It would seem that a baby surrounded by almost sterile purity and eating her mother’s milk may show signs of a rotovirus infection? This ailment has another name - dirty hands disease. But where can it come from a newborn who is lying in a crib or is in the hands of loving parents who care about his health?
Causes of Rotavirus Infection
The peculiarity of this disease is that the signs of a rotovirus infection in older children and adults may practically not appear and cause only a slight upset stomach. However, you should know that the contagiousness (contagiousness) of this infection is very high. Should a sister or brother touch the bed with unwashed hands - and now the baby has a rotavirus infection. It can enter the body through contaminated food, water, contact with vomit or feces. Therefore, if there is a sick person in the house, cleaning should be done very carefully. Signs of a rotovirus infection are very common in newborns. Therefore, blaming yourself for negligence is not worth it. However, treatment should be started as early as possible.
Rotovirus infection: signs, treatment
With this disease, catarrhal and intestinal symptoms are combined. First, the baby’s temperature rises, almost immediately to 38-39 º, after which there are sore throats, runny nose, diarrhea and vomiting. Like regular flu, this ailment proceeds rapidly, but quickly. By 3-4 days, the condition of the child should normalize: the temperature will decrease, and vomiting will stop. But the frequent loose stools will remain for at least a week.
Principles of treating a disease
It is very important to observe the drinking regimen, because any intestinal infections primarily provoke dehydration, since with vomiting the child’s body loses a significant amount of liquid and mineral salts. If the baby is breast-fed and does not consume anything other than milk, then during the period of illness it is necessary to offer him additional fluid in between meals. It can be water, compote, herbal tea. The volume of fluid entering the body should equal its loss. After each episode of diarrhea or vomiting, the baby should drink a minimum of 50 ml of liquid. It is recommended that you drink a little (3-5 ml) every 5-10 minutes, because large volumes will not be absorbed. If the child refuses any drink, and vomiting does not stop, then it will require infusion therapy - a dropper.
Drug therapy
Naturally, the first signs of a rotovirus infection are an occasion for immediate medical attention. The most optimal treatment for the disease is a plentiful, if fortified, drink. But the pediatrician can also prescribe medication. First of all, sorbents. With their help, toxins in the intestine are absorbed, and diarrhea gradually stops. If the baby is hard to suck due to a runny nose, then vasoconstrictive drops for babies will be required. The disease will pass away as soon as protective antibodies are developed in the crumb body. Therefore, antibiotics will not help here. They are prescribed only if there is a suspicion of a bacterial infection.
During the period of illness, the child especially needs mom's attention and love. It is necessary as often as possible to take the baby in your arms, gently communicate and distract from unpleasant sensations. Caring in combination with properly organized treatment will do the job, and the baby will recover very soon.