscle stiffness, disturbances in vision, speech and orientation in space, lack of urine;
- the illness is accompanied by profuse watery diarrhea during the day, including bloody diarrhea;
- symptoms are observed in a child under 3 years of age, in a pregnant woman;
- the patient is undergoing cancer treatment, has AIDS, hepatitis, or is a carrier of HIV (in this case, even a mild intestinal infection is deadly);
- signs of dehydration, such as dry mucous membranes, cracked lips, very dark or absent urine, and a baby crying without tears, are not relieved by drinking plenty of fluids;
- the patient's eye whites and skin turned yellow;
- a rash appeared and joints became swollen.
Proper nutrition
Most often, intestinal infections are provoked by dairy products that have been stored in violation of the temperature regime, and food containing raw or half-raw eggs and meat, seafood and fish.
Ready-made meals (soups, cereals and other side dishes) become dangerous after 12 hours if stored at room temperature. Sausage, ham, and smoked meats, even when properly stored, can lead to intestinal infections.
If food has an unpleasant odor, even mild, traces of mold, bubbles or foam, plaque, a strange taste (for example, bitterness or signs of fermentation), it should not be consumed under any circumstances. You need to rinse your mouth thoroughly and take activated charcoal. You should not eat canned food if the lid of the can is swollen or gas is released when opening. Typically, to get an intestinal infection, you need to eat enough spoiled food: a small piece is not harmful to health, but some germs, such as botulism or salmonella, can cause infection even if a person spits out the food.
A big misconception is the belief that boiling makes spoiled food safe. Many bacteria, when multiplying in food, release dangerous toxins that cause poisoning even after the product is sterilized.
Manifestation of the disease
The very first signs of an intestinal infection are nausea and vomiting. They appear a few hours (less often, days) after infection. Very rarely this symptom is absent, but most often it is with this that intestinal infections begin.
The precursors to diarrhea are cramps or cramps in the abdomen. These pains usually accompany the disease until the patient recovers.
Poisoning with toxins produced by microorganisms can cause allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, so the presence of a rash and swelling is a good reason to call an ambulance.
A characteristic feature of an intestinal infection is high fever, chills, weakness, and headache.
Features of therapeutic measures
Intestinal infection in adults is treated as follows: first, the patient must be induced to vomit, and then given 2-3 glasses of warm water to drink. If vomiting continues, you need to drink until the liquid becomes clear, without food residue. Water dilutes stomach acid and makes vomiting less painful. With a mild intestinal infection, after these measures the patient’s well-being improves significantly, and in 2-3 days he can fully recover. During this period, you need to eat light carbohydrate puree foods and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. To restore the water-salt balance and blood glucose levels, you can take special powders that can be bought at the pharmacy, or a prepared solution of salt and sugar (for 1 liter of water, 1 teaspoon of salt and 5 teaspoons of sugar).
You should not drink juices from sweet fruits and carbonated drinks because of their irritating effect on the mucous membranes. Coffee and tea increase dehydration, so it is better to avoid them not only during illness, but also for the entire recovery period. Alcohol, including alcohol-based medications, is strictly prohibited. Diarrhea and vomiting severely dehydrate the body, and the effectiveness of treatment depends on how long this condition lasts.
When treating an intestinal infection, it is necessary to exclude the following foods from the diet:
- any heavy fatty foods, foods containing raw eggs, fish and seafood;
- milk and fermented milk products, cheese;
- baked goods, sweets, fruits;
- delicacies and exotic products.
At the beginning of the disease, the patient may completely refuse food. There is nothing wrong with this, provided he drinks enough fluids.
There are medications that help eliminate the symptoms of intestinal infection (cramps, abdominal cramps, diarrhea), but you need to keep in mind that they do not eliminate the cause and may even worsen the disease. After all, vomiting and diarrhea are a protective reaction of the body trying to get rid of pathogens. Therefore, it is advisable not to take any medications without a doctor’s prescription. An exception is activated charcoal, which will help the body remove toxins faster.
In case of severe vomiting, antiemetic drugs can be prescribed, but this is only when treating an intestinal infection in a hospital.
For diarrhea, Loperamide can be used, but only if the patient's condition is satisfactory at the end of the illness (for example, when the patient is unable to stay at home). It is not used to treat dangerous infections, as it makes it difficult to cleanse the body of toxins.
