In the article, we consider the prevention of rotovirus infections in children.
What is a rotovirus infection, in what place can it become infected, and how to protect yourself and your child? The virus has a lot of opportunities for spread, the main of them is oral-fecal, and sometimes even airborne. The causative agent can be in the ground, in water, and, in addition, in household items and personal use. In addition, it can be present in unwashed vegetables or on dirty fruits.
Rotovirus, as a rule, is not afraid of temperature changes and cold weather, in connection with this, infection of a child or adult occurs absolutely at any time of the year. However, as practice often shows, often children catch the infection on vacation, mainly at sea. Next, we will talk in detail about the prevention of rotovirus infections in contact with a sick child. We learn how to prevent it, especially during the summer holidays. And also find out what advice doctors give to children and adults so that patients can protect themselves from this disease.
The prevalence of rotovirus infection
Among all infectious diseases of the intestine, the leading position is occupied by rotovirus infection. Carrying out prophylaxis in conditions of such a high infectious danger plays an important role. After all, it is best to be able to prevent the disease than to cure its consequences.
Thus, absolutely all people are affected by this disease, but to a greater extent, children, especially those who are under the age of those years, suffer from it. They are characterized by complications of this pathology. Symptoms of rotovirus in adults are less pronounced. A high surge in disease is noted during the winter months. This is directly related to the low temperature of the environment, in which the infection lives much longer. In the summer, often in children traveling to the sea, this infection spoils the rest.
You can take medications to prevent rotovirus infections with you to minimize the risk of getting sick.
Where does this infection come from?
Ill people are the main source of pathology, and at the same time, a great danger to others. With feces, a large number of pathogens leave the patient's body, which are able to live up to twenty-one days. Particularly dangerous are asymptomatic vectors that spread the infection to others.
The most likely way of transmitting the rotovuris pathogen is through a contact household method. Less often observed airborne infection. Food contamination and waterborne transmission through bathing in a river or sea are also likely. Regardless of gender, age and other characteristics, absolutely every person is affected by this disease. Therefore, the prevention of rotovirus infections in children and adults is extremely important, which we will discuss in detail in this article.
The causative agent of infection, as a rule, penetrates the body, reaches the intestines and soon disrupts the digestive system. This usually happens within ten to seventy-two hours. Among the first manifestations can be identified:
- A catarrhal manifestation in the form of a person having spontaneous cough and unpleasant sore throat, complicated breathing and problems with yawning.
- Temperature increase from thirty-eight degrees to forty.
- The presence of loose stools, vomiting, nausea, pain in the intestines and bloating.
Treatment and prevention of intestinal rotavirus infection in children are of interest to many.
Rotovirus: the effects of infection on the human body
Viral infection can seriously spoil people's impression of rest, especially in a child. As a rule, such an infection affects the body very hard and causes a number of unpleasant symptoms. Once in the body, the infection can go through an incubation period, in most situations, short, from one to two days. After this period, parents can notice the following signs of the onset of the disease:
- The infected baby will constantly complain of nausea, and in addition, he will vomit.
- Most likely, there will be a change in bowel movements in the form of severe diarrhea.
- The presence of discomfort and colic in the intestine.
- The appearance of weakness and fever along with a lack of appetite.
The main localization of pathogenic organisms are, as a rule, the upper intestines. The virus is able to infect organ cells, thereby provoking the development of pathological processes.
Prevention of rotavirus infections in children
Almost every child carries a rotovirus infection at a very early age, thanks to this, immunity is generated in relation to the pathogen cells, and re-infections pass without such pronounced signs. Children under the age of six are very vulnerable in immunity, therefore, infection with this virus, both primary and repeated, is much more difficult for them to tolerate.
The most unpleasant problem that arises against the background of rotovirus is a violation of the normal functioning of the intestine, whose recovery takes a very long time. Preventive measures for this infection are completely simple, and they mainly relate to personal hygiene rules.
What does the prevention of rotovirus infections in children suggest?
