Rotavirus infection symptoms than treatment. Rotavirus infection - what is it and how to treat it? Prevention. What are the possible complications in adults

Rotavirus infection is caused by a virus of the same name.

This disease is also called rotavirus, rotavirus enterocolitis, gastric or intestinal flu (the latter name is due to the coincidence of outbreaks of rotavirus infection with influenza epidemics). Rotavirus infection is seasonal, most often it is diagnosed in the winter-spring period (December to May). Outbreaks of the disease are due to poor ventilation of premises, infrequent wet cleaning and the duration of close contact of a large number of people in the room.

This disease affects both adults and children, but in the latter it is more severe. It is believed that by the age of 5, every child has had a rotavirus infection. In adults, the severity of the course of the disease is affected by immunity, in case of its weakening (AIDS, cancer, taking certain medications), the disease is more severe.

What it is?

This genus includes 9 species of rotaviruses, of which only 3 (A, B and C) can infect the human small intestine, the most commonly diagnosed species is A.

Rotavirus is able to exist for a long time in the external environment, settling on furniture, clothes, food, getting into the water. When entering the body, it first passes through the acidic environment of the stomach, then the virus infects the enterocyte cells of the villi of the small intestine and begins to reproduce its copies at high speed.

When a certain concentration of the virus in the cell is reached, the latter dies, and copies of the viruses enter the intestinal environment. A certain amount of viruses is excreted from the body, but most continue to capture new enterocytes and actively multiply.

Epidemiology

Rotavirus is widespread throughout the world. According to studies, in developing countries with an average standard of living, it accounts for half of all intestinal disorders, most often diagnosed in children under the age of 2 years. In the United States, more than 1 million cases of severe diarrhea occur each year in children aged 1 to 4 years. Parents and caregivers should consider that of this group, about 150 children die due to complications.

Ongoing studies show that children over the age of 14 have a higher amount of antibodies in the blood, which indicates a widespread spread of the virus. Despite the insignificant manifestation of symptoms at an older age, the number of carriers of the infection, which can inadvertently infect children, increases significantly.

There is a lot of controversy about immunity. The study revealed that in Germany and Japan, patients developed antibodies of serotypes 1 and 3. In this case, the type of antibody serotype may vary depending on the time of year and other factors. The weakening of the immune system due to advancing age determines that symptoms can occur both in children and in the elderly.

What happens in the body after infection?

In rotavirus infection, there is a standard cycle of virion replication in the human body. The pathogen multiplies in the epithelial cells of the upper intestine, which die in large numbers. They are replaced “urgently” by immature epithelium, which cannot absorb water. The result is a loss of fluid and electrolytes.

However, the main cause of profuse diarrhea and dehydration is osmotic diarrhea: a large amount of undigested sugars accumulate in the intestines, since the cells are immature. As a result of the osmotic pump, water is intensively “pumped out” into the intestinal lumen. Interestingly, a disorder like diarrhea is the same as the courtship of a beautiful bird or butterfly: the bird attracts a mate, which increases the chances of reproduction, and profuse diarrhea dramatically increases the chance for the virus to spread over a large area, which leads to reproduction and prosperity. kind.

After an infection, intestinal recovery usually ends by 5-8 weeks, with the exception of secondary dysbacteriosis, which must be corrected. As for the various variants of the course and classification, there are two forms of the disease - typical and atypical:

• the typical form is gastroenteritis with all the classic symptoms, which will be discussed in detail below”; it can be mild, moderate or severe;
• atypical form - the most dangerous epidemically, especially in adults.

There may be an erased course (in which an episode of loose stools is observed during the day) or completely asymptomatic, in which the virus multiplies in the intestine without causing diarrhea. This has been proven by studies during outbreaks of infection, when healthy contacts not only isolated viruses in the feces, but also recorded a significant immune response.

Incubation period

This is the time from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first clinical signs. With rotavirus disease, it is short-lived and usually lasts 1-2 days. The acute period is 4 days, and convalescence lasts a week.

Thus, the duration of the disease is on average 12-14 days.

First signs

Rotavirus infection can manifest itself:

• nausea;
• vomiting;
• diarrhea (diarrhea);
• pain in the abdomen;
• bloating;
• an increase in body temperature;
• general weakness;
• headaches;
• dizziness.

Symptoms of rotavirus infection in adults

The main symptoms of rotavirus infection are caused by damage to the intestinal mucosa and malabsorption of nutrients, as well as disruption of the immune system and the whole organism.

The onset of the disease is usually acute, characterized by a sharp increase in temperature, repeated vomiting, cramping pain and rumbling in the abdomen, and diarrhea may develop. The nature of the stool helps diagnose rotavirus infection. On the first day of illness, the stool is liquid yellow, in the following days the stool becomes gray-yellow clay-like consistency. In addition to intestinal manifestations of the disease, patients are concerned about a runny nose, perspiration and sore throat, cough.

The above symptoms are more typical for children. In adults, the symptoms of rotavirus are often similar to common indigestion. Perhaps a decrease in appetite, loose stools, an increase in body temperature, which persist for a short time. Often, rotavirus infection in adults is asymptomatic, however, they are contagious to others. If there is a sick person in a team or family, then the people around him begin to fall ill in turn.

