How to treat intestinal infection in children and adults?

Intestinal infections are a group of pathologies that affect the digestive tract. An adult, whose body is distinguished by strong immunity, quickly copes with such ailments. But they can cause serious health damage to the crumbs. If the child is not provided with timely medical care, then a fragile body can not cope with a similar problem. In some cases, an intestinal infection even leads to death. Therefore, it is very important not to let such diseases drift. An adult is simply obliged to know how to treat an intestinal infection. In addition, it is important to understand that only a specialist can provide qualified assistance.

Pathology Characterization

What is hidden behind this name? How is the disease manifested and how to treat an intestinal infection?

Almost every person in his life is faced with a disease, sometimes quite dangerous. After all, this group contains many infectious pathologies that adversely affect the work of the digestive tract. The causes of infection are bacteria, viruses, toxins. Ailments vary in the duration and severity of symptoms. For example, a staph infection is cured quickly enough, which can not be said about a disease such as cholera.

The most dangerous intestinal infections in the summer. The peak incidence is associated with the use of unboiled, dirty water, poorly washed vegetables, fruits, berries. In addition, fish, meat, dairy products deteriorate much faster in the heat. The carriers of infection are also insects. That is why the question often arises: how to treat intestinal infection at sea? It is almost impossible to determine therapy without examination. Since to combat some ailments you need to take antibiotics. Other diseases need a completely different approach.

The causes of the disease

People who are interested in how to treat intestinal infections in adults or children should understand that such pathologies are much easier to prevent than to look for ways to deal with them. At the same time, avoiding ailments is not as difficult as it might seem. Understanding the mechanism of infection helps protect yourself and your baby from the development of pathology.

The main reason leading to the occurrence of intestinal pathologies is contact with an infected person. Such a person releases into the environment the causative agents of the disease with vomit, feces, sometimes with urine.

Ways of infection:

1. Oral fecal. Infection occurs through water or food. Many pathogens are highly resistant to environmental conditions.
2. Domestic. Sources of infection can be any household items. In addition, sometimes infection occurs after swimming in open, contaminated water bodies. Particular mention should be made of non-hygiene. Such an elementary procedure as hand washing can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
3. Airborne. Some viral pathologies can be transmitted by coughing, sneezing.

Kids are most susceptible to pathology. That is why the question is so urgently raised: how to treat intestinal infection in children? The disease is especially often observed in premature babies, babies who are breast-fed, with immunodeficiency and diseases of the nervous system.

However, adults also suffer from intestinal infections. The risk group includes the aged population, patients with gastrointestinal tract pathologies, people suffering from alcohol dependence.

The main pathogens

Many viruses and bacteria can cause unpleasant symptoms. The doctor, before treating a gastrointestinal infection, will necessarily determine which pathogen caused the pathology. After all, therapy is completely based on an understanding of the root cause of the ailment.

So, there are several varieties of such infections:

1. Intestinal bacterial pathology. This species includes: salmonellosis, dysentery, yersiniosis, escherichiosis, campylobacteriosis, acute intestinal infection (OCI), provoked by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, clostridia, Klebsiella, Proteus, staphylococcal poisoning, typhoid fever, cholera, botulism.
2. OKI of viral nature. Such pathologies cause rotaviruses, enteroviruses, adenoviruses, reoviruses, coronaviruses.
3. Fungal intestinal ailments. Often they are provoked by Candida.
4. Protozoal intestinal pathology. These are diseases giardiasis, amoebiasis.

Characteristic symptoms

It can manifest itself after 6 hours - 2 days after infection. Already by symptoms, one can suspect which pathology the patient has encountered. And this greatly facilitates the understanding of how to treat an intestinal infection.

Almost any disease in this group causes 2 main syndromes:

• infectious toxic;
• intestinal.

Consider them.

Infectious toxic syndrome may occur:

1. Rise in temperature. For some pathologies, the thermometer shows the number 37 ° C. Hyperthermia is sometimes observed (above 38 ° C). But some ailments can occur even at normal temperature or its short-term rise. For example, the latter is characteristic of staphylococcal infection.
2. Symptoms of intoxication. The patient may experience weakness, aches, and nausea. Against the background of hyperthermia, vomiting often occurs.

Intestinal syndrome manifests itself in different ways. However, a similarity of symptoms is also observed. Knowing what triggered the ailment, you can easily determine how to treat an intestinal infection.

The patient may experience the following manifestations of intestinal syndrome:

1. Gastritis. Pain occurs in the stomach. A person has constant nausea. Any food and even a drink of water can provoke vomiting. She brings a little relief. As a rule, vomiting is repeated. Sometimes diarrhea is connected. However, this phenomenon is observed infrequently.
2. Gastroenteritis. Pain syndrome covers the region of the stomach and the umbilical region. The disease is characterized by vomiting, loose stools (watery). The color of the stool may indicate pathology. With salmonellosis, it is greenish, and in the case of Escherichiosis, it is light brown. Often there is undigested food, mucus.
3. Enteritis. There is only a violation of the stool. In this case, diarrhea is watery.
4. Gastroenterocolitis. The patient experiences multiple diarrhea (which does not provide relief), persistent abdominal pain (spilled character) and severe discomfort during bowel movements. Sometimes impurities of blood and mucus appear in the stool.
5. Enterocolitis. It is characterized by pain throughout the abdomen, frequent stools.
6. Colitis. Discomfort occurs in the lower abdomen. Most often it is localized on the left. Defecation is painful, stool contains impurities of mucus, blood. Emptying does not bring relief. Often there are false urge to defecate.

