Rotavirus infection. Symptoms and first signs of rotavirus infection in children: treatment and prevention of dirty hands disease

Rotavirus infection in children. Symptoms and treatment.

In the summer, various viral infections can become more active, including various kinds intestinal infections. One of them may be gastroenteritis of rotavirus origin, mainly affecting children. early age, from birth to 2-3 years, although these infections can also occur in adults weakened by stress, hot weather and other adverse factors.

common data

By definition, rotavirus infection or rotavirus gastroenteritis is called acute viral infection with the fecal-oral route of infection, predominantly occurring in childhood. This type infection is manifested by the phenomena of general toxicosis with serious condition, as well as lesions of the digestive organs - the stomach and small intestine, which manifests itself in repeated vomiting and diarrhea, which leads to symptoms of dehydration (or dehydration) of the body.

As with all other viral diseases, the peak incidence rotavirus infection usually occurs in the cool season, but in summer rotavirus becomes relevant due to cool and rainy weather, as well as some decrease in immunity due to extreme heat and violations of food hygiene. Although in the general series of intestinal infections in the summer, it occupies a less significant place than other intestinal infections.

Rotavirus infection is generally most dangerous for young children who do not have sufficient immune protection from viruses, and the most dangerous age for rotavirus is the interval from 6 months to 3-4 years. At an earlier age, children are protected by antibodies received from the mother through the placenta, therefore, infants are much more protected from such infections than artificial ones - they receive even additional portions of antibodies from breast milk. If they have an infection, it will flow more easily in infants. However, as the child grows older, the risk of the disease increases.

Cause of rotavirus infection- viruses of a special family of reovirides belonging to the rotavirus group. The virus got its name from the Latin term "rota" wheel. There are nine main types of rotaviruses, several of them occur in humans, and some only affect animals. Rotaviruses that infect domestic and wild animals are not dangerous to humans and vice versa. Rotavirus is highly resistant to the action of the external environment - it can persist for a long time in cool water, but amenable to the action of disinfectants.

The disease is spreading all over the world, they are sick in all countries and on all continents, and most of cases of rotavirus are registered in countries with a low sanitary culture and the level of development of medicine, in these countries many children with rotavirus die under two years of age.

Most often, children under three years of age get sick, although in the family of a sick child, adults can also become infected from it - mostly elderly or weakened people. Rotavirus infection can be asymptomatic, such cases can be detected in young children, but thanks to this, children acquire immunity and do not get sick in the future. The source of infection can only be a person who is a carrier or sick with rotavirus.

How can you get infected with rotavirus?

Based on the fact that viruses are widespread, therefore, it is not difficult for a child to become infected with rotavirus, it can be transmitted by adults and other children. Basically, rotavirus is a disease. dirty hands in its classical sense - it is transmitted through dirty hands, through food and toys, but in addition to this, it can be transmitted by airborne droplets– through talking, kissing and sneezing with a cough. Rotavirus can also be transmitted through food, and in summer the most relevant way of transmission of infection is through water - river water, tap water or water from a well. The virus swims and moves very well, can withstand freezing, it can stay in water for a long time.

From the very first days, the disease is manifested by a slight runny nose and a little pain in the throat, and therefore often the child's illness is mistaken for a cold, and if a high temperature also occurs with rotavirus, one can mistake rotavirus for the flu. However, rotavirus is not limited to the manifestations of colds and flu. The virus begins to spread throughout the gastrointestinal tract, disrupting the work digestive enzymes, intestinal glands and causing manifestations of intestinal infection (vomiting, diarrhea).
Main clinical manifestations rotavirus infection

The incubation period for rotavirus infection is usually short, averaging one to four days. The disease begins with acute manifestations- high temperature rises, sometimes up to 39-40 degrees, and the febrile period lasts up to two days. From the very first hours of the disease, vomiting is manifested, and repeated, first with food eaten, then with water. Nausea and vomiting can last up to two or three days.

Symptoms of intoxication join the manifestations of vomiting - headaches with chills and lethargy, lethargy and drowsiness. After about a day, a frequent liquid stool, it can occur up to ten or more times a day. Pain in the abdomen with diarrhea usually does not happen or it is not expressed sharply and slightly. In babies, the stool can be mushy and at the same time discolored, loose stools can last for about five days. All of these manifestations are often accompanied by lung phenomena runny nose and cough, minor sore throat. They pass quickly.

Rotavirus infection can be divided into three degrees of severity, with the most severe cases, the incubation period is short and lasts no more than 12-15 hours, and the disease begins acutely and violently, all typical manifestations are formed within a day from the onset of the disease, the fever is pronounced and difficult to go astray antipyretic drugs.

