Gastric flu is a common infectious disease that affects both adults and children alike. The disease is accompanied by catarrhal phenomena and digestive disorders. Despite the fact that most often the infection dies away by itself, you should not refuse medical care.
What is a disease? Pathogen Characterization
In modern medicine, cases of stomach flu in adults and children are quite often recorded. In fact, this disease is not “flu”, nor does it belong to the group of respiratory infections. Its causative agents are rotaviruses, representatives of the Reoviridae family. This virus affects the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, in particular, the stomach and intestines (therefore, the disease is often referred to as "intestinal flu").
In medicine, another term is used to refer to this disease - gastroenteritis. According to statistics, outbreaks of this infection are more often observed in the autumn-winter period, although, of course, infection is possible throughout the year.
What happens in the body after infection?
After entering the body, rotavirus quickly penetrates into the cells of the small intestine - viral particles in these structures of the digestive tract can be detected within half an hour after infection. The vital activity of the pathogen violates the natural structure and functioning of the intestinal mucosa.
In turn, such processes affect the synthesis of digestive enzymes that break down complex carbohydrates. In the small intestine, undigested sugars accumulate, which bind and hold the fluid inside - which is why stomach flu is accompanied by the appearance of diarrhea and other disorders.
How is the infection transmitted? Risk factors
The source of pathogenic organisms is a sick person. Viral particles enter the body through the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. There are several transmission routes:
- Viral particles can enter the body along with unwashed vegetables and fruits, stitched or low-quality food. The causative agent can also spread through running water.
- The virus is excreted from the human body along with vomit and feces. Gastric flu belongs to the group of “dirty hands diseases”.
- Airborne transmission is also possible. The infection can be caught during a conversation or close contact with a sick person, since viral particles are released from his body during coughing, sneezing.
- The contact-household way of spreading the infection cannot be ruled out. The disease can be picked up in public places, for example, in schools, kindergartens, shops, offices, etc.
It is worth noting that these viruses are very resistant to environmental influences. The infection dies when treated with chlorine and some other antiseptics, as well as when heated to 70-80 degrees. Keep in mind that you can catch the infection in a polluted body of water, as well as in a sauna or public pool (provided that workers do not carry out proper disinfection).
Gastric flu: symptoms, clinical features
As already mentioned, viral particles enter the body through the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. The incubation period in most cases lasts no more than a day, although sometimes the first symptoms appear after 4-5 days.
- The disease begins acutely. General malaise, weakness, headache appear. Patients complain of body aches. Sometimes rumbling and abdominal pain is observed.
- In the list of symptoms of gastric flu in children, you can add an increase in body temperature to 39, and sometimes up to 40 degrees Celsius. In adults, fever is much less common.
- Catarrhal phenomena are possible. Patients have a runny nose, they are concerned about a burning sensation in the nose, sore throat, and sometimes coughing.
- The main symptom is diarrhea. Sometimes defecation is carried out several tens of times a day. The stool of the patient is foamy, mushy, yellow or greenish-yellow.
- There are other disorders of the digestive system. In particular, many patients suffer from pain and rumbling in the abdomen, severe nausea, which turns into vomiting.
- Some patients develop secondary lactase deficiency. The use of dairy products on the background of gastroenteritis leads to aggravation of the above symptoms.
- Prolonged diarrhea and vomiting lead to dehydration. Therefore, patients suffer from weakness, increased fatigue. Dizziness periodically occurs, and in more severe cases, these episodes end with a temporary loss of consciousness.
The acute phase of the disease, as a rule, lasts no more than 5-7 days, after which the symptoms begin to gradually fade. Nevertheless, the patient's body needs a few more days (in severe cases and weeks) to fully recover.
Stages of the development of the disease
Symptoms of stomach flu directly depend on the stage of development. To date, there are four main phases of the development of the disease:
- The incubation period can last from several hours to five days. There are no characteristic symptoms of the disease during this period, but patients sometimes notice worsening of well-being and the appearance of a constant feeling of thirst.
- The catarrhal period lasts from 24 to 48 hours. At this time, nasal congestion appears, a slight runny nose, although these symptoms usually go away quickly.
- Next comes the acute period of gastroenteritis. Digestive disorders are manifested (in particular, abdominal pain and diarrhea), the body temperature rises sharply, a person becomes weak and lethargic.
- The recovery phase is coming. Symptoms begin to gradually disappear, although some lethargy, drowsiness, and rapid fatigue persist for several days.
What complications does the disease lead to?
Treatment of gastric flu in most cases ends successfully - the patient’s body is fully restored. It is even believed that, to some extent, the transferred disease provides temporary partial immunity. For example, it was noticed that the symptoms of stomach flu in adults who suffered rotavirus gastroenteritis in childhood are less pronounced, and the disease itself is much easier to tolerate.
The disease is often associated with dehydration, which is fraught with a lot of complications. There is a likelihood of developing disorders of the circulatory system, up to heart failure. The mortality rate among patients with viral gastroenteritis does not exceed 3%.
Diagnostic measures
In modern medical practice, cases of a disease such as stomach flu are often recorded. Symptoms and treatment in adult patients, features of the clinical picture and therapy among children - this, of course, is important information. But it is worth considering that the disorders that accompany viral gastroenteritis are also characteristic of some other pathologies, in particular, food poisoning, salmonellosis. That is why the diagnostic process is extremely important - to draw up the correct treatment regimen, you need to accurately determine the cause of the inflammatory process in the small intestine.
- First, the gastroenterologist will conduct a general examination, collect information about the presence of certain symptoms, assess the condition of the patients.