What does the symptomatology indicate? Often, it accurately characterizes the pathology:

1. With salmonellosis, gastroenteritis, gastroenterocolitis and enterocolitis occur.
2. Dysentery is characterized by enterocolitis and colitis.
3. Escherichiosis is accompanied by gastroenteritis.
4. And for cholera, enteritis is characteristic.

Features of pathology in infants

Unfortunately, the baby is not able to explain that it hurts. Therefore, parents should carefully monitor any changes in the behavior of the crumbs. After all, some symptoms may indicate the development of AKI.

Attention should be paid to the following signs:

1. Refusal of food. This is a rather alarming signal. Especially if after eating, there is not only spitting up, but also vomiting.
2. Anxiety. The baby does not calm down, sleeps poorly. At the same time, he drumming his legs and pulls them to the tummy.
3. Bloating. Colic is a fairly common occurrence for newborns. However, with intestinal pathologies, they are repeatedly amplified.
4. Vomiting Such symptoms may even be absent. But if vomiting is observed in the infant, then its repeated nature should alert.
5. Temperature. It can rise from 37 to 39 ° C. In no case should you decide on your own how to treat intestinal infection in children. This is the prerogative of specialists only. Such crumbs should be under the supervision of doctors.
6. Diarrhea. Significantly faster stool. It becomes watery. Often contains mucus, undigested food, streaks of blood.

Often parents ask themselves: how to treat an intestinal infection in a baby? Doctors urge you not to take any measures to combat pathology without an appointment. You should be aware that the effects of the disease, such as dehydration, weight loss, in children develop rapidly. Sometimes a few hours are enough. Such conditions are extremely dangerous for the health of the child and for his life. Therefore, the only sure way is to contact a doctor immediately.

Symptoms requiring an urgent visit to doctors

Unfortunately, the occurrence of diarrhea is rarely regarded as the need to see a doctor. Usually people, not always understanding how to treat intestinal infection in adults, try to stop diarrhea on their own. Sometimes this procedure can turn into serious problems.

A mandatory visit to the doctor requires the following conditions:

• the above symptoms in preschool children;
• pathology in people aged (over 65 years);
• repeated diarrhea in an adult (more than 5 times);
• the presence of blood in the stool;
• fever accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea;
• cramping abdominal discomfort;
• intense thirst and severe weakness;
• the presence in the history of chronic ailments.

Baby therapy

How to treat viral intestinal infection in children? It is very important to call a doctor at the first symptoms. In addition, you should not pick up medications yourself. Even activated carbon can disrupt the picture of pathology. He turns the stool black. And this can mask the clinic of such a serious pathology as intestinal bleeding.

Parents should know how to treat an intestinal infection at home before a doctor arrives.

The following therapy is recommended:

1. Diet. Breastfeeding babies are not indicated. And older children should refrain from eating. If the crumbs have an appetite, then you need to feed it in small portions. But dairy products, vegetables, fruits, juices are necessarily excluded.
2. Drinking mode. This is a prerequisite and the most important condition. During diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration can occur very quickly. Therefore, the child simply needs a plentiful drink. In case of severe vomiting, it is necessary to give liquid in small amounts, but often. To restore the water-salt balance, it is recommended to use electrolyte solutions: Regidron, Oralit, Glucosolan.
3. Antipyretic. It can only be given with hyperthermia. It is better to use a suppository. But with severe diarrhea, you can give the baby an antipyretic syrup.
4. Enterosorbents. They are used only in extreme cases. The best way to use the drugs is "Smecta", "Enterosgel."

Therapeutic diet

Toddlers are required to be hospitalized. Adults are hospitalized with moderate and severe forms of the disease. Having examined the patient, the doctor will definitely explain how to treat a viral intestinal infection in adults.

All patients are assigned a dietary table No. 4.

It implies use in the acute period:

• mucous soups;
• mashed meat;
• weak broths;
• boiled fish;
• stale bread;
• scrambled eggs, porridge;
• inedible cookies.

Completely exclude:

• milk,
• smoked meats, canned food,
• seasonings, spices,
• chives, garlic, radish,
• alcohol,
• legumes.

A return to normal nutrition occurs gradually over a period of 4 weeks.

Drug therapy

How to treat acute intestinal infection? It is important to understand that with such a serious pathology, only a doctor should prescribe therapy. In addition, depending on the ailment, a treatment regimen will be selected. So, if a viral intestinal infection is diagnosed, how to treat it?