Despite the fact that at the very beginning of the disease it is impossible to determine which microorganism caused it, intestinal infections are most often treated with antibiotics. It is desirable that this be a broad-spectrum drug of the latest generation, since patients sometimes suffer even more from complications caused by an incorrectly selected drug than from the infection itself. Therefore, antibiotics must be prescribed by doctors and taken strictly according to instructions.
It is not advisable to take antipyretics for intestinal infections without medical supervision. It is necessary to bring down the temperature only if the fever is poorly tolerated by the patient. If an intestinal infection occurs without an increase in temperature, then either the diagnosis is incorrect and non-infectious food poisoning occurs, or the patient’s immune system is weakened and the body does not fight the infection.
As a rule, the temperature does not last longer than 2 days, but if it does not subside or even rises, you should seek medical help.
Therapy in children and pregnant women
To avoid complications and dangerous consequences, you need to consult a gastroenterologist for help as soon as possible.
Children suffer from intestinal infections much harder than adults. This is due to the fact that their poorly formed immunity is not yet able to cope with pathogenic microorganisms. If signs of the disease are observed in a child under 3 years of age, you must call an ambulance. But this does not mean that for older children there is no need to call a doctor - medical control for intestinal infections is necessary for children of any age. In general, the treatment approach is the same as for infection in adults.
During pregnancy, any signs of an intestinal infection should be reported to your doctor. Self-medication can lead to unpredictable consequences, and how to treat an intestinal infection during this period should be decided by a competent doctor.
Preventive measures
To minimize the risk of contracting pathogens, you should make it a habit to thoroughly wash your hands regularly throughout the day and properly handle and store food. Cooked food should be put into the refrigerator immediately after cooling; food cannot be defrosted at room temperature. It is better to avoid eating eggs, seafood and fish that have not undergone heat treatment.
Fruits, vegetables, berries, mushrooms and herbs should be thoroughly washed with plenty of warm running water and wiped dry with a clean napkin. It is better to consume dairy products immediately after opening the package, and monitor expiration dates and storage conditions. Even if there are slight signs that food has spoiled, it is better to throw it away. Do not under any circumstances consume canned goods purchased second-hand.
Water, if in doubt, must be boiled. When traveling to exotic countries, you can only drink bottled water from well-known brands.
For pregnant women, prevention of poisoning and infection is especially important. It is advisable to restrain your gastronomic whims: for example, some during pregnancy want to eat raw minced meat or exotic fruits.
From a very early age, children should be taught to wash their hands after visiting the toilet, when returning from the street, with visible contamination, and every time before eating. The child needs to form the habit of washing fruits, vegetables, berries, and herbs before eating. It is important that children understand that food cannot be taken from strangers; parents should control any gifts and edible gifts brought by guests.
If there is a small child in the family, then it is necessary to have in the first aid kit powder for preparing a solution against dehydration and a supply of activated carbon. Treatment of intestinal infection should begin immediately after the first symptoms appear.
In total, more than 30 infectious diseases are known, primarily affecting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). There is a group of almost conquered infectious diseases: cholera, typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever. The number of food poisonings that contain bacterial toxins remains high.
Common intestinal infections:
- Viral: rotavirus, adenovirus and other viral enteritis.
- Bacterial: salmonellosis, dysentery, escherichiosis, yersiniosis, campylobacteriosis.
- Protozoans: amoebic dysentery and appendicitis, giardiasis.
Viruses and bacteria enter the external environment from the patient through feces and vomit. In addition, the source of infection is healthy carriers that secrete pathogenic microbes. Infectious agents are transmitted through dirty hands, food, water, and are carried by insects and rodents. Acute intestinal infections are more common in the warm season, when there are more temptations to drink unboiled water or unpasteurized milk, or try unwashed berries and fruits.
Important! Staphylococci, E. coli, amoebas and other opportunistic intestinal inhabitants can become more aggressive, for example, with uncontrolled use of antibiotics.
Microbes cause diseases that occur as acute gastritis - with stomach pain and vomiting. Symptoms of gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea), enteritis (frequent bowel movements), colitis (stool disorders and blood in the feces), enterocolitis, which is characterized by damage to all parts of the intestine, appear.
Not all strains of E. coli are causative agents of the disease, only enteropathogenic ones that produce toxins. Infection occurs through food that has been exposed to bacteria released by sick people. The body loses a large amount of fluid as a result of toxin poisoning. Death can occur due to severe dehydration or as a result of complications. Treatment of complicated forms is carried out in a hospital, where the patient is prescribed injections and drips.
