Intestinal flu is the “popular” name for viral gastrointestinal pathology. Symptoms of the disease really look like flu. However, instead of the respiratory tract, the virus affects the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, in addition to high fever and general malaise, the patient develops diarrhea and vomiting.
Pathogen
The cause of the disease are pathogens from the Reoviridae family. These are rotaviruses that can be examined under a microscope. They have an almost round shape, studded with peculiar spikes, which are formed from protein molecules. They were first discovered and started studying these bacteria in 1973.
Disease Description
Ordinary flu and intestinal appear against the background of various pathogens. For this reason, the tactics of treating intestinal flu in adults and children are completely different than when they are affected by bacteria in the respiratory tract.
Intestinal flu is often referred to as a gastrointestinal disease. Although Norfolk, adenoviruses, belong to the viruses of the genus Reoviridae, they become pathogens much less often than intestinal bacteria. In world medical practice, tens of millions of cases of this disease are registered annually. Mortality from intestinal flu is about 2%. In our country, intestinal flu occurs in the autumn-winter period, which coincides with the appearance of ordinary flu. The disease is considered childhood, but often adults also get it. In the latter, rotavirus infection is often associated with banal poisoning.
The incubation period of intestinal flu in adults and children is very short - no more than 5 days. To get a rotavirus infection, only 100 bacteria are enough.
Infection pathways
Intestinal flu is also called dirty hand disease. Bacteria can enter the body through unwashed and low-quality food. Tap water can also cause infection. Children can become infected through toys, objects that they use in the sandbox, due to non-compliance with hygiene rules.
However, bacteria can also enter the body by airborne droplets if a sick person sneezes on a healthy person. The contact-household way of infection penetration cannot be excluded. In the hot months of the year, dairy products are a danger.
Disease duration
How long does intestinal flu last in adults? After an incubation period lasting from 16 hours to 5 days, an acute stage occurs. It lasts about 7 days, after which a rapid recovery begins. But while a person is recovering, he remains dangerous to others, as he is a carrier of infection.
Symptom complex
How does intestinal flu occur in adults? It all starts like an ordinary cold: tickles in the throat, headache. But as soon as the incubation period ends, symptoms of indigestion appear. The patient complains of nausea, loose stools, diarrhea, which can last all day. Some people have vomiting, pain in the epigastric region. The characteristic symptoms can also include:
- dry mouth
- apathy
- pressure reduction;
- lethargy;
- lack of urination for a long time.
Against the background of other types of flu, the intestinal type is characterized by a significant increase in body temperature. The temperature in intestinal flu in adults can rise up to 39 degrees. The severity of symptoms and the duration of the course of the disease largely depend on the immune forces of the patient's body and the number of bacteria that enter the body. But the most dangerous concomitant symptom is fluid loss. It is for this reason that most often the disease ends in death.
Diagnostics
How does intestinal flu manifest in adults and what symptoms can distinguish it from other diseases and poisoning?
As a rule, determining the disease is not so difficult. PCR is often prescribed as a refinement analysis. Bacterial inoculation of vomit or feces can distinguish flu from cholera and dysentery.
Distinguishing poisoning from intestinal flu is not too difficult. In case of poisoning, an increase in body temperature is not characteristic. Also, with rotavirus infection, feces are usually painted in a grayish-yellow color, has a clay consistency. Urine may turn dark and have blood impurities.
Therapeutic measures
For any viral disease, the main therapy is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of intoxication and removing bacteria from the body. In fact, symptomatic treatment is carried out, since a remedy that would directly act on the virus has not yet been found.
The second and very important point in the treatment of intestinal flu in adults is the restoration of the water-salt balance. For such purposes, the "Rehydron". The solution is diluted with water and drunk in small portions throughout the day. If there is no "Regidron" at hand, then you can cook it yourself. The following components will be required per liter of water:
- salt –1 tbsp. the spoon;
- sugar - 3 tbsp. spoons;
- baking soda - 0.5 tbsp. spoons.
The patient should drink plenty of fluids. If there is a strong loss of moisture, it is necessary to use salted water. It is not recommended to bring down the temperature if it is not too high. At temperatures up to 39 degrees, more bacteria die. Antibacterial therapy is used only in cases where rotavirus infection has a bacterial nature of origin, in the rest - antibiotic treatment is not only useless, but also harmful. Antibiotics negatively affect the intestinal microflora, killing not only viruses, but also beneficial bacteria. During illness, the patient must be isolated from everyone else.