- The patient must donate blood for analysis. An increase in the number of leukocytes in blood samples, as well as an increase in ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) confirms the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
- A laboratory study of urine and feces is also being conducted. Such tests help determine the presence of infection, the inflammatory process.
- PCR diagnostics, immunofluorescence - these procedures help to accurately determine the nature and type of pathogen.
- Instrumental diagnostic methods (for example, ultrasound of internal organs, endoscopic examination of the internal surfaces of the stomach and intestines) are used only if there are suspicions that patients have concomitant diseases.
Medication for treating stomach flu in adults and children
Based on the results, the doctor will be able to draw up an effective treatment regimen. Symptoms and treatment of stomach flu are closely related. Therapy for such a disease is aimed only at eliminating the signs and strengthening the immune system.
- First of all, antiviral drugs are prescribed to the patient. Such drugs, as a rule, contain ready-made interferon or substances that stimulate the synthesis of interferon by the immune system. Effective are considered such drugs as Arbidol, Interferon, Remantadin, Viferon, Amiksin.
- As already mentioned, gastroenteritis is accompanied by dehydration. That is why it is important to restore and maintain the natural water-salt balance. An effective medicine in this case is Regidron.
- With severe vomiting, antiemetics are used, in particular, Ondansetron. This drug blocks vomiting reflexes.
- At times, antidiarrheal drugs, in particular, Loperamide, are also included in the treatment regimen. Such drugs, as a rule, reduce the motility of the intestinal walls, while increasing the tone of the anal sphincter.
- With severe symptoms of intoxication, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs are used that help lower body temperature, eliminate pain and weakness. Effective are considered "Paracetamol", "Efferalgan", "Nurofen", "Ibuprofen".
- Antihistamines (Loratadin, Suprastin, Tavegil) help relieve swelling from the mucous membranes and prevent the development of allergic reactions.
- Since stomach flu is often accompanied by a cough, patients are sometimes prescribed Broncholitin, Bromhexine and some other drugs that block cough receptors.
- Sorbents are also used that quickly bind and remove toxic waste products of pathogenic microorganisms from the body. In addition, such drugs help cleanse the intestines, cope with diarrhea and nausea. Effective are Enterosgel, White Coal, Smecta, Neosmectin.
- Sometimes, preparations containing digestive enzymes are included in the treatment regimen. Effective are such funds as Mezim, Creon. Medications help digest and assimilate food faster.
- Sometimes patients are prescribed potassium preparations (Panangin) to improve kidney function.
- During the recovery period, various vitamin complexes are sure to be included in the treatment regimen, which help strengthen the immune system and accelerate the healing process.
- Patients also take drugs such as Linex, Hilak, Bifiform. These drugs help restore normal intestinal microflora, improve the digestive tract.
Is it worth using antibacterial drugs for such a disease? Gastric flu is a viral disease, so taking antibiotics is useless. Such drugs are included in the treatment regimen only if a secondary bacterial infection occurs.
Home remedies
How to treat stomach flu at home? Traditional medicine, of course, offers tools that can cope with the symptoms of gastroenteritis.
- Chamomile decoction is considered effective. A bag of pharmacy chamomile and two tablespoons of dried apricots (can be replaced with raisins) pour a liter of boiling water, cover and let it brew. Drink infusion of 100-200 ml every hour.
- Ginger infusion will help to cope with the symptoms of intoxication and strengthen immunity. It is simple to prepare: two teaspoons of the crushed root of the plant need to be poured with 500 ml of boiling water and let it brew. You need to drink ginger tea 100 ml several times a day.
- Effective are decoctions from the blood of marshmallow and dill herb.
Of course, such decoctions can be used only with the permission of a doctor. Home medicines can only be used as adjuvants - they are not able to replace full-fledged drug therapy.
Proper diet
Treatment of gastric flu necessarily includes the right diet:
- The doctor will probably advise you for a while to refuse sour-milk products, as well as food, which contains milk protein. The fact is that such a diet creates excellent conditions in the intestine for life and reproduction of almost any type of microorganism, including pathogenic ones.
- Since stomach flu is associated with diarrhea and loss of fluid by the body, it is very important to follow the correct drinking regimen. Patients are advised to consume water, compotes, diluted juices, fruit drinks, teas with lemon and raspberries. Drinking should be frequent and plentiful - at least 2 liters per day.
- In the first few days, patients are advised to eat easily digestible food, preferably in grated form - so it is easier and faster to digest.
- As you recover, the diet can be diversified. Nevertheless, fermented milk products must be entered into the menu gradually, starting with kefir and fermented baked milk.
Preventive actions
You already know how to treat stomach flu in adults and children. But it’s much easier to try to prevent infection of the body than to undergo therapy. The rules are simple:
- it is important to observe the rules of personal hygiene, do not forget to wash your hands before eating;
- food should also be thoroughly washed;
- Do not forget about the proper heat treatment of food;
- it is better to drink boiled, filtered water (a small home filter will be enough to clean the liquid);
- the room in which people with gastroenteritis spend time should be cleaned and disinfected daily;
- do not forget about proper nutrition, intake of vitamins, physical activity, stabbing, as a strong immune system will help make the body more resistant to various infections.
Many people are interested in the question of whether there are any vaccinations and other remedies for this disease. Immediately it is worth noting that vaccination against influenza A and B in this case will not help, because stomach flu, in fact, is not flu.
In 2009, several types of vaccines were launched for the prevention of gastric flu. Studies conducted in some countries in Asia and Africa, have proven that the developed tools really help prevent the outbreak of this disease. Nevertheless, mass vaccination against viral gastroenteritis is practiced only in some states - in our pharmacies it is not easy to find this medicine.