Preliminary preventive measures
To settle rotovirus in the intestine and begin its pathological processes, it needs to penetrate the body through the oral cavity. As a rule, this can happen with dirty hands, and, in addition, through household items and through food, for example, poorly washed vegetables and fruits. In order to find effective preventive methods to prevent this disease, it is necessary to consider different situations.
Use of initial preventive measures
On vacation, the main rotovirus infection site is the sea. In this regard, the child should be protected and it is accessible to explain to him that when bathing, it is necessary to exclude ingestion of water, and if this suddenly happens, then parents should be informed as soon as possible. Next, emergency prophylaxis is required, the methodology of which will be described a little later.
The next route of infection is drinking untreated water, that is, when they drink from the tap. Another way of infection is the use of vegetables and fruits that have undergone poor processing. Fruits with vegetables should be thoroughly washed, and then properly doused with boiling water.
Next, you need to pay attention to your bedding, because usually, arriving at the sea, parents with children stay in hotel rooms. Unfortunately, not all hotels use linen disinfection methods; in this connection, it is best to take your own set with you on vacation.
First of all, you need to know about rotovirus infection that this is a disease of dirty hands, so first you need to properly teach your child to thoroughly wash them after the street. The use of antibacterial agents in the form of gels and napkins, especially after playing with sand and swimming in the sea, will also be good.
What do doctors say about preventing rotavirus intestinal infections in children?
Medical advice for protecting children from rotovirus
Discussing preventive measures that would protect children and adults from rotovirus can take a very long time. In this regard, doctors distinguish a number of rules that must be followed on vacation with children so as not to get sick:
- It is necessary to try not to immerse yourself in the water with your head, since it is very important to completely eliminate its ingestion.
- After direct contact with sand, sea and clothing (be it a swimsuit or swimming trunks), you should thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, then apply an antibacterial agent.
- You should use only your own set of linen or carefully steam the dispensed one.
- It is often necessary to remind the child of the existing rules of hygiene and make sure that he regularly washed his hands.
If you adhere to these simple rules for the prevention of rotavirus intestinal infection in children, the risk of infection will significantly decrease, although the truth will not be completely excluded. For this reason, all parents need to know about the methods of emergency prevention in order to prevent the possible development of unpleasant symptoms.
Conducting emergency prevention of rotovirus
Emergency prevention of rotavirus infections in children with drugs at sea consists in stopping the subsequent development of pathogens in the child's body. As a rule, immunostimulating medications are prescribed, which are aimed at improving the protective properties of immunity in the fight against various viruses. They do not strictly recommend prescribing medications to a child on their own, but if it is not possible to consult a doctor, you can turn to the use of affordable drugs for the prevention of rotavirus infections at sea for children like Linex or Nifuroxazide.
Do not forget that rotovirus is capable of provoking a strong failure of bowel movements, namely, causes diarrhea. To eliminate this symptom, it is required to take sorbents, for example, Smecta, along with solutions to restore water and salt balance in the body. For example, a drug called Regidron is perfect for this purpose.
Preparations for the prevention of rotovirus infections should be taken only in accordance with the instructions. This will help to avoid overdose and side effects.
Prevention and treatment of infection during the holiday at sea
The most effective method for preventing rotavirus infections at sea in children is vaccination. Today, there are several types of such vaccines:
- The first vaccine is called "PB1", it is administered twice.
- The second variety is "PB5", which is administered three times.
The use of the first dose of the drug should be started as early as possible, in this case, the recommended age of the child is six weeks. Further, the drug is administered after sixteen weeks. Vaccination can enhance the protective functions of the immune system, which will help prevent infections, and, in addition, completely reduce symptoms to a minimum.
Such prevention of rotavirus infections at sea in children has recently become increasingly popular.
The first type of vaccine is highly effective against type A viruses, and the second can protect against several at once. Vaccine preparations are produced in the form of drops, so they are very convenient to use for children at any age. The Ministry of Health highly appreciates the effectiveness of these funds. According to studies, vaccination protects children by seventy-five percent from rotovirus infection. Among other things, thanks to vaccination, a ninety-two percent child is protected from the development of severe symptoms.