Antiviral drugs
Antiviral drugs for intestinal flu in adults are designed to increase the body's non-specific immune response, thereby speeding up the healing process. The main drugs include: “Viferon”, “Arbidol”, “Kipferon”.
The effectiveness of the treatment is based on the ability of the active components of antiviral drugs to affect cell membranes and positively affect intestinal epithelial cells.
Relieve intoxication symptoms
For the treatment of intestinal flu in adults, Furazolidone can be used. The drug is used to treat infectious diseases of the digestive tract. However, the medicine can cause mild arousal and increase the body's sensitivity to ethyl alcohol, which can lead to vomiting, so it is not recommended to combine alcohol and Furazolidone. The drug is available in tablet form. The medicine can be prescribed 2-3 tablets 4 times a day, the course of treatment is not more than 10 days. Tablets are recommended not to chew, drink plenty of water.
There is also a medicine for intestinal flu in adults, which is often used - Ersefuril. This is an antimicrobial drug that does not violate the intestinal microflora and prevents the development of bacterial superinfection. The drug is practically not absorbed by the digestive tract, therefore it acts in the intestinal lumen. It is not used during pregnancy and is not recommended for persons with fructose intolerance, sucrose. The drug is prescribed 1 capsule 4 times a day, with a course of no more than 7 days.
Enterofuril may be used in the treatment of intestinal flu. This medicine is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. Active against most gram-positive microorganisms. 2 capsules are prescribed 4 times a day.
Getting rid of diarrhea
Disposal of diarrhea is carried out using medications for intestinal flu in adults: Imodium, Linex, Loperamide and others. Therapeutic measures are primarily aimed at preventing the loss of electrolytes and dehydration. Along with drugs, diet therapy is required. Food should be fractional, with the exception of raw fruits and vegetables. The drugs in this case have a normalizing effect on the functioning of the intestines, they should improve the work of the anal sphincter and reduce the frequency of urge to go to the toilet.
Help with vomiting
Ondansetron is used to relieve symptoms and treat intestinal flu in adults. The drug is used to stop attacks of vomiting and nausea. The drug is not recommended for use in the presence of severe liver pathologies, during lactation and during pregnancy. The medicine is available in the form of a solution for intravenous or intramuscular administration.
The drug “Cerucal” has a similar effect. The active substance is metoclopramide. It is not recommended for use with kidney problems, the presence of epilepsy or convulsive seizures. You can not use the drug if the patient has intestinal obstruction, bronchial asthma. In the first trimester of pregnancy, you can not use "Tserukal", in the second and third - with great care.
Sorbents
Sorbents are prescribed for the absorption of harmful substances: Smecta, Enterosgel, Filtrum, activated carbon. These drugs can speed up the process of removing harmful substances from the body.
In the absence of sorbents in the home medicine cabinet, you can use rice broth. Slime from rice perfectly removes toxins and cleanses the body of harmful bacteria.
Decrease in body temperature
With a significant increase in body temperature, you can not do without antipyretic drugs. Treatment of intestinal flu in adults, namely lowering the temperature, can be carried out with the help of: Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Nimesulide. Medicines have an analgesic effect, can eliminate aches in the joints, which often occurs at elevated body temperature.
You should always remember that antipyretic drugs can adversely affect the stomach. Therefore, it is recommended to take proton pump inhibitors along with them, namely: Nolpazu, Omeprazole.
After withdrawal of symptoms of intoxication
After removing the symptoms of the patient, it is necessary to transfer to a sparing diet. Together with food, you need to use "Festal" or "Creon", that is, medicines containing enzymes that will allow you to digest food that enters the stomach.
First of all, you will have to abandon the use of dairy products, since they contain a huge number of bacteria and contribute to the growth of pathogenic bacteria.
During treatment, you will have to abandon pickles and smoked products. In no case should you use sweets. They contribute to the growth of bacteria. You have to give up alcohol and carbonated drinks, so as not to irritate the intestinal epithelium once again.
