Toddlers of preschool age have always been at risk for many diseases. A weak body and overly active behavior make them vulnerable to various viral diseases. And one of them is a rotovirus intestinal infection in children, the treatment of which is aimed more at eliminating the symptoms and consequences than fighting the pathogen.
So what is rotavirus infection?
The “culprit” of the disease is a virus belonging to the family of Reoviridae, of the genus Rotavirus, which entered the human body with food, water or a contact-household method. Of the 9 types of rotaviruses, separated by antigenic properties, 6 are pathogenic for humans, the remaining three affect only animals.
The incubation period of the disease is 2-3 days, but in a child it can last no more than 12 hours. Actively multiplying and accumulating in the epithelium of the oral cavity, the virus "sinks" into the small intestine and destroys its mature cells. The consequence of this effect is a violation of the ability of the digestive system to absorb nutrients and carbohydrates, which are then undigested into the large intestine, causing an increase in osmotic pressure. That is why a
rotovirus intestinal infection in children involves treatment aimed at preventing dehydration of the patient.
Risk groups for rotavirus infection
Due to its stability in the external environment, anyone can “catch” rotavirus, regardless of age or gender. However, in an adult with a stable immune system, the disease can occur with mild symptoms, characteristic upset stomach or even without them. Also, according to the statistics of pediatricians, rotovirus intestinal infection in infants is very rare, since during the first 12 months of life, immunity from the mother acts. The main risk group is the age category of preschool children and primary school children.
Symptoms of the disease
Rotavirus infection got its second name “intestinal flu” because in most cases the first symptoms of the disease are inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and an increase in the body temperature of the child. Incorrectly diagnosing the disease and not knowing that rotovirus intestinal infection manifests itself in children, mothers begin treatment of their children, as in the usual ARI. A couple of hours after the first symptoms appear, the child begins repeated repeated vomiting and diarrhea. The baby, actively losing fluid, becomes lethargic and drowsy. This painful condition can also be accompanied by a dry, frequent cough, which provokes additional bouts of vomiting.
How to treat intestinal flu
This disease is diagnosed in an inpatient setting, where, in principle, doctors recommend it. As a rule, in a medical institution, a child is prescribed antibiotic therapy (which, in principle, is not needed, since rotavirus is not sensitive to it) in combination with drugs to restore the body's water balance. Most often in hospitals give third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics, which have a good bactericidal effect. For example, the drug "Ceftriaxone" or its more expensive analogues, such as the drug "Lorakson" and others, is used. For the treatment of diarrhea and prevention of secondary infection, the drug Nifuroxacid is used. If a child with rotavirus has repeated and profuse vomiting, the baby will be given an injection of Cerucal, which can be repeated after a couple of hours. Depending on the weight of the patient, the attending physician will prescribe the dosage and medication Smecta or Enterol, which will help cope with diarrhea. Starting from the first minutes of treatment, one should not forget that the child is losing a lot of fluid, so its amount should be systematically updated. For this, the Rehydron preparation or electrolyte solutions, alkaline bottled water are suitable. They can be alternated, giving the child every 10-15 minutes to drink in small doses.
But even after the rotovirus intestinal infection in children is completely eradicated, treatment aimed at restoring the intestinal flora should continue. To do this, small patients are prescribed drugs based on probiotic microorganisms that will help the intestines restore their basic functions.
Can rotavirus be treated at home?
The decision on home
treatment for rotavirus should be made by the parents together with the doctor. Everything will depend on the state of the child. In addition, the household of a sick patient should have information about what the symptoms of a rotovirus intestinal infection give, treatment of its manifestations should be carried out in order to properly care for their crumbs. Having taken responsibility for the life and health of a child infected with rotavirus, parents, in addition to drug treatment, will need to make every effort to restore the patient's water balance. For this baby, it will be necessary to drink fractional fractions of liquid every 10-15 minutes, even during daytime and nighttime sleep. Otherwise, hospitalization cannot be avoided, since in the absence of frequent drinking, intoxication of the child's body will lead to the most negative consequences.