Intestinal infections of a viral nature. Intestinal flu: symptoms, methods of transmission and protection against the virus

Diseases caused by a viral infection and having a number of characteristic features are popularly called intestinal or stomach flu. In fact, such an acute pathology associated with damage to the intestinal mucosa, in fact, is not the flu. Diseases are provoked by ARVI viruses of the Rotavirus or Reoviridae order, which penetrate the human body along with water and food, as well as through household and airborne droplets.

In medicine, intestinal flu is called gastroenteritis or, in another way, rotavirus infection. So, what is the danger of such a pathology for the patient? How is it transmitted and how to treat the disease? And is it possible to avoid infection?

The mechanism of the development of the disease

Like the common flu, gastroenteritis is passed from an infected person to healthy children and adults. At the same time, you can get such a stomach infection in many ways:

contact with a carrier of the virus;
bathing in pools and ponds or drinking unboiled water;
in kindergarten through toys;
if you don't wash your hands;
when ingesting contaminated products.

Having penetrated into the human body, the intestinal flu virus is activated and begins to multiply rapidly, affecting the cells of the intestinal epithelium. After 16-18 hours after infection, the cells affected by the virus are completely destroyed. Their remains fall off or are exfoliated into the intestinal lumen, accumulate in the lower gastrointestinal tract and are excreted along with feces. At the same time, the exposed villi of the upper part of the small intestine or duodenum 12 begin to swell and change shape, and the depth of the crypts rapidly increases in the upper balls of the intestinal mucosa.

Important! The intestinal form of influenza poses a serious danger to children whose immune system is not fully formed. And also for the elderly, whose immunity is already sufficiently weakened.

Symptoms and external manifestations

The first signs of the stomach flu are absolutely similar to the symptoms of a cold. In the first hours after infection, patients may experience a slight runny nose, sneezing and coughing, pain when swallowing, sore throat, slight chills.
However, these signs quickly disappear, and completely different symptoms take their place:

frequent loose stools up to 10 times a day. At the same time, abundant stools of a yellowish-gray color and a clay-like consistency are observed, but without inclusions of blood and mucus. At first, they have a sharp unpleasant odor;
sharp pains in the abdomen, accompanied by rumbling and spasms;
increasing nausea and occasional urge to vomit, leading to rapid dehydration;
increasing weakness, drowsiness and apathy;
an increase in body temperature to subfebrile (sometimes high) indicators.

At the same time, the manifestation of such symptoms in children and adults can be a sign of other intestinal infections - cholera, salmonellosis, food poisoning. Therefore, at the first manifestations of the disease, you should contact a medical institution for help. Timely diagnosis of intestinal flu will help to save not only the health of the patient, but in some cases his life.

Important! Intestinal flu in a child often requires immediate hospitalization and inpatient treatment. This means that parents need to urgently call a pediatrician or an ambulance if even 1-2 symptoms of the disease are found (especially if it is diarrhea or vomiting). Untimely medical care can lead to the death of the baby.

Diagnosis and treatment

As such, there is no specific medical treatment for rotavirus infection. This means that the whole complex of therapeutic measures is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of intestinal flu and strengthening the body's defenses in the fight against a viral infection.

To clarify the diagnosis, the attending physician may prescribe additional examinations, including:

a general blood test, the result of which may show a decrease in the total number of leukocytes and a predominance of lymphocytes and monocytes (this speaks in favor of a viral infection);
a general urine test in the presence of gastroenteritis will show an increase in its density;
a biochemical blood test makes it possible to determine the increase in the concentration in the blood of the indirect fraction of bilirubin, as well as ALT and AST.

Intestinal flu should be treated only under the supervision of a doctor, following all his recommendations and wishes. Treatment consists of taking medications that normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract and a special diet. To restore the body should take:

enterosorbents - Smecta or Polysorb;
as part of rehydration therapy - the drug Regidron. It must be taken every 20-30 minutes to restore the water-salt balance in the body;
enzymes that improve digestion - Creon or Pancreatin;
drugs against diarrhea - Furazolidone or Enterofuril.