At mild form diseases in children and adults there is no high temperature, but there may be pain in the stomach and sternum, there may be nausea with vomiting. In the throat with this form of the disease, there may be redness of the throat, as well as mucous discharge, may increase cervical lymph nodes. But the most typical manifestations of rotavirus still remain gastrointestinal.

The most characteristic of rotavirus is the stool - it is liquid, watery, without mucus and blood, but if the course is severe, this is usually due to the addition secondary infection. Almost all children have vomiting, single or more often multiple, repeated within two to three days.

Abundant stools in combination with vomiting and signs of toxicosis can cause the most dangerous complication- dehydration (loss of body fluids). In most cases, dehydration is not severe - first or second degree, only in severe cases may occur severe degrees dehydration with the development of decompensated disorders of well-being and the state of the body. In severe situations, there are phenomena of acute kidney failure and circulatory disorders. Signs of rotavirus usually last for about two to six days.

AT acute period disease, the amount of urine may decrease, the urine is concentrated, protein in the urine, erythrocytes and leukocytes may be detected, the level of nitrogen in the serum may increase. A blood test can reveal leukocytosis, which is expressed due to lymphocytes, and then is replaced by leukopenia, while the erythrocyte sedimentation rate does not change.

Where to start therapy?

Usually, a rotavirus infection goes away on its own, it will be necessary to hospitalize the child in severe cases, with severe dehydration, which cannot be dealt with on its own - if the child has severe and repeated diarrhea, indomitable vomiting. Parents of a sick child need to monitor the condition of the baby so that dehydration does not occur. It is necessary to give the child to drink a lot and often, but when vomiting, this is done in small sips of 5-10 ml, so as not to provoke vomiting.

The importance of rotavirus should be given to dietary approaches - they feed the baby according to appetite, liquid and light food, mostly it will be light cereals, diet soups and vegetable puree, baked apples, dry bread. Milk and dairy products are excluded from the diet, juice is excluded, meat broths and meat products.

In addition, with rotavirus, it is imperative to call a doctor and carry out drug treatment, if necessary, only under his control. It is forbidden to give the child antiemetics and antidiarrheals, they can be dangerous for the baby, since vomiting and diarrhea - defensive reactions body, so it gets rid of toxins and viruses.

Prevention methods

Rotavirus can become a carrier and must be avoided so as not to pose a danger to others. So, one in five adults can be an asymptomatic carrier of rotavirus, infecting their children with it. Therefore, if a child is sick in the house, it is necessary to observe all hygiene measures, apply antiviral agents with a preventive purpose and not to contact children from other families (especially teachers, educators and doctors).

With rotavirus, isolation of a sick child for 10 days is necessary, they can be at home under the supervision of a doctor. In the apartment, current disinfection is carried out using the usual means - dishes and care items are boiled, all the child's linen is carefully washed. After recovery, it is necessary to carry out the final disinfection - general cleaning in the house.

Rotavirus is often transmitted through water, so you need to boil it, wash your hands regularly, and keep your home clean.

Today, a vaccine against rotavirus has been developed - rotatek and rotarix, but so far it has not been distributed in our country. It is used mainly in young children, the vaccine contains five main strains of the virus in order to form a complete immunity to the most common strains of rotavirus. The vaccine is given by mouth and does not require any complicated injections. It is possible that in the near future this vaccine will be included in national calendar vaccinations and it will be given to all babies.

Rotavirus infection- a disease that belongs to the category of acute intestinal infections.
The second name of the disease is "intestinal flu", also called "stomach flu".

Today, rotavirus infection is one of the most common causes of viral diarrhea in children and acute gastroenteritis. Children from six months to two years are most susceptible to intestinal flu. It is during this period that the formation of the immune system takes place, and children's body most susceptible to viral diseases. In older children and adults, intestinal flu is much less common, and more often it manifests itself only in the form of carriage. .

Spread of rotavirus infection

The most common route of transmission intestinal flu- food. The infection is referred to as the "dirty hands" disease. The causes of the disease can be unwashed infected products, primarily dairy products, untreated water, contacts with children suffering from intestinal flu. Before the child adapts to them, it will take some time. Until this happens, the children's body will be susceptible to bacteria. Epidemic outbreaks of intestinal flu occur in the cold months - from November to April.

Symptoms of rotavirus infection

intestinal flu is divided into three stages:

• incubation period, lasting from one day to five days;
• an acute period that lasts three to seven days. If the disease is severe, then this stage can last more than a week;
• recovery period, which lasts about 4-5 days.