As a rule, drug therapy is based on the use of:

1. Rehydration drugs. They are prescribed for any intestinal pathologies that are accompanied by loss of fluid by the body. The patient is recommended medication "Rehydron", "Citroglucosolan", "Enterodesum". In addition, it is advisable for the patient to drink plenty of water. In severe conditions in a hospital, the patient is prescribed intravenous administration of solutions.
2. Antidiarrheal drugs. To neutralize the harmful effects of toxins on the body, enterosorbents are prescribed to the patient. Most often, the preparations include Polyphepam, Filtrum, Lactofiltrum, White Coal, Enterosgel. No less effective drugs Smecta, Hilak forte, Bactisubtil may be recommended for use.
3. Probiotics They are prescribed to normalize the microflora of the digestive tract. An excellent therapeutic effect is provided by Linex, Acipol, Bion 3, Atzilak, Bifidumbacterin forte, Bifistim, Bifiform medicines.
4. Enzymes. They can significantly reduce the burden on the digestive tract and facilitate digestion. It is advisable to use one of the following drugs: Pancreatin, Hermitage, Mezim, Creon, Mikrazim.

What to do with hyperthermia?

How to treat an intestinal infection with a high fever? With hyperthermia, the patient includes antipyretic drugs in the above therapeutic course.

Medications may be prescribed:

• "Paracetamol" (the suspension is allowed for children from 1 month old).
• "Panadol."
• "Tsefekon D".
• "Kalpol."
• "Efferalgan."
• "Nurofen."

Complementary Medication

In addition to the above medicines, they can be included in the treatment:

1. Intestinal antiseptics. They suppress the vital activity of staphylococcal forms, protea, yeast fungi. In this case, microflora is practically not affected. Often prescribed medications "Intetriks", "Enterol", "Intestopan", "Enterofuril", "Entero-Sediv."
2. Antibacterial drugs. Such drugs are prescribed only when diagnosing severe forms of the disease. Cephalosporins are most commonly used. Since such agents are distinguished by a wide spectrum of exposure and low toxicity. In case of intestinal infections, “Cefabol” and “Claforan” preparations are prescribed. Such medicines are used in injections. If a patient is diagnosed with cholera, the following antibiotics can be included in the treatment: Erythromycin, Ciprolet, Levomycetin, Tetracycline, Succinate, Doxycycline.

Very often, these drugs are prescribed by doctors until the diagnosis is confirmed. Often the question arises: why include them in therapy? After all, neither antibacterial medicines, nor intestinal antiseptics are able to fight a viral infection. The use of these drugs avoids the attachment of a bacterial infection.

A very common pathology is a rotovirus intestinal infection. How to treat such an ailment? It should be noted that the methods of control are not particularly different from the standard therapy described above. The treatment process is based on the normalization of gastrointestinal enzyme deficiency. Be sure to follow a diet. In addition, antiviral medications are included in the therapy.

Features of pathology in pregnant women

Women who are expecting a baby are very careful about their diet. They think about which foods contain more vitamins. After all, the baby needs to provide good nutrition. This is a very correct approach. However, as a result of such a scrupulous selection of wholesome food, many mistakes are often made.

As a result, intestinal infection in pregnant women may develop . How to treat her? Initially, it should be noted that future mothers are strictly contraindicated to take any therapy on their own. After all, most drugs that can get rid of the pathology are not intended for use by pregnant women.

The following symptoms may indicate the presence of intestinal infection:

• unpleasant discomfort, pain in the stomach;
• loss of appetite;
• nausea, vomiting;
• increased gas formation;
• diarrhea.

Such signs can not be categorically ignored, believing that they will pass on their own. Indeed, most often they indicate a diagnosis of intestinal infection in pregnant women. How to treat such an ailment, only a doctor can say. It is he who will choose the appropriate therapy aimed at eliminating negative symptoms and at the same time safe for the unborn baby.

Pregnant treatment methods

Any delay is very dangerous. After all, the risk of developing intoxication and dehydration is high. Such pathologies will lead to a thickening of the blood. As a result, blood clots may form. In addition, the concentration of oxytocin in the blood increases. Such a substance can provoke premature birth, and in the early stages - a miscarriage.

It is dangerous for a future baby to dehydrate the mother's body. After all, a woman loses useful minerals and vitamins with liquid. Namely, they provide the full development of the fetus.Therefore, when observing unpleasant symptoms, it is very important to consult a doctor in a timely manner with the question: how to treat an intestinal infection during pregnancy? Only a doctor can select therapy, assessing the patient’s condition and weighing all the risks. The only thing that remains unchanged in treatment is the use of drugs:

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Once the discomfort in the stomach subsides, you can drink chicken stock (only low-fat) with crackers. Raw vegetables and sweets should not be consumed. They will only aggravate the pathology.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to protect the body from the development of intestinal infection. However, knowing how to deal with it, serious consequences can be avoided. In addition, timely access to a doctor provides adequate therapy.

Health to you!