After intensive therapy and elimination of the symptoms of the disease, probiotics are prescribed to restore the beneficial intestinal microflora - Linex, Bifiform, Hilak forte. It is not recommended to take antibiotics to fight the virus, as these drugs completely destroy both aggressive and beneficial intestinal microflora. By killing the intestinal flu with the help of such drugs, you can get a dangerous complication in return - dysbacteriosis.

Important! Gastroenteritis is a serious disease, sometimes requiring hospital treatment. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to engage in self-treatment and uncontrolled intake of traditional medicine. Self-medication can even lead to death.

Diet in case of illness and prevention

A special diet is an effective supplement in the treatment of intestinal flu and an excellent tool for quickly recovering from an illness. The most useful are:

herbal decoctions with chamomile, rose hips, strong green and black tea;
semolina, rice or oatmeal liquid porridge cooked on water;
vegetable soups made from potatoes, carrots, onions, zucchini, beets;
lean broths from skinless chicken, turkey, rabbit, lean beef.

Food should be taken in small portions, in a warm form, every 3-4 hours.

At the same time, the following should be excluded from the diet for a while:

raw vegetables and fruits;
natural juices;
grain bread;
whole milk, butter, cheeses;
cereals;
smoked meats;
legumes;
canned foods;
chocolate and coffee.

It is also forbidden to smoke, eat fatty, spicy and fried foods, alcoholic and carbonated drinks.
Undoubtedly, stomach flu is easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, it is very important to follow a number of rules for the prevention of this disease, namely:

wash hands after coming from the street, visiting the toilet and before eating;
wash fruits and vegetables consumed raw in plenty of running water (you can pre-soak them in a 3% vinegar solution for several minutes);
use only boiled water (even if it is from a well or spring);
wash children's toys and pour boiling water over them more often;
Avoid swimming in open water.

Important! The virus of the Reoviridae group is resistant to the influence of the external environment, it perfectly tolerates cold and low temperatures. At the same time, simple preventive measures make it possible to destroy the virus before it enters the body, and will not become infected with a dangerous and insidious intestinal flu.

) is an infectious disease characterized by damage to the intestinal mucosa by rotavirus. This virus is quite contagious and poses a danger to others. In this article, we will look at the symptoms and treatment of intestinal flu, talk about prevention.

You can get infected with rotavirus in various ways: through saliva, feces and vomit of a sick person, personal hygiene items and airborne droplets. Almost everyone has had rotavirus infection to one degree or another. This disease can provoke small epidemic outbreaks (in schools and kindergartens), and may also have a sporadic focus. Gradually, the body gets used to the effects of the virus and each time the disease begins to manifest itself less pronounced, but at the same time the person is a carrier of the disease and is able to infect others.

Intestinal flu in Russian latitudes is a fairly common disease that has a seasonal nature (it is recorded most often in the autumn-winter period). Children take it the hardest.

Signs of a rotavirus infection

The disease begins acutely with a rise in body temperature, the appearance of pain in the abdomen and stool disorders.

Acute onset of the disease. After a short incubation period (2-3 days), the body temperature rises sharply, signs of a febrile syndrome appear, vomiting begins, and. The discharge can change color, sometimes streaks of blood appear in the feces. The acute period of the disease can last for 7 days.
Abdominal pain. A person with rotavirus infection experiences spastic pain in the abdomen of varying intensity.
Runny nose, sore throat, sneezing. Often, stomach flu develops just before an outbreak and may be accompanied by common signs of a viral infection.
Loss of appetite, weakness. For 7-10 days of illness, the human body can be severely depleted, facial features become sharper, blood pressure may decrease and signs of mild anemia (low hemoglobin, dizziness, pallor) may appear.