Rotavirus infection characterized by an acute onset, the main symptoms of which are sharp rise fever, vomiting, often diarrhea. Many patients experience pain when swallowing, they develop nasal congestion. During the acute period of the disease, there is a lack of appetite and a breakdown. Small children with intestinal flu wake up lethargic, start acting up. They can feel sick in the morning, even on an empty stomach, vomiting with mucus is possible. An elevated temperature can last up to five days, and it is very difficult to bring it down. The child becomes sleepy and lethargic. If you choose the right treatment of rotavirus infection, it passes through 5-7 days. But you don't need to self-medicate. The same symptoms as those of intestinal flu occur with more serious illnesses such as salmonellosis or poisoning. Therefore, if a child fever accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea or nausea, you must call a doctor. If there are pains in the abdomen, it is better to call an ambulance.

Rotavirus infection in adults it is much easier than in children. Very often it is mistaken for a temporary indigestion caused by poor-quality products. An adult may have general weakness, loose stools, loss of appetite. In this case, intestinal flu can also be asymptomatic. This is explained more strong immunity and fitness gastrointestinal tract. But, if an adult gets sick with the intestinal flu, he becomes its carrier. If there are children around him, they can easily catch the infection and get sick.

Treatment of rotavirus infection

Treatment of the intestinal flu is aimed at restoring the water-salt balance, which is disturbed during illness, and preventing re-development infections. The main goal is to combat the consequences that arose as a result of infection. If a child develops symptoms of intestinal flu, then dairy and dairy products, as they are an ideal environment for the development of bacteria. It is not necessary to force the sick person to eat, it is better to offer him jelly or chicken bouillon. If the child asks for food, then you can give him rice porridge, welded on water, without the use of oil. But you need to remember that eating is best in small portions, so as not to cause vomiting. In addition, special drugs are used to help get rid of the consequences of the infection.

Rotavirus infection- acute viral disease; characterized by symptoms general intoxication, damage to the gastrointestinal tract, dehydration. accounts for about half of all intestinal disorders in children during the first 2 years of life.

The causative agent of the disease are rotaviruses, which are divided into two antigenic variants; stable in the environment. Reproduction and accumulation of rotavirus occurs mainly in upper divisions gastrointestinal tract.

Clinic

The incubation period lasts from 15 hours to 7 days (usually 1-2 days). The disease begins acutely. A detailed picture of the disease is formed within 12-24 hours from the onset of the disease. In children, expressed fever usually does not happen. Abundant liquid watery stools without admixture of mucus and blood are characteristic. More severe course usually due to layering of secondary infection. Half of the patients vomit. In adolescents against the background of moderately severe intoxication and subfebrile temperature pain appears in epigastric region, vomiting, diarrhea. Only in some patients vomiting is repeated on the 2-3rd day of illness. All patients have abundant watery stools with a pungent odor; sometimes cloudy whitish stools may resemble those of a cholera patient. Loud rumbling in the abdomen is characteristic. The urge to defecate is imperative, false calls can not be. In some patients, an admixture of mucus and blood is found in the stool, which always indicates a combination of rotavirus disease with bacterial infection(shigellosis, escherichiosis). These patients are more pronounced fever and intoxication. Large loose stools can lead to dehydration.

On palpation of the abdomen, pain is noted in the epigastric and umbilical regions, a rough rumbling in the right iliac region. The liver and spleen are not enlarged. The amount of urine in the acute period of the disease is reduced, in some patients albuminuria, leukocytes and erythrocytes in the urine are found; content rises residual nitrogen in blood serum. At the beginning of the disease, there may be leukocytosis, which is replaced by leukopenia during the height of the disease; ESR is not changed.

Diagnosis

Recognition takes into account clinical symptoms and epidemiological background. The diagnosis is confirmed by the detection of rotavirus in the stool. various methods(electron microscopy, immunofluorescent method, etc.). Are of lesser importance serological studies(RSK and others).

Treatment

The basis is primarily the restoration of fluid and electrolyte losses. When dehydrated I-II degree solutions are given orally. Liquids (tea, fruit drink, mineral water) are recommended.

Prevention

Patients are isolated for 10-15 days. In mild cases, patients can stay at home under medical supervision if treatment and sufficient isolation are provided. Carry out current and final disinfection. Specific prophylaxis not developed.

Be healthy!

This information is for informational purposes only. Remember that you cannot self-medicate! At the first signs of the disease, you should consult a doctor!

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Rotavirus infection!

Rotaviruses - one of the forms of acute intestinal infection, the causative agent of which is human Rotavirus from the genus Rotavirus.

Spreading: The main mechanism of transmission of rotaviruses is alimentary, involving different ways and multiple transmission factors.