All dishes should be easily digestible. It is advisable to cook all the products. Usually, after the acute stage of the patient, they begin to feed with crackers, a light, low-fat broth. The patient can eat rice and oatmeal. It is recommended to drink a decoction of chamomile and green tea. Gradually, the diet for intestinal flu in adults can expand to include new foods:
- diet meat (turkey, rabbit, beef);
- fish of low-fat varieties (pollock, pike perch, pike).
You can eat pasta and cereals, except semolina and wheat. Porridge without fail is boiled exclusively on water. The first dishes can only be made vegetarian. The first week is allowed to eat steamed or boiled vegetables. It is recommended to use cauliflower, zucchini, potatoes and carrots. You can eat baked apples, but not fresh.
On a diet with intestinal flu in adults, it is allowed to eat bread, but not black and not fresh, it is best to eat yesterday’s pastries. You can dry it in the oven before use.
After 2-3 weeks, depending on the state of health, you can enter fresh vegetables and fruits. You can switch to a nutritious diet only after 1.5–2 months. Then you can already start to consume fermented milk products, but in limited quantities. It is best to start with low-fat cottage cheese and non-acid kefir.
Vaccination
In some countries of the world vaccination against rotavirus infection is practiced . However, it should be understood that if a vaccine is given, it will save only one strain of influenza. If another type of infection enters the body, then the person will still get sick.
Pregnancy
Identification of symptoms and treatment of intestinal flu in adults during pregnancy presents certain difficulties. First of all, it is quite difficult to distinguish between the symptoms of the disease and ordinary toxicosis. The treatment in this case is not much different from standard therapy. But it is best for the expectant mother to avoid crowded places and carefully monitor personal hygiene. After all, warning is much easier than treating it later.
If, nevertheless, the woman could not avoid the disease, then it is recommended to use only adsorbents and lactic-containing drugs. They will not harm the baby's health. If there is no diarrhea and vomiting, then it is better not to get involved in water to avoid swelling.
Alternative methods of treatment
Intestinal flu in adults: how to treat at home? By and large, all the recipes that remained from our grandmothers suggest the preparation of decoctions. In addition, they use drugs that make up for a strong loss of fluid.
You can make a compote of dried fruits. In addition, it is recommended to dilute it with chamomile tincture in a ratio of 1: 1. You can add sugar to taste and a little salt.
For treatment, a decoction of St. John's wort is suitable. 250 milliliters of hot water will require 1.5 tbsp. tablespoons of grass. Mix everything and put in a water bath, boil for 30 minutes. After that, the composition is brought to 200 milliliters with boiled water and consumed throughout the day before eating.
You can use swamp mash. One tablespoon of grass must be poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted for 3 hours. After this, strain and take half a glass before each meal.
As a means to dull the gag reflex, you can use the zest of citrus. She needs to be sniffed as soon as she pulls on vomit.
An effective remedy for intestinal flu is a decoction of the root of cyanosis. One tablespoon of roots will require a glass of boiling water. The mixture is boiled over low heat for 30 minutes. After that, the medicine should be taken one tablespoon every two hours. It is not recommended to eat meat products during treatment with cyanosis.
Honey is recommended, as it has a positive effect on the intestinal tract. It can be taken in its pure form, one spoon several times a day.
Possible complications
In fact, if treatment is started on time, then there will be no complications after intestinal flu in adults.
The most dangerous condition is the presence of immunodeficiency in the patient. Regardless of whether immunodeficiency is acquired or congenital without fail, it is necessary to consult a doctor with the first symptoms of intestinal flu.
In addition, in the course of research, it was possible to confirm that intestinal flu can cause the development of the following pathologies:
- erythema of the skin;
- convulsive syndrome;
- inversion of the intestines;
- heart or kidney failure.
Preventive actions
Prevention of intestinal flu in adults should be based on strict hygiene. It is imperative that you wash your hands before eating. If a person often happens in crowded places, it is recommended that you always have antibacterial wipes or gels with you.
Refuse fast foods, do not eat food on the go and on the street. Do not swim in stagnant bodies of water, especially if there are a lot of people. Without fail, before eating fruits and vegetables, they must be thoroughly washed. If a person is sick, then he should not cook for everyone in order to prevent infection of other family members. To avoid this serious ailment, it is necessary to be in the fresh air more often, eat properly and temper.