It occurs at any age, but most often the development of this disease affects young children (due to the low acidity of gastric juice and the habit of taking foreign objects in their mouths) and people with weakened immune systems. Antiviral drugs do not have a detrimental effect on rotaviruses.

Intestinal flu can directly threaten the life of the baby, so if you experience frequent, profuse vomiting and diarrhea, contact your pediatrician immediately.

First aid for children with intestinal flu:

provide the baby with a warm, fortified drink (compote, tea or boiled water);
make sure that the child (especially in infancy) does not choke on vomit and does not remain alone;
during sleep, the baby's head should be strictly turned on its side, it is better to slightly raise the head end of the bed;
monitor body temperature, if necessary, give antipyretics;
if the child does not refuse food, then feed him only with natural products, steamed or boiled (liquid cereals and soups on the water, vegetable puree).

Be sure to consult a doctor, because such a disease in childhood requires particularly careful diagnosis and timely treatment. Sometimes, under the symptoms of intestinal flu, an additional infectious process can be hidden, and delay in treatment threatens with serious consequences for the child's health, including death. As a rule, the treatment of preschool children suffering from a severe form of intestinal influenza is carried out in a hospital.

Principles of treatment of rotavirus infection

Rehydration therapy (ingestion of an isotonic solution and drugs that replenish the loss of fluid and nutrients).
Appointment of sorbents (activated carbon) and medications that relieve bloating and (probiotics).
Compliance with the diet. With rotavirus infection, a sparing diet is recommended, excluding fried, fatty, dairy products, carbonated drinks and juices. It is advisable to use cereals cooked in water, vegetable soups, dried fruit compotes, jelly.
Semi-bed rest and isolation of the patient from healthy people are shown.
With severe vomiting, it is possible to use antiemetic drugs.

Prevention of the development of intestinal flu

As a specific prophylaxis against intestinal flu, vaccination is provided. Nonspecific prevention consists in observing the rules of personal hygiene. It is recommended to drink only purified and treated water (especially during outbreaks of respiratory viral infections), wash hands after visiting public places, eat only clean vegetables and fruits. When swimming in ponds and pools, avoid swallowing water.

Which doctor to contact

Severe cases of intestinal flu are treated by an infectious disease specialist. With a mild form, it is enough to consult a pediatrician or therapist.

The danger of the disease lies in the fact that people often confuse it with an intestinal infection and do not take the necessary first aid measures. In adults with strong immune systems, this form of influenza may be asymptomatic, but is still contagious.

The reasons

How is the stomach flu transmitted?

There are 3 ways:

food . The cause of the disease can be the use of unwashed vegetables and fruits, unboiled tap water, as well as non-compliance with hygiene rules (dirty hands, using someone else's dishes, etc.).
Airborne . Viruses are spread in the air when a sick person sneezes, coughs, and even talks normally. When you are close to him, infection occurs.
Contact household . The virus is transmitted through the use of common items with a sick person: pencils, computers, doorknobs, etc. This method of transmission is typical for crowded places - schools, offices, shops.

People with reduced immunity are more susceptible to intestinal flu: those with chronic diseases, children, pregnant women, the elderly. The causative agent of this infection has a very high viability, it is not destroyed when exposed to ordinary soap, it can withstand freezing and heating up to 60 ° C. It dies when boiled, treated with disinfectants with chlorine.

What happens in the body when infected?

When infected, the virus enters the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. The incubation period of intestinal flu begins, which lasts up to 5 days. How quickly the disease develops and how hard it will proceed depends on the concentration of the pathogen and the state of immunity.

30-40 minutes after infection, the virus is already in the mucous membrane of the small intestine and destroys its structure. As a result, the secretion of digestive enzymes that break down complex carbohydrates is reduced. These compounds accumulate, attract fluid, and diarrhea develops.

After 20 hours, the infected cells die and are shed. Then they leave the digestive tract along with feces, becoming an external source of infection.