Rotavirus can be contracted in a variety of ways. This infection can also be attributed to “diseases of dirty hands”.

With each infection, immunity to this type of virus is developed, and subsequent infections with this type are easier. The disease occurs both sporadically and in epidemic outbreaks. The nature of the incidence is clearly seasonal.

Disease development: The virus penetrates the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. The disease proceeds with vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea for 1-2 days. Stool frequency 10-15 times a day. General character disease is cyclical. In one cycle, an incubation period (1-5 days) is allocated, an acute period (3-7 days) - recovery (4-5 days). Rotavirus infection is characterized by an acute onset - vomiting, a sharp increase in temperature, and diarrhea, often very characteristic stools - on the second, third day, gray-yellow and clay-like. In addition, most patients develop a runny nose, redness in the throat, they experience pain when swallowing. In the acute period, there is no appetite, a state of loss of strength is observed. The disease is considered childhood because the bodies of adults are more protected from rotaviruses. Usually, if there is an infected person in the family or in the team, then within 3-5 days, the rest will also start to fall ill in turn. It is possible to prevent infection from a carrier of infection in the case of an active immune system.

Treatment: sorbents may be prescribed ( Activated carbon, dioctahedral smectite, attapulgite). Effective antiviral drugs to combat active rotavirus infection does not exist.

In the process of treatment - a strict diet: cereals on the water, apple compote.Eliminate dairy products until complete recovery .

WHO recommends preventive vaccination as an effective remedy against rotavirus infection..

Prevention: prevention isin compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards (washing hands, using only boiled water for drinking), cleaning and chlorinating tap water .

Caution: rotavirus infection!

Does your child have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose, cough, intoxication, and a temperature above 37.5? In this case, it can be assumed that he contracted a rotavirus infection. What to do? Should I run to the hospital or be treated at home? How to protect yourself and other family members from illness? These and many other questions about rotavirus infection are answered by the doctor of the Academic Medical Center "Family and Healthy Generation", Associate Professor of the Department of Preventive Pediatrics, infectious pathology and Clinical Immunology of the Medical Academy Sofya Evgenievna Chashchina.

- Sofya Evgenievna, please tell us how many viral diarrheas there are, and what is a rotavirus infection?

There are a lot of viral diarrhea. To date - about 120 varieties of viruses can cause loose stools in children, high temperature, vomiting, and catarrhal symptoms. These are astroviruses, and caliciviruses, and enteroviruses, and adenoviruses: In general, 75% of all diarrheas are viral diarrheas.Rotavirus infection is characterized by damage to the digestive tract - repeated vomiting and copious watery stools, general intoxication, dehydration.

How can you get rotavirus infection?

The main ways are alimentary and contact-household. The first way is infection with infected water or food, the second is through care items: nipples, pacifiers, bottles, toys, dirty hands of adults, dirty mother's dressing gown (which a child can "lick"). Very often, infection occurs through boiled water.

- What time of the year do viral diarrheas mostly occur?

They mainly occur during the cold season - these are diseases of the winter period. Butin the UralsPrimorye very often cold snaps occur both in spring and summer. Therefore, on cold days, the likelihood of catching rotavirus increases. The decrease in the incidence occurs with warming.Drink boiled water and beware of cold weather:

- What are the symptoms of rotavirus infection?

The disease usually starts with catarrhal symptom(runny nose, cough, sore throat). At the same time, repeated vomiting opens, and then, copious watery stools. The temperature is usually above 37.5, and very often rises to 39 degrees. And for adults, a temperature of under 40 is generally characteristic, indomitable vomiting, but there is no diarrhea.

- What can these symptoms lead to?

Since young children vomit and watery stools, this can lead to dehydration. An adult can cope with this, because he feels thirsty and drinks a lot, so he quickly gets out of this state. But to a small child dehydration is very dangerous!Dehydration in young children leads to impaired water-salt metabolism, therefore, the likelihood of developing renal failure is high, and it can lead to death. Therefore, if the child has repeated vomiting several times, the stool is more than 6-7 times a day, and he rarely urinates (do not urinate for 6 hours), then immediate hospitalization is necessary.

- Is it true that the disease proceeds very quickly, but begins suddenly and acutely?

Yes this is true. Very fast withdrawal into toxicosis with dehydration, in just a few hours. But at the same time, if adequate treatment is carried out, then the child can get out of a difficult condition within a day.

- What is the latent period of the disease?

From two hours to seven days.

- And in what period is the patient contagious?