Symptoms of rotavirus infection can be very similar to signs of other infectious diseases (salmonellosis, cholera), so when they appear, especially in young children, you should call a doctor. Never give your child pain medication before consulting a doctor, as this may mask the symptoms of more serious illnesses.

Features of the disease in adults

Rotavirus in adults proceeds calmly, without severe intoxication. Often, people with actively working immunity and high acidity of gastric juice have no symptoms at all. Some patients take the pathology clinic for an intestinal disorder.

Symptoms of rotavirus infection in adults:

1. Malaise,
2. subfebrile condition,
3. Nausea,
4. Pain in the epigastrium
5. Diarrhea,
6. symptoms of rhinitis
7. Easy cough.

Asymptomatic individuals are contagious. An infected person who is in a family or team poses a danger to others. Within 5 days, the infection is carried by everyone in turn. In the elderly and people weakened by chronic pathologies, stress and other adverse factors, rotavirus diseases are severe.

The infection is quite dangerous for pregnant women. This is due to the detrimental effect of dehydration on the fetus. Intestinal contractions and bloating often cause reflex spasm of the muscles of the uterus, which is a threat of premature birth or miscarriage.

How to distinguish rotavirus from poisoning?

Rotavirus at the initial acute stage of the manifestation of primary symptoms is often confused with poisoning. At the same time, even physicians, in particular therapists, who do not have the necessary experience or who are delaying a full diagnosis of the patient, can make mistakes.

Indeed, the external manifestations of intoxication in both pathological cases are very similar - these are systemic dyspeptic disorders, fever, tachycardia with an increase in blood pressure, changes in the consistency and nature of urine with feces. In the classical medical literature, when conducting the first differential diagnosis, it is recommended to pay attention to symptoms such as sore throat, severe lacrimation, cough, redness of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract - they are formed during the oral penetration of a rotavirus infection into the body with subsequent reproduction of virions already in the intestine.

However, it should be borne in mind that it is possible to distinguish between poisoning and rotavirus damage only if the former has the character of food intoxication or an overdose of certain drugs. In case of poisoning with organophosphorus compounds, heavy metals, cumulative poisons of cauterizing action, the symptoms of the acute period may be identical, especially if we are not talking about vapor toxicity (where the bronchopulmonary system suffers first of all), but about the direct oral route of penetration of the pathogen.

Based on the above arguments, it can be argued that it is guaranteed to distinguish between rotavirus infection and poisoning in 100 percent of cases only after receiving the results of the tests - classical PCR and microscopy, or by express methods.

How to treat rotavirus infection?

At home, for the treatment of rotavirus in adults, it is necessary to remove microorganisms from the intestines that are located on its walls and destroy cells. For this purpose, adequate doses of sorbent preparations can be used, such as:

1. Activated charcoal - up to 4-6 tablets per dose several times a day;
2. Smektu or Neosmectin (domestic analogue) - 3-4 sachets per day;
3. Enterodez or Polysorb - 1-2 sachets per day.

For infants, the number of drugs is selected individually, depending on the condition of the child. Some forms of drugs are difficult enough to get a baby to drink. To simplify the process, preference should be given to syrups, medicinal solutions. Tablets can be dissolved in water or finely crushed and given in a teaspoon.

In addition to enterosorbents, Anaferon and Arbidol have proven their effectiveness against rotaviruses. In the course of research, doctors found that their use accelerates the treatment of infection by several days.

There are no specific drugs that are aimed at destroying rotaviruses. Therapeutic measures are aimed at combating the symptoms of the disease.

Elimination of dehydration and intoxication

This is one of the most important components of treatment, which improves the general condition of a patient of any age. You can compensate for the loss of water and minerals necessary for the body with the help of drugs: Regidron, Glucosolan, Gastrolit.

If none of the listed drugs is in the home medicine cabinet, for the first time you can prepare a solution that is close in composition to these drugs. To do this, add to 1 liter of boiled water:

• 4 tablespoons (20 g) sugar
• 1 teaspoon (3 g) salt
• 1 teaspoon (3 g) baking soda

However, it should be remembered that this solution is best used only for a short time, before buying medications, since it lacks a number of important trace elements.

Restoration of bowel function

Rotavirus infection destroys some of the beneficial bacteria that are essential for efficient digestion. That is why it is necessary to connect probiotics to therapy, such as Laktofiltrum, Linex, Bifidum, Bifidumbacterin, etc.

Prevention

There is a list of personal prevention measures that must be observed directly by each person to prevent the development of the disease, and a list of anti-epidemic measures that must be carried out in medical institutions, children's institutions. Personal precautions include:

1. Try to always keep clean in apartments, houses and other residential areas.
2. Carefully monitor the cleanliness of the hands of children, especially after walking on the street and before eating.
3. Eat only boiled or bottled water, as well as boiled milk.
4. Be sure to wash any vegetables and fruits well before eating them, rinsing them with boiling water.
5. Keep dishes clean, especially for children.

It is imperative to isolate a sick person from the rest of the family with the allocation of only separate dishes intended for him, towels and other items related to personal hygiene.

Which doctor should I contact?