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal influenza begins acutely, symptoms appear after the end of the incubation period, on average after 2-3 days. Characterized by a sharp rise in temperature, the development of fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Feces can be of various colors, sometimes with blood streaks.

The acute period of the intestinal form of influenza lasts about 7 days, the following symptoms are observed:

spastic abdominal pain of varying intensity;
nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing;
pain or sore throat;
decreased appetite;
weakness.

Often, intestinal flu precedes the usual one, and then the symptoms of the associated disease gradually increase: muscle pain, chills, a second wave of temperature rise.

If the infection was severe, then by the time of recovery, there is an exhaustion of the body, a sharpening of facial features, a decrease in blood pressure, mild anemia with dizziness and pallor of the skin.

Diagnostics

Intestinal flu in adults with stable immunity manifests itself smoothly, in other categories of the population it is often similar to food poisoning, dysbacteriosis and other diseases of the digestive tract.

Therefore, the diagnosis of rotavirus infection requires laboratory tests:

general blood test to determine the level of leukocytes, ESR;
general urinalysis to detect erythrocyturia, leukocyturia;
passive hemagglutination;
RIF - immunofluorescence reaction or Koons method;
RSK - complement fixation reaction.

The list of diagnostic procedures may be less or more, depending on the clinical picture of the disease. The last 4 analyzes are most often performed on a paid basis.

First aid for intestinal flu

If an adult is suspected of having intestinal flu, measures should be taken to prevent dehydration before visiting a doctor and starting treatment. Diarrhea and vomiting lead to rapid fluid loss.

What to drink with intestinal flu? Tea, compote or just water is best. Nutrition should consist mainly of natural grated dishes: cereals, mashed potatoes, soups.

If a child is sick, then you can not leave him alone. It is necessary to ensure that the baby does not choke on vomit. To do this, during sleep, you need to raise the upper end of the bed, turn your head to one side. With a sharp increase in temperature, you can give an antipyretic drug (Paracetamol, Nurofen).

Treatment Methods

Treatment for intestinal flu is always complex. The first step is to eliminate dehydration. With a large loss of fluid, infusion therapy is carried out: drugs are administered intravenously to restore the water-electrolyte balance and normalize metabolic processes (Rehydron, Oralit, colloidal solutions).

If dehydration is not severe, then drinking is enough. The amount of fluid to be taken is calculated by the doctor based on the patient's body weight and the severity of symptoms: vomiting and diarrhea. It is necessary to drink in small portions every 10-15 minutes.

There is no specific cure for stomach flu. The treatment is aimed at reducing the intoxication of the body and normalizing the water-salt metabolism.

For this, they are assigned:

Enterosorbents are drugs that bind toxins in the intestines and help to remove them (Activated carbon, Polysorb, Smecta).
Antidiarrheal, antimicrobial drugs (Enterofuril, Stopdiar, etc.);
Enzymatic preparations (Furazolidone).
Probiotics (Bifiform, Bifidumbacterin, Lineks).

Antibiotics for intestinal flu are not prescribed, since their action is aimed at eliminating bacteria, not viruses. In addition, drugs in this group lead to dysbacteriosis - an imbalance in the intestinal microflora, which only exacerbates symptoms such as diarrhea, flatulence.

How to treat intestinal flu in an adult, the doctor must decide. Sometimes others join this disease, and then the list of drugs will be wider.

stomach flu during pregnancy

Intestinal flu often develops during pregnancy, as at this time there is a natural decrease in immunity. The difficulty in identifying the disease lies in the fact that often a woman takes his symptoms for toxicosis: nausea, vomiting, weakness, diarrhea.

The virus itself does not pose a threat to the fetus, it develops only in the intestines of a woman. But the danger is dehydration, general weakness of the body, anemia, low blood pressure. All this leads to a decrease in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the unborn child.

There is fetal hypoxia, intrauterine growth retardation, and in severe cases - miscarriage, premature birth. Therefore, it is extremely important for expectant mothers to monitor their condition and consult a doctor at the first suspicion of an infection.

