In the first years of life, babies still have immature immunity, and the children's body is not able to withstand various diseases. An irresistible interest in everything unknown and a desire to touch everything with their hands also affect it. Despite the fact that the baby follows all the rules of personal hygiene and takes multivitamins, he is still susceptible to various kinds of infections. One of them is an enterovirus infection in a child, the treatment of which should be started with a visit to a doctor. This will allow you to diagnose possible complications and start a fight against them in a timely manner.
Enterovirus infection is a whole group of acute infectious diseases that are interconnected. These diseases are caused by viruses belonging to the Coxsackie family and ECHO. Viruses are capable of living for a long period in the external environment (dishes, grass, clothes) and usually infect children over two years old. The incubation period when ingested in a child’s body lasts about 24 hours, then specific symptoms of the disease begin to appear.
Symptoms of enterovirus infection
Common signs for all forms of the disease are as follows:
The wave-like increase in temperature from 37.5 º to 40 º.
Fatigue, general weakness, dizziness.
Due to general intoxication, headaches may appear.
Moodiness, irritability, tearfulness.
Enlarged lymph nodes. Their mobility and soreness are felt.
Redness and sore throat.
Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing.
Swelling and redness of the skin (face, hands, chest).
Decreased appetite.
Slight abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting.
Frequent and loose stools with mucus.
Muscle pain, sensation of aching joints.
Enterovirus infection in a child: treatment
Usually, treatment of this infection is carried out at home. However, if symptoms of damage to the nervous system, liver, heart are detected, with severe sore throat and high temperature hospitalization is necessary. The doctor will examine the patient, make the correct diagnosis and give recommendations on how to treat enterovirus infection. They should be strictly observed. This will alleviate the symptoms of the disease and accelerate recovery.
If an enterovirus infection is detected in a child, treatment includes the following:
Antiviral drugs from the group of interferons.
Antipyretic drugs, as a rule, are ibuprofen, which stops the inflammatory process and is a good analgesic for muscle and bone pain. Paracetamol is also used for this purpose.
Antiseptic agents for the oral cavity (any herbal or synthetic sprays or lozenges).
Vasoconstrictive sprays or nasal drops.
Digestion enzymes.
Adsorbents that eliminate flatulence and relieve intoxication symptoms.
Bed rest for the entire period of the disease.
Diet for enterovirus infection
In addition to the use of medicines, it is recommended to revise the principles of child nutrition.
Diet involves the following conditions:
exclude from the diet foods that enhance intestinal motility (fresh vegetables and fruits, brown bread, fatty foods);
refuse to use dairy products;
it is desirable that the food be mashed, steamed or boiled;
meals should be frequent and in small portions;
plentiful fortified drink in the form of compotes, fruit drinks, natural juices.
Disease prevention
To prevent such a dangerous disease as an enterovirus infection in a child, treatment should be prevented by prevention.
Preventive methods include:
Isolation of sick children.
Thorough hand washing using antibacterial agents.
Frequent ventilation and regular wet cleaning.
Refusal to use untreated tap water and bathing in bodies of water with stagnant water.