Diagnosis and treatment of patients with rotavirus infection is carried out by an infectious disease specialist. At the same time, it is worth noting that when the first symptoms of the disease appear, people usually turn to a family doctor, a pediatrician (if a child is sick) or call an ambulance. That is why a doctor of any specialty should be able to recognize the symptoms of this pathology and promptly refer the patient to an infectious disease specialist.

- an acute infectious disease caused by pathogenic rotaviruses and proceeding with a primary lesion of the gastrointestinal tract. With rotavirus infection, children develop acute gastroenteritis with fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, accompanied by intoxication and respiratory syndrome. Diagnosis of rotavirus infection in children is based on a set of clinical and epidemiological data and laboratory results. Treatment of rotavirus infection in children includes rehydration, detoxification therapy, therapeutic diet, antispasmodics, enzymes, enterosorbents, probiotics, antiviral and immunotropic drugs.

General information

Rotavirus infection belongs to the group of viral diarrhea occurring in any age period, but most often recorded in children. This is a common disease in the practice of pediatricians, pediatric gastroenterologists, pediatric infectious disease specialists. The natural susceptibility of children to rotavirus infection is very high. Almost all children get sick with rotavirus infection (sometimes repeatedly) in the first 5 years of life, and 70-80% of cases occur in children aged 6 months to 2 years, especially those who are formula-fed. Children of the first 3 months of life get sick with rotavirus infection relatively rarely due to the presence of passive immunity obtained trap-placentally or with breast milk, but in its absence, newborns can also get sick. Repeated cases of rotavirus infection in children are possible 6-12 months after the illness, if they are infected with another rotavirus serovar. Children who have been ill with rotavirus infection usually tolerate subsequent cases of the disease more easily.

Causes of rotavirus infection in children

The source of rotavirus infection in children is a sick person with a manifest or asymptomatic form of the disease. The mechanism of transmission of rotavirus infection in children is fecal-oral, it can be carried out through food products (usually dairy), tap water, as well as through household contacts (dirty hands, contaminated household items, toys, linen).

The greatest release of viral particles to patients is observed in the first 3-5 days of the disease. Rotavirus infection in children is activated seasonally; an increase in the incidence is noted in the winter-spring period, sometimes there are sporadic cases. Group diseases and mass outbreaks in children's groups (preschool and school institutions, hospitals) are often noted.

The causative agents of rotavirus infection in children are enterotropic RNA-containing viruses of the genus Rotavirus, including 7 serogroups (most human rotaviruses belong to group A). Rotaviruses are highly stable in the external environment; they remain viable for many months when frozen, but quickly die when boiled. Rotavirus infection causes damage and destruction of the microvilli of the small intestine, leading to secondary disaccharidase deficiency, accumulation of non-hydrolyzed disaccharides (lactose), impaired water and electrolyte reabsorption, development of diarrheal syndrome and dehydration in the child.

The decrease in interferonogenesis in the acute phase and during the period of convalescence with rotavirus infection in children is one of the reasons for the protracted and chronic course of the disease.

Symptoms of rotavirus infection in children

The incubation period of rotavirus infection in children can last from 12 hours to 1-5 days. In the clinical picture, the defeat of the gastrointestinal tract in the form of acute gastroenteritis and intoxication comes to the fore; respiratory syndrome may accompany or precede the underlying disorders. Symptoms of rotavirus infection in children are characterized by an acute onset and develop within a day, sometimes there may be a prodromal period with a slight change in condition. According to the severity of the course, rotavirus infection is divided into mild, moderate and severe forms. There may be atypical erased forms (usually in premature and newborn babies), as well as carriage of rotavirus. Rotavirus infection in children has a cyclic course, the severity of the disease depends on the duration and degree of dehydration (exicosis I, II, III degree) and intoxication.

In the stage of pronounced clinical manifestations, fever (38.5-39ºC), nausea, repeated or repeated vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, rumbling along the intestines are noted. For rotavirus infection in children, abundant, watery-frothy yellow-green stools are characteristic, with a pungent odor, without visible pathological impurities, sometimes with mucus. Depending on the severity of the disease, the frequency of stool ranges from 3 to 20 times a day; diarrhea persists up to 3-7 days.

Intoxication syndrome in children with mild and moderate rotavirus infection is characterized by severe weakness, pallor of the skin, headache, in severe cases - adynamia, dizziness, fainting, muscle cramps of the limbs; in children of the first year of life, there is a decrease in body weight, a decrease in tissue turgor.

Respiratory manifestations of rotavirus infection in children are moderate hyperemia and sore throat, runny nose, slight dry cough, conjunctivitis. Recovery from rotavirus infection in children usually occurs after 5-12 days, in severe cases - later.

Complications of rotavirus infection in children can be circulatory disorders, acute cardiovascular and renal failure, bacterial infection, exacerbation of existing gastroenterological pathology - chronic gastritis, enterocolitis, intestinal dysbacteriosis.

Diagnosis of rotavirus infection in children

The diagnosis of rotavirus infection in children is made on the basis of a set of clinical and epidemiological data, the results of laboratory tests (virological, bacteriological, serological, molecular genetic).

The leading clinical syndrome, the combination and sequence of the onset of symptoms, the localization of the pathological process (gastritis, enteritis, colitis, etc.), the age of the child, the presence of an acute intestinal infection in his environment, the alleged source of infection, seasonality are taken into account. Diagnosis of rotavirus infection in children is facilitated in the presence of a family focus or an epidemic outbreak of the disease.