Complications of the intestinal flu

If you start fighting dehydration in time and taking pills, suspensions and powders , the prognosis for intestinal flu is favorable. When the disease is severe, hypotension, anemia, and cardiovascular insufficiency may develop. In the absence of medical care, a fatal outcome is not ruled out. According to statistics, about 2.5% of cases of rotavirus infection end in death.

Having been ill with the intestinal flu once, a person becomes less susceptible to the virus. If there is a re-development of the disease, then the symptoms are much less pronounced or completely absent.

Prevention

There is a specific prevention of intestinal flu – vaccination. The rotavirus vaccine is called Rotarix. It is a drop for introduction into the oral cavity. To develop immunity, it is necessary to use the drug in 2 stages, with a break of at least 4 weeks.

Nonspecific prophylaxis of intestinal flu is as follows:

compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, frequent and thorough washing of hands, the use of individual dishes, towels, brushes;
drinking only purified and treated water;
careful selection of products, washing fruits and vegetables, compliance with expiration dates and storage rules;
when bathing, avoid accidental ingestion of water.

Prevention of intestinal flu after communication with the patient is to increase the body's resistance to infectious agents. It is recommended to start taking immunostimulants, restore sleep and nutrition, avoid physical and mental overload. But the effectiveness of emergency measures is lower than those carried out in advance.

Features of nutrition during and after the disease

The diet for intestinal flu in adults and children involves a sparing and soft diet. From the daily diet, you need to exclude all foods that irritate the intestines: spicy, sour, seasoned, fatty, smoked, as well as hot and cold. You will also have to give up milk and dishes from it, fresh fruits and vegetables, confectionery and sweets.

What can you eat with the stomach flu? The best option is slimy cereals on the water, stewed and mashed vegetables, mashed soups, rice water, jelly, dry bread. In order not to overload the digestive system, you need to eat in small portions and often.

Diet after the intestinal flu is based on the same principles. It is worth switching to the usual diet gradually, over 3-4 weeks.

Influenza is an infectious disease that affects the digestive tract, mainly the small intestine. Manifested by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever.

Due to the similarity with other diseases of the digestive tract, laboratory diagnostic data are necessary for an accurate diagnosis: a general blood and urine test, PCR, etc. Treatment is based on the elimination of symptoms, dehydration. Prevention can be specific (vaccination) and non-specific (prevention of infection).

Useful video about the treatment of intestinal flu

The environment is inhabited by millions of microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses. In the course of normal life, a person always comes into contact with pathogenic microflora. Microbiology has about 10 thousand different bacteria. When harmful microbes enter the human body, under the condition of weakened immunity, some infectious diseases and inflammatory processes may develop. Infections, viruses, bacteria sooner or later meet on the way of each person. Infectious diseases are the most frequent and widespread diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, both in childhood and in adults.

An intestinal infection is a disease that is characterized by the fact that harmful microbes settle in the intestines, which provoke a violation of the digestive processes. Infectious bowel diseases include: salmonellosis, cholera, dysentery, rotavirus, staphylococcal infection and others.

The Salmonella bacterium causes the development of a disease such as salmonellosis. Salmonella enter the small intestine, attach to its walls, causing severe intoxication. Salmonellosis develops rapidly, from 6 hours to 3 days after the bacterium enters the body. Salmonellosis is accompanied by a disorder of the functions of the nervous system, a violation of vascular tone. The disease is contagious. Salmonellosis is quite difficult to tolerate in childhood.

In addition to salmonellosis, bacteria of the genus Salmonella provoke a disease such as typhoid fever. The disease is characterized by intoxication, fever, skin rashes. The bacterium infects the lymphatic system of the small intestine.

