The so-called intestinal flu, or rotavirus infection, is a very common disease, especially among children. The treatment and symptoms of rotavirus infection depend on the general condition and in many respects on the age and weight of the patient. If for an adult this disease is rarely a danger, then among young children there are quite a few cases of a severe course of this disease. This is due to the fact that children develop dehydration faster, which is the greatest threat in most intestinal disorders. The disease is caused by rotavirus, an RNA-containing virus that parasitizes humans. Animals have similar viruses, but they are not dangerous for humans. Rotavirus infection can occur in different ways: through food, most often through dairy products, and among children, especially young children, the most common way is fecal-oral, when babies touch common toys with dirty hands and then others put them in their mouths . Unlike most other intestinal infections, rotavirus infection is most common in the cold season.
The course, treatment and symptoms of rotavirus infection
The disease develops within a week from the moment of infection, most often, for 2-3 days. The virus infects the cells of the mucous membrane of the upper gastrointestinal tract, which are subsequently replaced by immature and unable to adequately cope with their functions, as a result of which there are signs of rotavirus infection - fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, severe diarrhea. The most characteristic sign of intestinal flu is a characteristic stool of clay consistency without inclusions of blood and mucus with a characteristic odor. There may also be signs of a cold . The main thing at this time is to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment in time, and the symptoms of rotavirus infection will soon become less pronounced.
Treatment, as in most cases of viral infections, is symptomatic, that is, first of all, it is necessary to deal with the consequences of the disease, namely, dehydration and intoxication with the products of the vital activity of viruses. Throughout the entire duration of the disease, it is necessary to follow a strict diet, consisting of clean weak broths, cereals on water (rice should be preferred), dried fruit compote, dried white bread, and dried bread. Be sure to exclude dairy products in any form. After treatment is prescribed and the symptoms of rotavirus infection become less pronounced, oatmeal and buckwheat cereal, vegetable purees, eggs, tea, and chopped boiled meat can be gradually introduced. Do not be afraid to salt foods - salt retains fluid in the body and prevents dehydration. It is advisable to use large quantities of mineral water without gas, it is possible with a large concentration of mineral substances.
Enterosorbents, such as activated carbon, Smecta, Enterosgel, are used to prevent dehydration. In some cases, drugs for pain with dehydration are prescribed, for example, Regidron. Perhaps the use of bacterial drugs like "bifidumbacterin" or "Linex" for the speedy normalization of microflora and intestinal functioning.
Since the disease in some cases recurs after some time, the diet after rotavirus infection should be as sparing as possible and in no case should contain dairy products. Also, for some time, you will have to exclude fried, fatty, spicy, some vegetables, for example, cabbage, legumes, chocolate. Adults will have to give up alcohol for a while.