Confirmation of rotavirus infection in children is the detection of viral particles and antigens, viral RNA and specific antibodies in feces, vomit, blood serum. The genetic material of rotavirus in faeces can be detected by PCR, point hybridization method, RNA electrophoresis in PAAG. Morphological identification of rotavirus infection in children is carried out using electron microscopy, ELISA, RPHA, diffuse precipitation reaction, latex agglutination, RIF, isolation of rotavirus in cell culture, radioimmunoassay (RIA). Determination of specific antibodies to rotavirus in the patient's blood (methods of solid-phase coagglutination reaction, RTGA, RSK, RNV) is carried out from the 5th day from the onset of the disease.

With rotavirus infection in children, the results of bacteriological examination of feces for major intestinal infections are negative. Auxiliary importance in the diagnosis is a microscopic examination of feces - a coprogram, a general analysis of urine and blood.

Differential diagnosis of rotavirus infection in children is carried out with dysentery, salmonellosis, escherichiosis, mild forms of cholera, food poisoning, viral diarrhea of ​​a different etiology (enteroviral, etc.). In complex, doubtful cases, sigmoidoscopy with aspiration biopsy of the colon mucosa can be performed.

Treatment of rotavirus infection in children

With rotavirus infection in children, early diagnosis and timely treatment are very important. Children with severe and moderate forms of rotavirus infection are subject to hospitalization. Therapy of the disease is pathogenetic and is aimed at combating dehydration, functional disorders of the cardiovascular and urinary systems, and digestive disorders.

In order to prevent rotavirus infection in children, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene and nutrition, breastfeeding, early detection of patients and their timely isolation, and compliance with the sanitary and hygienic regime in the focus of the disease (family and children's institution). As a specific prevention of rotavirus infection in children, vaccination with live oral vaccines is used.

Rotavirus infection is one of the most contagious and common diseases among young children.. Adults, even those who have been ill with this disease in childhood, also do not have immunity from intestinal flu, but they usually tolerate it more easily. If one of the household members has caught this viral infection, then, as a rule, others become infected with it - all because neither disinfection nor boiling kills rotavirus. It feels great in any environment and in all weather conditions. Whether the consequences of rotavirus manifest themselves will depend on how timely the patient received adequate treatment.

Consequences of rotavirus

The disease develops rapidly, and its acute phase lasts up to 5 days.. At first, you may not recognize that it is rotavirus, since frequent loose stools, vomiting and fever are symptoms of many diseases. Thus, you can miss the time and the intestinal flu, like any other, in this case threatens with complications. Among the most dangerous conditions, the following consequences can be distinguished:

• dehydration (exicosis). Since rotavirus infection proceeds rapidly, incessant vomiting, diarrhea and high fever, especially in a baby, remove fluid from the body very quickly, which can lead to dysfunction of vital organs and death;
• dysbacteriosis. Incorrect or untimely treatment may threaten that the intestines will be populated by pathogenic flora, and the body, weakened from the infection and medicines, does not have enough natural resources to force it out;
• decrease in immunity. After recovery, the recovery capabilities of the immune system are significantly reduced.. A weakened body cannot resist viruses for a long time, so there is a risk of getting sick with rotavirus again or constantly suffering from respiratory infections.

At first glance, the mortality rate among children is low - only 3%. However, the sick are mostly children under the age of four, which is especially problematic.

Dehydration

One of the most dangerous consequences of rotavirus infection in children is intestinal exsicosis. This syndrome develops due to continuous vomiting and diarrhea. In the body, the water-salt balance is disturbed and there is a deficiency of electrolytes.

Dehydration usually doesn't happen overnight., however, with intestinal flu, not only loose stools and vomiting are observed, but also fever, so fluid is lost much faster. It is for this reason that the patient may die, and the main risk group is formed by babies up to a year old.

signs

The first signs of exsicosis are dry lips and skin. More severe conditions follow, namely:

• high fever that is not controlled by antipyretic drugs;
• dark urine, excreted in small quantities;
• kidney dysfunction, leading to acute renal failure;
• convulsions;
• heart failure.

The last two symptoms can lead to kidney failure, after which, due to severe intoxication, a person can fall into a coma and die.

Processes

At the first symptoms of dehydration in infants, an ambulance should be called immediately.. Acute renal failure is treated only in a hospital, but even the availability of appropriate equipment does not guarantee a quick recovery. It is not easy to make an accurate diagnosis, since the symptoms of rotavirus are similar to those of other serious infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: dysentery, cholera, salmonellosis. It is put only on the basis of the analysis of feces. Pathological processes that are a consequence of dehydration are as follows:

• water does not enter the circulatory system, so the blood thickens. It becomes difficult for the heart to pump thick blood through the arteries and vessels, and its rhythm begins to go astray;
• nervous disorders, delirium, lethargy and lack of sleep occur against the background of a lack of nutrition of nerve cells with glucose;
• food is not absorbed and cannot be digested, which leads to distension of the stomach;
• due to lack of nutrition of brain cells, hallucinations and fainting appear that precede coma;
• a strong decrease in immunity leads to constant infections with respiratory and intestinal infections.