Escherichiosis is an infectious disease caused by Escherichia coli. These bacteria are present in the body of every person and make up the normal intestinal microflora. However, as a result of the mutation, harmful strains of bacteria are produced that have a negative effect on the body. They can cause diarrhea, dysbacteriosis, and if they enter the abdominal cavity, they can provoke the development of peritonitis.

The stomach flu is caused by a rotavirus infection that is transmitted in a variety of ways. Infection leads to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and small intestine, which provokes the development of diseases such as enteritis, gastritis. The toxic effect of viruses leads to disruption of the digestive processes, which is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea. Rotavirus infection is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, which is a protective reaction of the immune system to a pathogenic pathogen. This feature distinguishes intestinal flu from other viral diseases, diseases of the digestive tract. The infection will also provoke inflammation of the respiratory system.

Staphylococcal infections are caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Getting into the body through the skin, mucous membranes, airborne droplets, they begin to produce toxic substances, which causes serious harm to the body. However, staphylococcus bacteria are prone to mutation, so they become not susceptible to certain types of antibiotics, which greatly complicates treatment.

Dysentery is an infectious disease caused by the Shigella bacteria. They mainly affect the large intestine, causing irritation and intoxication. Poisonous waste products of bacteria are absorbed into the blood and have a negative effect on the digestive organs, as well as the cardiovascular, nervous systems.

Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae that affects the small intestine. The disease is very dangerous because it can cause dehydration and lead to death.

Enterovirus infection is caused by enteroviruses, which include several types of viruses. The disease is characterized by the fact that the virus, entering through the respiratory tract, settles on the mucous membranes and causes inflammation and diseases such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis. Then, with the blood, they are carried throughout the body, affecting the nerve and muscle tissues. Enteroviruses are capable of provoking the appearance of various pathologies: myalgia, encephalitis, serous meningitis, enteroviral diarrhea, and others.

Causes of infection in the intestines

Bacteria involved in the digestive process live in the human body, namely in the intestines. If foreign microorganisms enter, and the immune defense is weak, this leads to intestinal infections. The cause of infections in adults and children is contact with a carrier of the disease. The incubation period begins before the initial symptoms of the disease appear and can last up to 14 days after cure. Therefore, violation of the rules of personal hygiene and other factors can increase the risk of contracting an infection through contact, even with apparently healthy people.

The infection has several ways of transmission:

fecal-oral. Microorganisms are found in the feces and in case of insufficient hand hygiene after defecation, the hands of a person-carrier become the object of the spread of bacteria that remain on all surfaces, objects, products that he touches. Insects can also carry the infection;
contact - household, when using objects, accessories, utensils, toilet facilities, products, etc., common with the carrier of the infection;
food, water - the infection can get on food, water. As a result of improper or insufficient processing of products (not washed vegetables, berries, fruits, insufficient heat treatment of meat, dairy, fish products), as well as the ingress of running water from taps, reservoirs, can contribute to the penetration and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. Salmonella is possible in meat, eggs, fish, dairy products, so it is not recommended to consume these products raw or poorly processed;
airborne droplet. This type of distribution is typical for viruses. When sneezing, breathing, coughing, rotaviruses and other germs can be transmitted. Viruses enter the respiratory tract of a person, as well as on common objects;
infections can be carried by wild and domestic animals, blood-sucking insects (lice, mosquitoes, fleas).

The following categories of people are most susceptible to intestinal infections:

children under 3 years old - which is associated with an unstable immune system, the presence of vaccinations, which for a short period of time weaken the protective functions of the body, as well as neglect of the rules of personal hygiene. Due to their age, children cannot fully form the skills of processing hands and products;
elderly people - due to physiological age-related changes in the elderly, immunity decreases, which increases the likelihood of various inflammatory and infectious diseases;
people with bad habits. Alcohol and tobacco adversely affect all body systems, and also provokes suppression of the immune system.

Symptoms of an intestinal infection caused by various pathogens may differ from each other.