The bacterium Helicobacter pylori affects different parts of the stomach. When eating contaminated food, a person can develop acute gastritis. Almost 2/3 of the population is carriers of H. pylori, but not everyone exhibits symptoms of the disease. necessary as soon as possible. According to one scientific theory, bacteria cause stomach ulcers. If a person frequently takes antibiotics, this increases the risk of developing aggressive strains of H. pylori.
How to act at the first symptoms of an intestinal infection?
The incubation time of the pathogen is 6–12 hours, in some cases it takes up to 2 days. Toxins released by pathogens cause inflammation in the intestines with fever. Some infections are characterized by a predominance of nausea and repeated vomiting, while others are characterized by persistent diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The stool may contain mucus, greens, and streaks of blood.
Caused by a bacterial infection or intestinal amoeba, the same as for other causes of acute inflammation of the appendix of the rectum. Abdominal pain occurs above or below the navel, nausea, and vomiting. The disease is dangerous due to perforation of the walls, after which the contents of the intestine enter the abdominal cavity. This can lead to peritonitis, bleeding, and sepsis.
You need to call a doctor at home. Before the specialist arrives, you need to do the following:
- Put a sick child to bed, preferably in a separate room.
- It is advisable for the patient to drink 1 liter of water and induce vomiting to wash the stomach.
- If the patient is shivering, cover him with a blanket or blanket.
- Offer warm tea and give Regidron solution to drink to restore fluid loss.
No-shpa tablets help with spasms and pain. Immediately before arrival, doctors do not give antispasmodic and painkillers. They influence the manifestations of the disease, which are very important for correct diagnosis and treatment.
With vomiting and diarrhea, a lot of fluid is lost, which leads to dehydration. This condition is especially dangerous for children. If you do nothing and do not treat the patient, then the functions of the intestines and the entire gastrointestinal tract are disrupted. It should be noted that in pregnant women, intestinal infections and dehydration negatively affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system and kidneys.
It is relatively easy to cope with gastrointestinal diseases caused by staphylococcus, E. coli, and viruses. Vibrio cholera, typhoid bacilli, and salmonella pose a great danger. If the patient is not provided with timely medical care, death is possible.
Drugs for the treatment of intestinal infections
Therapy should be comprehensive, including the fight against pathogens and released toxins, and replenishment of fluid losses. Specialists, when it comes to how long to treat an infectious disease, are guided by the nature of the pathogen and the properties of the medications used.
Antibacterial agents
Antibiotics are used to destroy harmful bacteria: penicillins, azalides, cephalosporins. If Azithromycin is prescribed, the course of therapy cannot be shorter than 3 days. Levomycetin should be taken for at least 8 days, Ampicillin - from 5 to 14 days. Take medications from this group only as prescribed by a doctor.
Antidiarrheal medications
Metabolic products, toxins of bacteria and viruses, along with vomit and stool, are eliminated from the body. Antidiarrheals such as Loperamide artificially suppress this process. Therefore, in some cases, fighting diarrhea is harmful. On the contrary, you should rinse the intestines and remove toxins with an enema. Only as part of the complex treatment of acute diarrhea of infectious origin, chewable Diara tablets based on Loperamide are used.
Rehydrating salt solutions
Dehydration or dehydration is accompanied by inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Oral rehydration products will help replenish lost water and electrolytes. Patients need to follow a diet and take medications that restore normal intestinal microflora.
How to take Regidron salt remedy for diarrhea:
- Dissolve the contents of 1 sachet of powder in 1 liter of freshly boiled and cooled water.
- Drink 50–100 ml of this liquid every 5 minutes.
- Daily dose: for mild diarrhea - 50 ml, for moderate diarrhea - up to 100 ml per 1 kg of patient body weight.
Analogues of Regidron in composition are rehydrating preparations for children and adults Hydrovit and Hydrovit forte (for oral administration). Such liquids quickly replace water and minerals lost by the body and can be used at home in the early stages of the disease. Much more solutions are produced for infusions and intravenous injections containing electrolytes and dextrose.
Intestinal sorbents
Drugs in this group bind and remove pathogenic bacteria and various toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract. The products Enterosgel, Polysorb MP, Smecta, in addition to the sorption effect, create a film on the surface of the inner wall of the intestine that prevents the attachment of microbes. The release form, methods of administration and dosage of the drugs differ. The dose is usually calculated taking into account the body weight and age of the patient.