Treatment

In no case should you be treated on your own - in a hospital, a baby or an adult, as a rule, is given intravenous injections of water-salt solutions to make up for fluid losses in the body. If the kidneys do not remove toxins, they enter the bloodstream and poison all organs and tissues, so the patient needs to connect a special device for hemodialysis and body cleansing, which cannot be done at home.

To avoid such a severe consequence of rotavirus as dehydration, when the first symptoms appear, you should drink at least two liters of water per day in small portions, so as not to further provoke diarrhea and vomiting. To eliminate dehydration, drugs are usually prescribed that restore the water-salt balance, for example, rehydron. As for complications after rotavirus infection in children, if the child's condition is stable and satisfactory, it is recommended to apply it to the breast as often as possible, since mother's milk is nutritious and disinfecting. In addition, it saturates the baby's body with fluid and soothes him.

Dysbacteriosis

Such an unpleasant consequence of rotavirus as dysbacteriosis may be the result of incorrect or delayed therapy, as a result of which pathogenic bacteria and drugs have disrupted the natural intestinal microflora. Young children under one year old are especially affected, since beneficial microorganisms have not yet fully populated their gastrointestinal tract.. Therefore, rotavirus infection can disrupt the child's metabolism for a long time.

Symptoms and course

The symptoms of this severe consequence are as follows:

• alkalization of microflora, which leads to the death of beneficial bacteria;
• persistent dyspeptic disorders: bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea;
• heterogeneity of feces: the presence in it of undigested pieces of food, mucus, lumps.

The patient ceases to secrete some digestive enzymes, useful substances and trace elements are not absorbed. Bifidobacteria die, and the pathogenic flora multiplies at lightning speed. Constant diarrhea threatens the development of irritable bowel syndrome, the appearance of gastritis, colitis. Vitamin B deficiency leads to gum disease, brittle hair and nails, and nervous disorders. There is a lack of iron in the body, which leads to a decrease in hemoglobin and anemia.

Treatment

Treatment of dysbacteriosis is a difficult and long process. The rotavirus survivor is prescribed prebiotics and probiotics and constantly monitors the state of the microflora by analysis. The patient must follow a special diet, in which there is a sufficient amount of dairy products, such as cottage cheese, cheese, kefir. Raw vegetables and fruits are prescribed with caution, basically everything should be cooked so as not to undermine the intestines even more. Oatmeal and rice porridge improve digestion and digest quickly, so their presence in the diet is mandatory.

In order to avoid such consequences of rotavirus infection in adults and children as dysbacteriosis, in the treatment of rotavirus, the patient is immediately prescribed drugs aimed at maintaining the natural microflora and containing lacto- and bifidobacteria.

What threatens the lack of adequate treatment

If left untreated, dysbacteriosis can lead to the following complications:

• the appearance of abscesses and ulcers on the skin;
• chronic inflammation of the rectum;
• persistent stomatitis;
• pancreatitis;
• accession of fungal infections and frequent manifestations of herpes;
• severe course of the common cold.

Immune system response

After a rotavirus infection, antibodies are produced in insufficient quantities, so it is very easy to get infected with it again after a couple of weeks. especially to a small child. Complications after rotavirus infection in adults are less common. Many do not become infected with rotavirus at all, which suggests that either the disease is asymptomatic, or the person has developed immunity due to repeated infections. Children under six years of age are at risk of re-infection, and antibodies to bacteria of the genus Rotavirus have been found more than once in older children.

To avoid undesirable consequences, in the first month after the illness, you need to protect the child from contact with the sick and try to increase his resistance to viruses with the help of vitamin complexes, good nutrition and an active lifestyle.

The consequences of rotavirus are quite serious and can cause many problems. Although the flu is highly contagious and preventive measures are not very effective, do not forget about hygiene, disinfecting hands and washing vegetables and fruits before eating them. If an infection has already occurred, remember that a timely visit to a doctor is the key to a quick recovery.

In which the intestinal tract and pharynx are affected, it is caused by RNA rotavirus.

Rotavirus in adults occurs with the same frequency as in children, only the course is milder. Other names for this disease are "flu", rotavirus gastroenteritis, stomach flu, rotavirus.

The causative agent is a virus of the Reoviridae family, genus Rotavirus. characterized by high survivability, they tolerate low temperatures and chlorine water. Most often they are found in dairy products, which is associated with the peculiarity of their preparation.

The causes of rotavirus in adults are carriers of the infection. transmitted by airborne droplets (coughing, sneezing, communication), as it affects the human oral cavity. The virus can enter the oral cavity through the alimentary route through contaminated food or water, dirty household items, because it leaves the human body with feces, which is why the disease is called "unwashed hands disease."

Outbreaks of the disease often develop in large groups, which leads to an epidemic. There are also isolated cases of the disease (sporadic). Most cases of the disease were registered during the cold season. In tropical countries, the disease is common throughout the year, with more frequent cases during cold rains.

A person becomes infected most often when personal hygiene is not observed, therefore, to prevent the development of the disease, take measures.

What are the symptoms associated with rotavirus?

The patient becomes dangerous to others from the moment of infection. The incubation period lasts about two days, acute - 3-7 days, recovery up to five days, in severe cases, the disease drags on up to three weeks.

A doctor should be consulted if a rotavirus infection is suspected, and the treatment should be the same. Most importantly - more liquid!