Intestinal infection: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

In children and adults, the signs of the disease can manifest themselves in different forms and have different symptoms, but an acute intestinal infection is characterized by the presence of some common symptoms:

pain in the lower abdomen, cramping in nature;
pain during bowel movements;
violation of the stool (watery, frothy discharge with a greenish or light brown color, there may be blood, mucus);
diarrhea (up to 10-15 times a day);
nausea, profuse vomiting, especially after eating or drinking;
with some types of infection in the intestines, there is an increase in body temperature up to 38-39 degrees, chills, body aches;
general malaise, weakness, dizziness;
loss of appetite, sleep disturbance;
some types of infection may be accompanied by the appearance of a cough, runny nose, and other symptoms that occur with respiratory viral diseases (which is typical for rotavirus infection).

In infants and older toddlers, the symptoms are similar. In young children with infectious diseases, dryness, signs of dehydration appear, as a result of which the fontanel sinks, and a sharp weight loss occurs. Children become lethargic, overly capricious. Children carry the infection most severely, the disease has a rapid pace of development.

If signs of an intestinal infection are detected, the patient is subject to immediate hospitalization in a medical institution.

Diagnostics

When establishing a diagnosis, physicians need to exclude other pathologies that have similar symptoms. It is necessary to conduct a comprehensive study, namely:

Bacteriological examination of feces, vomit, washings from the stomach. Also, the remains of food or water, which could cause infection, are taken for research.
A serological blood test, for this purpose, blood serum is used to determine the causative agent of an intestinal infection.
Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure in which a special device is used to examine the mucous membrane of the rectum.
Colonoscopy - used to evaluate the surface layer of the intestine.
PCR analyzes of biological materials to determine the type of infection.

Treatment

When determining the causative agent of an intestinal infection, the doctor will draw up a clear scheme of how to treat the disease. Patients must be isolated from others, for the period of treatment they are recommended bed rest.

First, the patient needs to eliminate toxins and their negative impact on the body. For this purpose, sorbents are used, such as Smecta, Enterosgel, Polyphepan, activated carbon. Medical treatment includes:

Appointment of an antibiotic to fight the virus and other pathogenic microorganisms (Levomecitin, Ciprofloxacin).
To prevent diarrhea, you can use drugs such as Filtrum, Laktofiltrum, Baktisuptil.
Appointment of antiseptic intestinal preparations to prevent the spread of pathogenic microflora (Enterol, Enterofuril, Intetrix).
To restore the water-salt balance and prevent dehydration, Regidron and Behydron solutions are used.
In order to improve digestive processes and restore metabolism, enzymes are used - Creon, Mezim, Pancreatin, Ermital).
To restore the normal intestinal microflora, you need to use the probiotics Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Acepol.
Antiemetic drugs help reduce the frequency of vomiting and alleviate the condition (Cerukal, Motilium).
To eliminate the accompanying symptoms, antipyretics (Paracetamol, Nurofen), painkillers (No-shpa) can be used.
Immunomodulators to increase immunity and body defenses.

At the first sign of intestinal infections, do not self-medicate. It is not recommended to take medications to eliminate diarrhea (Loperamide, Immodium). Delayed fecal masses can provoke the accumulation of pathogenic organisms in the intestine. It is also contraindicated to take pain medications, because the exclusion of one of the symptoms will complicate the correct diagnosis. It is also not recommended to take phytopreparations, homeopathy, non-drug preparations without making a diagnosis, establishing the causative agent of the infection and recommendations of the attending physician.

Diet for intestinal infections

In addition to complex drug therapy, patients are prescribed a special diet. In the acute period, fasting is recommended for patients in order to exclude further reproduction of bacteria, reduce factors that can cause intestinal irritation.

Then it is allowed to take such products: light chicken broth, cereals without adding oil, steamed vegetables, dried bread. To prevent dehydration, the patient is advised to drink plenty of fluids. For this, boiled water (water with the addition of salt), unsaturated dried fruit compotes, herbal teas, rosehip decoctions, jelly are suitable.