Intestinal antiseptics
The drug Sangviritrin is taken for salmonellosis, dysentery, and foodborne toxic infections. This herbal product has a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Available in the form of tablets that dissolve in the intestines. Treatment of bacterial diarrhea with Enterofuril lasts no more than 7 days. There are two forms of release: capsules and oral suspension.
Probiotics
Drugs in this group restore normal microflora disturbed as a result of the inflammatory process in the gastrointestinal tract. Almost all intestinal infections cause it. They take dietary supplements that contain cultures of beneficial bacteria: Narine, Vitabs Bio, Normoflorin. The drugs Sporobacterin and Probifor have an antidiarrheal effect, normalize intestinal microflora, and are immunomodulators.
Salmonella
Salmonella produces endotoxin, which causes a condition called “food poisoning.” Clinical manifestations are very varied, as are complications of the disease. may differ between children and adults. Infants and elderly people are usually hospitalized with salmonellosis.
The target of bacteria is the mucous membrane of the small intestine. The disease is accompanied by fever, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and loose stools. If treatment is started on time, salmonellosis goes away within 10 days.
- antibiotics;
- rehydration solutions;
- intestinal sorbents for removing toxins;
- probiotics to restore the balance of intestinal microflora;
- diet and vitamin therapy.
Possible complications of salmonellosis: infectious shock, acute renal failure. Most often, dysbacteriosis occurs against the background of inadequate therapy.
Viral enteritis
Viruses are no less likely than bacteria to cause intestinal inflammation. Enteritis of viral origin is more familiar to many under the name “intestinal flu”. The mode of transmission of the pathogen is fecal-oral. One of the main features of a viral infection is its high contagiousness (infectiousness). Therefore, epidemic outbreaks of infectious enteritis often occur.
The most common pathogens of the disease:
- rotavirus (almost half of all cases of viral enteritis);
- intestinal adenovirus;
- coronavirus;
- enterovirus;
- astrovirus;
- norovirus.
Rotavirus infection in adults may be asymptomatic or accompanied by vomiting, flatulence and watery diarrhea. The incubation period of the pathogen is short - from 1 to 3 days. Uncomplicated rotavirus intestinal infection resolves within 5–8 days.
The disease in children can be recognized by the classic triad of symptoms: fever, vomiting and watery diarrhea. Cough occurs more often in infants. Symptoms intensify over the course of a week, then gradually disappear. The danger for babies is prolonged diarrhea, the development of dehydration and malabsorption syndrome.
On a note:
- To prevent the disease, infants are given the Rototec vaccine orally.
- In case of complications, children are treated in hospital for intoxication and dehydration.
- There is no specific treatment for viral enteritis.
- The risk of transmission of infection persists from 8 to 10 days.
It is necessary from the very beginning to give the patient a sufficient amount of liquid in small portions, saline solutions Hydrovit or Regidron. For infants, rehydrating agents are added to expressed breast milk or formula for artificial feeding. A solution of ½ tsp can serve as a replacement for Regidron and Hydrovit. table salt, ½ tsp. baking soda, 4 tbsp. l. sugar in 1 liter of boiled water (chilled).
Symptomatic treatment of rotavirus infection:
- drugs Smecta, Polysorb MP, Activated Carbon to reduce intoxication;
- antipyretic syrups/tablets Ibuprofen or Paracetamol;
- No-shpa tablets for abdominal cramps;
- antiemetic drugs.
Important! Viral diseases are not treated with antibiotics. The antimicrobial drug Enterofuril is prescribed to prevent bacterial superinfection.
Intestinal sorbents are taken to speed up the elimination of toxic substances from the body. Polysorb MP powder must be mixed with water and only taken orally in this form. This intestinal sorbent can be taken by pregnant women and young children. The dosage is determined depending on the patient’s body weight. Accurate adherence to the recommendations helps to quickly cope with the inflammatory process in the intestines and speed up recovery.
In addition to taking medications, it is imperative to replenish fluid losses due to dehydration and restore the gastrointestinal microflora.
Anton palaznikov
Gastroenterologist, therapist
Work experience more than 7 years.
Professional skills: diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and biliary system.