An important point in the treatment of the patient is the correct diet. Be sure to exclude dairy products, as they contribute to the development of diarrhea and deterioration of the patient's condition. Lactose is a favorable environment for the development of bacteria and infection.

Should be moderate and gentle, which will prevent pain attacks, dehydration and gastroenteritis. You can not force the patient to eat by force, so as not to provoke vomiting. Feed should be in small portions.

The most important thing in the diet should be a different liquid: water (drinking, non-carbonated mineral), rice broths, carrot broths, jelly (on water, jam, starch), decoctions of dried fruits.

Doctors prescribe a diet for a week or more, which includes liquid rice porridge on the water, boiled carrots, boiled potatoes, low-fat meat broths, low-fat fish, baked apples.

It is forbidden to use fatty, spicy and fried foods, spices, carbonated drinks, rich foods, legumes, sweets, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Hospitalization of the patient is carried out by the decision of the doctor in case of severe course and serious complications.

After recovery, you also need to adhere to a lactose-free diet; you cannot immediately return to your usual diet.
Prevention should always be carried out for everyone, even after the illness.

The most important thing is to observe personal hygiene: wash after the street, the toilet and before eating with soap, treat all food with hot water with a brush, boil water, check the expiration date of products, and carry out periodic wet cleaning in the house.

Isolate a sick person to prevent the spread of infection by airborne droplets.

During the flu period in winter, it is especially important to carry out prophylaxis by taking natural phytoncides (garlic and onion), which can also be consumed by pregnant women. In case of illness, report to medical institutions so that doctors can carry out prophylaxis among the population and prevent the spread of the virus.

Medical supervision consists in examination, questioning, measuring body temperature, observing the nature of the patient's stool for several days.

Carry out specific preventive measures. Developed and used two with attenuated virus, which are taken orally. They are distributed only in Europe and the USA.

After recovery, it is necessary to carry out a thorough disinfection in the room where the patient was, take preventive measures for the whole family (take antiviral drugs, be more attentive to complaints and symptoms).

Employees in contact with people, children, students are issued a special certificate of recovery, after testing the sick and receiving a negative result.

To be effective, you need to carry out complex therapy! Be sure to consult with doctors and follow their prescriptions in order to get rid of all symptoms and provide yourself with stable immunity to rotavirus! How not to confuse rotavirus infection with the flu can be found in the video:

A rotavirus infection is a type of severe intestinal infection that is caused by a rotavirus. This disease is called differently - intestinal or stomach flu, rotovirus gastroenteritis. All people without exception can become infected with a pathogenic microorganism, but small children under two years of age are at particular risk. Infection occurs from a sick person or a healthy person who is a carrier of the strain. Reproduction occurs in the gastrointestinal tract, from where the virus is excreted in the feces. Rotavirus infection in adults is not as severe as in children, but also requires consultation with an infectious disease specialist.

Ways of contracting the flu

Most people become aware of a rotavirus infection only after the first signs of the disease appear. According to medical statistics, the peak incidence occurs during the cold season, approximately from November to April.

The main mode of transmission is the fecal-oral route, in other words, it is an infectious disease - a disease of dirty hands. But sometimes disease-causing bacteria are transmitted through water and certain foods. So, rotavirus multiplies well in dairy products, and since coolness has a beneficial effect on it, it can live on products that are in the refrigerator.

In large groups of children, rotavirus infection can be manifested by severe diarrhea.. In a sick child, the gastrointestinal tract is affected, which is accompanied by poor digestion of food and severe dehydration.

Incubation period

The incubation period is the time that has passed between the entry of bacteria into the human body and the appearance of the first signs. This period is very individual, it depends on the general state of health and immunity. Rotavirus in adults can develop in a couple of hours or a few days.

From the moment the infection enters the body until the acute symptoms subside completely, a person is considered contagious.

Signs of illness

Symptoms of rotavirus disease in adults can be different. The disease can manifest itself as a typical food poisoning or start with cold symptoms.. Most often, the disease begins acutely in children and most adults, the symptoms look like this:

• A runny nose appears - discharge from the nose is liquid and transparent, as with rhinitis.
• Feels sore in the throat, like a cold.
• A person becomes lethargic, apathetic, causeless depression may begin.
• Body temperature rises, often to high values.
• Excruciating nausea begins, which ends with profuse vomiting.
• A few hours later, severe diarrhea begins. The stool is thin, frothy and very offensive.
• No appetite, severe pain in the stomach and stomach.
• There may be severe chills.

The disease can proceed without raising the temperature, on the contrary, the body temperature drops below the normal level. With rotavirus intestinal infection in adults, the symptoms and treatment differ from the course of the disease and therapy in children. In adults, the symptoms are often smoothed out, thanks to an established immune system, so many attribute the malaise to poor nutrition.

Signs of rotavirus infection in adults include abdominal rumbling, headache, and dizziness.. Dryness of the mucous membranes and discoloration of the skin can be observed, which usually indicates intoxication and dehydration of the body.

How to treat stomach flu

First aid for rotovirus is to solder the patient to avoid dehydration. For this purpose, it is better to use pharmaceutical preparations such as rehydron, but you can also give the usual drink - water, decoctions of dried fruits and herbs. It is important to give to drink in small portions and often, so as not to provoke bouts of vomiting.