Since the onset of catarrhal symptom, vomiting and diarrhea. That is, as long as there is no discharge, the child is not contagious. But as soon as some discharge began, it becomes dangerous for others. As soon as recovery has come, it ceases to be contagious.

- Do people get sick with rotavirus infection, as a rule, one by one, or does everyone around them get infected?

This infection gives focal morbidity in limited groups, for example, kindergartens or nurseries, children's homes: Very often this infection gives morbidity in the family, that is, there are family foci.

- Who gets sick first - adults or children?

The first, as a rule, children get sick, and after the children - adults. Moreover, children are more susceptible to these diseases. younger age. The most susceptible age is children from 6 months to 5 years, although older children can also get sick.

Why are children more susceptible to rotavirus infection?

Because babies have their own physiological features. The fact is that in young children, acidity gastric juice different from the acidity of the stomach of an adult. The gastric acid barrier does not protect the baby. In children the immune system not yet matured to the same degree as in an adult. Particularly lacking is secretory immunoglobulin, which lines the mucosa oral cavity and mucous membranes digestive tract. Due to the deficiency of such antibodies, childhood more susceptible to disease.

- That is, adults rarely get sick?

Yes, but they still hurt. Patients with chronic diseases digestive tract susceptible to viral diarrhea. This is especially true for people with gastritis, which are accompanied low acidity. Healthy adults are the most likely carriers of rotaviruses, thus becoming a source of infection.

How to treat rotavirus infection?

It is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible after the first symptoms. Treatment consists of plentiful drink and receiving smecta, basic therapy the doctor prescribes. In no case should you take enzymes in the first days of the disease! The fact is that the composition of any enzyme includes proteases that contribute to the introduction of rotavirus into the epithelium of the intestinal mucosa.Plentiful drink + smecta

- "Plentiful drink" - how much?

To have an effect, you need to drink about a tablespoon of liquid every 20 minutes, and the liquid must be alternated (for example, a spoonful of salt, a spoonful of boiled water, or tea, fruit drinks, rice water). As a rule, within 6 hours the use of solutions and smecta leads to a significant improvement in the condition. The amount of fluid required is calculated by the doctor depending on the age of the child and the amount of fluid loss, for example, a child with weight 8 kg you need at least 800 ml.

- What do you mean by "saline solution"?

Regidron, glucosalan: But in such a solution as gastrolith contains not only salt, but also chamomile extract, and chamomile disinfects the intestines very well!

- What can not be consumed with rotavirus infection?

For rotavirus gastroenteritisthe patient is completely unable to tolerate milk. Cow's milk should be excluded from the diet. Rotaviruses are resistant to environmental factors, withstand the action of ether, chloroform, ultrasound; they are not destroyed by repeated freezing. The disinfectant for them is 95% ethanol, more effective than chloramine, formaldehyde, etc. The virus loses its infectivity when boiled, treated with strong acids and alkalis.

What is the best thing to eat during this period?

Children older three years give sour fruit drinks (cranberry, currant, lingonberry). Exclude milk porridge.

- And yet, is it better to hospitalize the child, or can it be treated at home?

Light and worn forms can be treated at home under the supervision of a local pediatrician.If the child is older than a year, and he is weakened (often sick), it is also better to be hospitalized. Well, and, of course, in severe forms, hospitalization of the child is required! Older children are left at home, subject to strict adherence to the prescribed treatment and the rules of sanitary hygiene.

Often, as a result of transferred rotavirus gastroenteritis, intestinal dysbacteriosis is formed. Therefore, after an illness for a month, you need to take biological products.

- Is there a prevention of rotavirus infection?

Desirableconstantly use boiled water, not only for drinking, but even for washing dishes . Perfectly rotaviruses are destroyed laundry soap, ordinary toilet, any washing powders. When these elementary hygiene rules are followed, the spread of rotavirus does not occur.

And bottled water can contain viruses, so it’s better to boil it too.Fruit washed under the tap, it is advisable to scald with boiling water! Adult family members should not forget to wash their hands after using the toilet, cleaning the apartment, coming from the street, before preparing food.Teach children to wash their hands after using the toilet, walking, etc. After all, in fact, any intestinal infection It's a disease of dirty hands!

- After the disease, a person develops immunity?

Unfortunately, the immune system is not strong, so the child can get sick with this infection more than once. Now in Russia (namely in Yekaterinburg) a vaccine against rotavirus is being tested. The fact is that there are vaccines abroad that work successfully. For example, in America, in France, vaccination against rotavirus infection is included in the national calendar. So we have developed such a vaccine in our country, on this moment she is being checked. If the testing is successful, it is possible that soon all children at the age of three months will be vaccinated. And then, I think, we will cope with this infection.