The long-awaited summer season, the long winter holidays, the enchanting and fragrant spring, the mesmerizing autumn with its abundance of colors and whirlwinds of leaf fall can fade in the eyes of a loving mother because her baby is sick. According to statistics, one of the most common diseases in young children is a disorder of the digestive tract and intestines due to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into it. Intestinal infection in children is an all-season phenomenon. Adults are also not immune from it, but small children still suffer more often. Why is this happening? Where does this infection even come from? What is its danger? How does the disease affect the baby’s behavior? How to help a child with an intestinal infection? Is it possible to protect yourself from it? Now together we’ll put everything into pieces.
Intestinal infection poses a serious danger to the child's health.
Why and where does an intestinal infection occur in a child?
There are 2 reasons for the occurrence of intestinal infection in people, and both of them are a consequence of the penetration of harmful microorganisms into the body.
In the first case, the disease is caused by intestinal viruses. There are about 10 groups of them. The most famous and common among them are enterovirus, adenovirus and rotavirus intestinal infections. Infants have a very difficult time with it, or as people call it “intestinal flu”.
Detecting a viral infection
The first signs of rotavirus can appear within 24 hours after infection, but more often they appear 3-5 days after the virus enters the body. Symptoms of the disease are acute and obvious:
- rises sharply and strongly (up to 38-39 0);
High temperatures are dangerous for babies.
- occurs several times a day (up to 3-6);
- the general condition of the child is lethargic, apathetic;
- begins often with a pronounced light yellow tint and an unpleasant sour odor;
- redness of the mucous membranes of the eyes and throat occurs.
Enterovirus is more difficult to identify because its symptoms are similar to many other diseases. Along with the manifestations of the disease described when rotavirus occurs, in the case of enterovirus infection the following may be observed:
- fever;
- pain in muscles and head;
During illness, children may experience headaches, drowsiness and apathy.
- inflammatory process in the nasopharynx;
- fear of light (photophobia);
- drowsiness and weakness;
- pain in the heart muscle;
- involuntary lacrimation;
- increased heart rate.
Enteroviruses can cause complications on the heart, central nervous system, muscle and skin apparatus of the child.
Symptoms of adenoviral infection most often manifest themselves as a runny nose and conjunctivitis, but loose stools and lack of appetite can be encountered just as often. These symptoms are a consequence of damage to the baby’s small intestine. Their manifestation can be observed during the acute stage of the disease - about 2-3 days. A child is contagious for 10 days after the first symptoms of any type of viral disease appear.
In order for a child to grow smart and healthy, parents must pay special attention to his development. They will help stimulate brain function and creative activity. Finger games will bring pleasure not only to kids, but also to their parents. The main thing is to work with your child every day.
The sooner you introduce your baby to the world of numbers, the easier it will be for him to add and subtract in the future. You can engage in computational operations from the first days of life; read how to do it correctly.
Differences between a viral stomach infection and a bacterial one
The second causative agent of intestinal infection in young children is bacteria. Bacterial infection is much more commonly known as:
- coli infection;
- salmonellosis and others.
Signs of a bacterial infection are similar to the manifestations of a viral infection - these are the same elevated temperature, but up to 37-38 0 C, vomiting (with viral infections it is always present, and with bacterial ones - in half of the cases), diarrhea (if watery yellow diarrhea is observed with viral infections color, sometimes with foam, then with a bacterial infection it necessarily contains inclusions of mucus, has a greenish tint, sometimes small blood clots are found in the stool - in an advanced form.
Any intestinal infection is accompanied by loose stools.
The most dangerous things for a baby (especially an infant) are high fever and vomiting. Fever can provoke a violation of internal energy metabolism and convulsions, and vomiting can lead to.
Evgeniy Olegovich Komarovsky in his video school says that the best way to determine dehydration in small children at home is an ordinary disposable baby diaper.
How does infection occur?
There are several ways for viruses and bacteria to enter a child’s body:
The source of infection can be not only poorly treated water, but also insects that are direct carriers of the infection - flies that feed on the feces of infected animals or people.
- Water- infection occurs directly through water in reservoirs, wells and due to improper hygienic and sanitation treatment at river water treatment plants.
- Food- the source of the spread of intestinal infections can be poorly washed fruits and vegetables, poorly cooked meat or minced meat, eggs, fish and dairy products, jelly, improperly stored sausages and much more.
Most often in a child intestinal infection occurs in summer. This is facilitated by a warm and humid environment. Bacteria and viruses are not afraid of low temperatures and survive quite successfully at sub-zero thermometer readings, but they still prefer warmth and moisture. Children who have weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infection. The main risk group includes children from six months to 3 years old. During this period of life, the immune system is not yet strong enough, and the level of acidic environment in the stomach, which is a direct protector against harmful microorganisms, is much lower in children than in adults.