It is impossible to use milk, coffee, strong tea and concentrated juices to solder the patient!

Treatment of rotovirus in an adult begins after the first symptoms appear, the treatment algorithm looks like this:

1. Medicines are given to restore the normal functioning of the digestive tract - smecta, enterosgel, bifidopreparations.
2. At high temperatures, antipyretics are taken. Paracetamol or ibuprofen tablets can be used. It is undesirable to use syrups, soluble tablets and powders., they contain too many flavors, preservatives and flavor enhancers, which will be bad for a sick stomach.
3. Symptomatic therapy is carried out, which is aimed at reducing sore throat and runny nose.
4. By agreement with the doctor, antiviral and antimicrobial drugs are started. Take these medications for at least 5 days.

Treatment with antibiotics for rotavirus infection is ineffective, so they should not be used. Antibacterial therapy for such a disease will lead to dysbacteriosis, but it will not be able to cure the virus.

What medications can be used

The list of drugs that can treat intestinal flu is quite extensive. These include adsorbents, probiotics, enzyme preparations, antiviral and antimicrobial medicines, as well as antipyretics, nasal drops and sore throat tablets:

• Adsorbents - atoxyl, smecta, polysorb, enterosgel. You can use any drug that is at home. If there is nothing suitable, they take ordinary activated carbon, which is taken according to the annotation. Smecta is good to take with severe diarrhea.
• Probiotics - in order to populate the gastrointestinal tract with beneficial microflora, the patient is prescribed linex, hilak.
• Antiviral drugs for rotovirus - Viferon or Cytovir is usually prescribed, but groprinosin can be used.
• Antimicrobial agents - are prescribed to suppress pathogenic microflora in the intestine. Most often, treatment is carried out with enterofuril or enterol.
• Enzyme preparations - to restore the work of the pancreas, the patient is prescribed festal, mizim or creon.
• Antihistamines - if a person is prone to allergic reactions, then the attending physician may prescribe allergy medications. These include loratadine, suprastin, zodak, claritin.

It must be remembered that a mouth infection in adults can be both mild and very difficult, so the treatment regimen is selected by the infectious disease specialist based on the severity of the disease and the general condition of the patient. If the disease is mild, then treatment can be carried out at normal home conditions, if the person's condition worsens, then urgent hospitalization in the infectious diseases department is necessary.

With a rotovirus infection, you can not self-medicate, as this can lead to serious consequences!

Treatment in a hospital

Treatment in a hospital is aimed at the rapid removal of toxins from the body and the prevention of dehydration. In addition, supportive therapy for the cardiovascular system is carried out. The treatment protocol looks like this:

• A number of tests are taken from the patient for laboratory tests - urine, blood, vomit, feces. Identification of the pathogen helps to immediately prescribe adequate treatment, which means that a person can be cured quickly.
• Intravenous glucose and saline are administered to prevent dehydration and quickly remove the symptoms of intoxication.
• If the patient has a temperature, injections of antipyretic drugs are prescribed. For adult patients, this may be paracetamol, analgin or ibuprofen. With chills, these medicines are combined with vasodilators.
• Adsorbents and rehydron are prescribed.
• If the work of the heart is disturbed, which is manifested by unstable pressure, chest pain and weakness, then the appointment of heart drugs and vitamins is indicated.

The condition of the victim may be so severe that he falls into an unconscious state and at the same time there is a violation of breathing. In this case, there are resuscitation measures.

Diet during the recovery period

Rapid recovery from an intestinal infection directly depends on dieting in the first days after acute symptoms subside. The patient's diet should include light and wholesome food, rich in vitamins and minerals.. The main list of products that a patient can drink and eat during the rehabilitation period looks like this:

• Fruit kissels, compotes, decoctions of raisins and dried apricots, tea with honey.
• Second broths from lean meats. You can boil veal or chicken without skins. The meat is brought to a boil, then this water is drained, new water is poured and boiled until tender.
• Kashi on the water. For cooking, you can take buckwheat, rice or oatmeal. The groats are pre-crushed, washed and boiled for a long time in a sufficient amount of water, a porridge of slurry should be obtained.
• Vegetable puree. For him, take potatoes and carrots, you can cook separately or together.
• Boiled chicken breast. Chicken cooked in broth is minced with a small addition of broth. It turns out a kind of pate, which is consumed in its pure form or added to mashed potatoes.
• Baked apples. They take apples of green varieties, cut out the stalk, cover with sugar and bake until tender.
• Well ripe bananas. If there are green areas on the fruits, then bananas are dipped in boiling water for a minute to neutralize the starch that is in unripe products.

Nutrition for rotavirus infection should be well balanced so that the gastrointestinal tract does not strain too much during food processing. During the recovery period, you need to reduce the consumption of carbohydrates and fats.

What not to eat with a rotavirus infection

With the intestinal flu, it is not recommended to eat dairy products, since it is in milk and its derivatives that bacteria multiply well. Do not offer the affected cabbage of all kinds, cucumbers and legumes, which cause severe bloating of the intestines and lead to severe inflammation.

Confectionery products are removed from the diet, especially pastries using yeast. Do not eat citrus fruits, pomegranates and pears.