Vaccination is the main form of prevention of rotovirus infections at sea in comparison with other methods, it also guarantees the highest percentage of protection. A sharp change in climate, for example, in the Black Sea, can have an extremely negative effect on the body of children, therefore, even when vaccinated, you should also take care of such nuances:
- In the first few days of rest, the baby's stay in the water and in the sun must be minimal.
- It is also necessary to pay attention to nutrition, and, in addition, give the child exclusively bottled water.
- You can not change the diet of the baby. It is required to exclude the use of unusual products. Such a measure will effectively help prevent bowel failure.
- When at sea, dairy products should be discarded, as such increases the risk of infection with rotovirus.
- Just before the trip, you need to contact a pediatrician, a specialist will certainly help and pick up the necessary drugs that are useful on the road.
Treatment of a rotovirus infection is usually symptomatic. It is worth noting that today a single universal drug has not yet been developed that would quickly and effectively cope with this infection, suitable for all patients at the same time, regardless of age.
Primary treatment for rotavirus infection in children
What to do if the infection takes the child by surprise, and how can it be cured? As already noted above, the treatment of this ailment is symptomatic, since there is no single drug whose effect would be directed exclusively to stopping the virus. Therapeutic techniques are aimed at eliminating disorders of the intestines, and, in addition, stopping vomiting and normalizing stool.
In the case of intoxication, in no case should the baby be given dairy and dairy products. These will provoke an even greater aggravation of the pathological process.
With an exacerbation of the infection, the child’s appetite is significantly reduced, or may disappear altogether. You can not force the child to take food, you need to limit the diet, for example, with homemade jelly or chicken broth. The amount of food should be as small as possible, this is very important to prevent the gag reflex.
As noted above, it is required to treat the resulting rotovirus infection with the help of sorbent preparations in the form of activated carbon and Attapulgite, and, in addition, rehydration agents are suitable. Rehydron preparations are dissolved in 500 milliliters of water, they can be given to a child of 50 milliliters every hour throughout the day.
But it’s better to preliminarily organize the prevention of rotavirus infections at sea with drugs so that you do not have to be treated.
Rotovirus temperature reduction
A rotovirus infection is almost always accompanied by an increase in body temperature, on average, it rises to thirty-eight degrees. In the event that the child tolerates this symptom satisfactorily, then there is no need to resort to the use of antipyretic drugs. If the temperature rises to thirty-nine degrees, doctors recommend Cefecon candles, this medicine is suitable for children who are under the age of three years. For older patients, they are allowed to take Paracetamol, the dosage of which is selected according to the instructions. In some situations, when the temperature does not stray to acceptable values, the combined use of Paracetamol and Analgin is possible. A quarter tablet is usually used.
In addition to drug therapy, wet wipes are added using an aqueous solution or vinegar. Apply the solution to the whole body of the child, the main thing is to prevent temperature differences between the skin areas.
What else to know about rotovirus
Medicines for the prevention of rotovirus infections in children are best taken with you on vacation.
The incubation period of rotoviruses lasts from one to five days, often it does not exceed twenty-four hours. The timing of this largely depends on the age of the child, on his immunity and the volume of the virus. It is possible to accurately diagnose this disease using the analysis of feces, which is given at any medical institution. Also often use a roto test, which is sold in pharmacies. The initial stages of the disease are divided into three types: colds, classic and intoxication.
Often this disease at first can be disguised as a standard ARI, as well as a common cold. As a rule, a child develops a mild cough along with a stuffy nose or reddening of the pharynx; a disturbance in the digestive system is not ruled out. All these symptoms are usually observed after three days. In another scenario, a child immediately begins to show digestive upset.
Another scenario for the development of the disease is possible, when general intoxication occurs without temperature, the child will be sluggish, or, conversely, too excited, his nasopharynx will be normal, but abdominal pain may soon join. In that case, if a nursing baby appears lethargic for no particular reason, it is worthwhile to be on the lookout, since the onset of the disease is most often observed in such children.
It is worth noting that adults, just like adolescents, are less susceptible to this disease due to the higher acidity level of gastric juice. Symptoms in case of infection are erased, loose stools quickly disappear, and vomiting may be completely absent, however, such a person, unfortunately, becomes a dangerous carrier of infection.