An epidemic of intestinal infection breaks out every year in summer at seaside resorts.
The sea coast is an ideal environment for the life of microorganisms that harm us, and if we add to this the inability to qualitatively and fully observe sanitary and hygienic measures on vacation, then an acute intestinal infection will definitely want to “make friends” with you.
How to protect yourself?
Is it possible to avoid contracting any type of intestinal infection? Yes, but only if you strictly follow preventive measures. Prevention of intestinal infection comes down to the following points:
- limit a small child’s visits to crowded places;
- frequently wash the hands of the baby and all relatives;
Cleanliness is the key to health.
- keep the child’s personal items clean (pacifier, bottle, spoon, plate, etc.);
- breastfeed the baby. Breast milk does not protect against intestinal infections, but it significantly reduces the possibility of infection;
- monitor the quality and shelf life of food products;
- thoroughly process food thermally;
- instill in your child the norms and rules of nutrition (do not eat food on the go and do not take it from the table without first asking);
- give the child boiled water;
Pure boiled water prevents dehydration of the body.
- isolate the sick family member from other relatives (if infection has occurred).
Treatment options
What to do if you couldn’t protect yourself from an intestinal infection? First of all, there is no need to self-medicate your child. Incorrect treatment can lead to serious complications, which will take a long and difficult time to fight.
At the first signs of an intestinal infection, call a children's doctor to your home. It is better not to take your child to a medical facility yourself because:
- firstly, he may get worse during the trip;
- secondly, by independently transporting a child infected with coli, you may expose others to the risk of infecting others.
In especially difficult cases, call the ambulance.
Intestinal infections in children must be treated comprehensively. The doctor usually prescribes 4 components of treatment:
First aid from mom
What can be done before the doctor arrives? If your baby has very frequent vomiting and diarrhea, then you should try to prevent your baby from becoming dehydrated. How can I do that? It is necessary to let the child drink, but not in the usual way - as much as he drinks, he will drink as much, but in small, measured portions.
You need to avoid dehydration at all costs!
You can feed the baby with warm boiled water from a spoon, chamomile decoction, or give him a special one. The medicine is available in the form of a packaged powder. A single dose of Regidron should be dissolved in water (necessarily boiled) and the resulting solution should be given to the baby after each loose bowel movement or vomiting at the rate of 10 milliliters per kilogram of body. Before each subsequent drinking, the solution must be shaken. Store the prepared solution in a refrigerator at a temperature no higher than 8 0 C for no more than a day.
Cottage cheese and cream will help restore strength.
After stool normalization, it is allowed to feed the baby with all food groups, but only heat-treated ones. In 2-3 weeks - this is how long the process of complete recovery lasts - the child can go to his usual table.
Nina fully supports diet therapy:
“About 80% of parents experience CI in their child, and I was no exception. At the first signs of the disease, I urgently consulted a doctor, who competently and intelligibly explained the treatment regimen. I knew more or less about it, but I had no idea what to treat my sick child with during the acute period and during the decline of the disease. Fortunately, the doctor had a special nutrition table, written in the form: breakfast - this, lunch - this and dinner - this. Very good thing. If you find one somewhere, be sure to save it - it will greatly help both children and adults in the fight against CI.”
Is immunity developed?
If a baby gets sick with an intestinal infection for the first time, then after the disease ends, his body develops relative immunity. Relative because it is active only against one pathogen - the one that provoked the disease. However, after a dozen or a couple of decades, infection with the same virus can be repeated because by the time they grow up, the level of antibodies acquired in childhood decreases, but the disease will rage with much less force than the first time.
Main points of the article:
- intestinal infection is a predominantly childhood disease;
- pathogens may be of viral or bacterial origin;
- in order to avoid getting sick, you need to follow a simple set of preventive measures;
- a sick person must be isolated from others, since he is a carrier of infection;
- initial treatment and subsequent correction of therapy is carried out only by a doctor;
Don't self-medicate! Strictly follow all doctor's instructions.
- antibiotics in the fight against coli are used in exceptional cases;
- the main task of parents is to prevent dehydration during illness;
- sorbents and electrolytes are the most effective way to fight a microscopic enemy;
- Diet during CI cannot be ignored.