Some doctors advise to consume dark chocolate in limited quantities during recovery for a quick recovery. But this can be done only with the consent of the doctor and with good general health.

It is strictly forbidden to feed a patient with a rotovirus infection with fried and smoked foods. The digestive tract and liver are very weak after an illness, and such food is a big burden for them.

What not to do with the stomach flu

To quickly cure rotovirus intestinal infection in children and adults, you should follow these recommendations:

• Antibacterial drugs should not be used to treat rotavirus, which not only will not improve the condition, but can also lead to a concomitant persistent infection.
• You can not force the patient to eat. Nothing bad will happen if a person goes hungry for about a day. This contributes to the rapid removal of toxic substances from the body and the removal of inflammation from the stomach and intestines.
• Do not give the victim alcoholic beverages. This will lead to greater irritation of the gastric mucosa and severe intoxication.

If you suspect a rotovirus infection, do not wash the patient's stomach at home or try to artificially induce vomiting. These actions will not bring recovery closer, but dehydration can cause.

Folk recipes for the treatment of rotovirus

Traditional medicine offers several effective recipes that can be used in both young children and adults. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before using these prescriptions. so that there are no unpleasant surprises.

Cinnamon

For many years, people have been using a remedy that can be taken by children and adults. Take a teaspoon of cinnamon and mix it with a teaspoon of elm bark powder. The fourth part of a teaspoon is dissolved in the oral cavity before each meal. For teenagers and adults, you can add a little red ground pepper to the mixture..

St. John's wort

St. John's wort helps to quickly recover from rotavirus infection. To prepare a decoction, take a tablespoon of vegetable raw materials and a glass of water, bring to a boil and leave for 20 minutes.

After that, the broth is filtered through several layers of gauze and a glass of boiled water is added. Drink a decoction of a third cup up to 3 times a day, an hour before meals. Store the drug in the refrigerator for no more than two days.

Blueberry

Only dry fruits are used to treat intestinal flu. because fresh can make diarrhea worse. Compotes are cooked from dry berries, which contribute to the normalization of the intestines.

Oslinnik is used for severe and debilitating diarrhea.. Brew a tablespoon of vegetable raw materials in 300 ml of water, then insist, filter and drink several times a day. Children are prescribed 1 teaspoon of decoction, and adults drink 1 tablespoon.

In addition to these recipes, healers of traditional medicine recommend giving the patient a decoction of rice with the addition of raisins, apples or dried apricots. To do this, take a liter of clean water, add a tablespoon of rice and a tablespoon of raisins (dried apricots), simmer for about half an hour, 10 minutes before the end of cooking, add a few slices of a green apple. The broth is cooled and filtered, given to the patient often, in small portions.

Features of the treatment of rotavirus infection in pregnant and lactating women

If a rotavirus infection is diagnosed in a pregnant woman, then treatment is prescribed with great caution, since many drugs cross the placental barrier and adversely affect the fetus. This is especially true for antiviral and enzyme medicines, which are prescribed only if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the possible risk to the unborn child.

The disease, which is mild, is treated at home, in compliance with all the recommendations of the attending physician. If the condition of the pregnant woman is severe, she is urgently taken to a medical facility.

When a breastfeeding mother is sick with intestinal flu, breastfeeding is stopped until the mother has completely recovered in order to avoid infection. Treatment of rotovirus infection is carried out according to the usual protocol, using antimicrobial and antiviral drugs.

Pregnant women can start taking medications only after coordinating treatment with an obstetrician-gynecologist. Only a narrow specialist can assess all the risks for the mother and fetus.

Consequences of a rotavirus infection

For a person with good health and immunity, the rotovirus itself does not pose a danger. But complications can cause a lot of trouble, and sometimes lead to death. The worst complication is severe dehydration., which causes malfunctions of organs and systems:

1. Kidneys are failing.
2. The blood thickens.
3. There are malfunctions in the work of the heart.
4. The functioning of the nervous system is disrupted.
5. The blood supply to brain cells is disrupted.

Intestinal flu, like any other infections, greatly weakens the human immune system., so collateral problems are often attached. Fungal diseases begin, hair falls out and chronic diseases of the digestive tract develop.

In order not to get dangerous complications, you should immediately consult a doctor as soon as the first symptoms of rotovirus appear. Only a qualified doctor can correctly diagnose and prescribe adequate treatment.

How to prevent rotovirus

Prevention of rotovirus infections in adults and children is to follow the rules of hygiene. It is not difficult to protect yourself and your loved ones from the disease if you follow these points:

• Buy and eat only high-quality and fresh products that are purchased at designated locations.
• Vegetables, fruits and berries are thoroughly washed with running water, and then poured over with boiling water.
• Buy dairy products only from trusted manufacturers, be sure to look at the tightness of the packaging and the expiration date.
• Wash your hands often, especially after going to the toilet or outside.
• If there are cases of illness in the children's team, then sick children are isolated, and the rest are observed.

Some doctors suggest getting vaccinated against rotovirus. But it cannot be said that this is a panacea for ills. The full effectiveness of the vaccine has not yet been proven, as it appeared only recently.. In addition, not all medical institutions have it, and the price for it is quite high. It is more logical to follow the usual rules of hygiene, and then the rotovirus infection will definitely not threaten.