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Essence of treatment
Rotovirus infection can demonstrate a different course of the disease, but all therapy consists of two actions: rehydration and a decrease in the activity of the virus. Often, treatment of rotovirus in infants may require the use of antipyretic drugs. Such a drug should be taken if there is a temperature with an indicator in excess of thirty-eight degrees. By the way, it is worth remembering that with this infection you can not allow the use of "Aspirin", that is, it is impossible for acetylsalicylic acid to enter the body.
It is worth emphasizing that illiterate treatment carried out at home, with the lack of access to a specialist, is fraught with the occurrence of dangerous complications, and, in addition, the likelihood of a fatal outcome.
The treatment regimen depends largely on the severity of the disease, and, in addition, on the age of the patient and his immediate whereabouts, but always involves the use of antiviral drugs and heavy drinking. Absorbent medicines are also prescribed that reduce the body's intoxication. Treatment can be carried out at home, and, in addition, in a hospital.
Preparations for the prevention of rotovirus infections in children we reviewed. Next, we describe the medications used in the treatment.
Used drugs
So, the treatment that is carried out at home, without fail requires an appeal to medical specialists. For treatment and prevention as prescribed by the doctor, these groups of drugs are usually used:
- The use of antiviral drugs in the form of "Viferon" and "Interferon".
- "Enterofuril" and "Enterol" as the prevention of rotovirus infections in children.
- The use of rehydration agents in the form of "Rehydron" and "Gluksonal."
- The use of "Polyoxidonium" for the prevention of rotavirus infections in children.
- The use of absorbent drugs, for example, Enterosgel and Smecta.
- "Bacteriophage" for the prevention of rotavirus infections in children is also quite often prescribed.
- The use of probiotics such as Linex and Hilak.
Without consulting a doctor, it is highly undesirable to use any medications either for the prevention of rotavirus intestinal infection or for treatment. Before examining a doctor, it is best to give the patient a simple, but boiled water. Antidiarrheal drugs along with drugs to restore microflora are not always prescribed during the acute period. After completion of this, along with beneficial bacteria, enzyme preparations are sometimes prescribed in the form of Pancreatin and Creon.
It is important to emphasize that it is strictly forbidden to give antidiarrheal medications to an infected person without a doctor's prescription. In addition, in the absence of direct indications, it is forbidden to take certain antibiotics. They do not have any effect on the virus, but can greatly damage the intestinal microflora. They are prescribed only with a diagnosed attachment of bacterial infections.
Parents believe that with home therapy with drugs for the prevention of rotavirus infections in children and treatment, it is enough to know how much pathology lasts in order to fully convince themselves of overcoming the disease. But this is a completely wrong approach, since recovery can be seen only through re-analysis for the absence of rotovirus.
It is worth noting that there is such a thing as a "second wave." For example, after a week the patient recovers, and after three days the symptoms appear again. In infectious hospitals, safety tests are always done to confirm recovery.
Adult Rotavirus Prevention
Preventive measures that can significantly reduce the risk of infection with a rotovirus infection, as a rule, include compliance with hygiene rules and vaccination.
Thus, to prevent infection with such a virus, adults also need to regularly and thoroughly wash their hands with soap. In no case should you drink raw water, you need to very thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables using special detergents. Usually, compliance with all these measures in an adult does not cause any problems.
Thus, rotovirus infection is very common in the modern world. As part of additional insurance against the disease in question, it is best for children to vaccinate against this virus. At the moment, as noted earlier, two vaccines are available for Russians that are used to prevent this disease in children under two years of age. Vaccination products are produced in Europe, it is worth noting that they have all the certificates confirming their quality and clinical effectiveness. True, such vaccination is not provided by the standard compulsory medical insurance policy; therefore, it is necessary to pay for it yourself. The price of the vaccine today is about five thousand rubles. It is also worth noting that vaccinations are a very important part of prevention, but banal hygiene also acts as an excellent guarantee of the health of not only children, but also for adults.