With an intestinal infection, it is forbidden to use:

spicy, fried, smoked, fatty, salty foods;
dairy products - yogurt, fermented baked milk, milk, cream;
fruits, berries, raw vegetables;
carbonated drinks;
baking, baking, confectionery;
semi-finished products;
pickles, marinades, spices.

When treating the disease, you must follow all the recommendations of the doctor. An intestinal infection can cause serious complications such as dehydration, toxic shock, kidney failure, pneumonia, and even death.

Prevention:

To prevent intestinal infections in adults and children, you need to follow some rules:

Observe the rules of personal hygiene: wash hands before eating, after each visit to the toilet, after visiting public places.
Keep dishes, household utensils, work surfaces, bathrooms clean.
Carefully process the food you eat, wash vegetables, berries, fruits, conduct the correct heat treatment of meat, milk, eggs, fish.
Monitor the quality of products, observe the terms and rules of storage in the refrigerator, do not use products with signs of decay, fermentation for cooking. You should also not buy products of dubious origin that do not have sanitary certificates.
Avoid long-term storage of perishable products, as well as products that have been at room temperature for a long time.
Do not drink raw tap water, but use boiled or distilled water.
Swim only in bodies of water that comply with sanitary and hygienic standards, avoid getting water in your mouth, take a shower after swimming in a body of water, and do not eat food without treating your hands.

The main cause of gastroenteritis (intestinal flu) is the virus entering the body through contact with a sick person or through contaminated food and water. Due to the risk of serious complications, if symptoms of the disease appear, you should seek medical help.

How to treat intestinal flu?

There is no specific cure for stomach flu. Therapy of the disease is aimed at relieving symptoms and alleviating the general condition. The drugs used in the treatment of intestinal flu have the following focus:

1. Adsorbents that absorb toxins produced by viruses and remove them naturally. This is, first of all, activated charcoal and drugs such as:

Smecta;
Creon;
Nifuroxazide, etc.

2. Antipyretics to normalize body temperature. Aspirin and Paracetamol, as well as other drugs based on them, are commonly used. In the absence of effect, injections of Dimedrol and Analgin can be used.

3. In order to reduce the pathogenic impact on the digestive system, it is recommended:

Festal;
Mezim, etc.

4. For the treatment of intestinal flu, antidiarrheal and antiemetic drugs are used. And in order to prevent dehydration of the patient's body and restore the water-mineral balance, it is recommended to take mineral salts, for example, Regidron or non-carbonated mineral water.

The use of antibiotics for intestinal flu is meaningless, since the infection is viral, not bacterial, in nature.

Effective for intestinal flu Enterofuril is a broad-spectrum drug that fights a secondary infection that causes even more damage to the state of the gastrointestinal system.

Also, to restore the epithelium of the stomach, it is useful to take a decoction of rose hips or herbal infusions:

chamomile;
plantain;
sage;
thyme.

Essential oils can be used as antiseptics:

tea tree;
juniper;
cedar;
pines;
eucalyptus.

Diet for stomach flu

The inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa resulting from the disease requires a sparing diet. The following dishes and products are recommended for a patient with intestinal flu:

low-fat broths and soups;
mashed potatoes;
vegetable stew;
skim cheese;
cereals boiled in water and without oil;
dried bread;
fresh berries and fruits.

To replenish fluid in the body, you should take at least 2 liters of drink:

unsweetened decoctions of berries;
black tea (preferably with lemon);

You can not use milk and dairy products, raw vegetables that help to relax the intestines, and fatty, spicy, sweet dishes.

Prevention of intestinal flu

Along with the question of what to take with intestinal flu, the problem of how to prevent infection remains important. Prevention includes compliance with the basic rules of hygiene:

It is undesirable to buy ready-made food in open stalls and eat on the street. It is recommended in the autumn-winter period, when there is a peak in the incidence of intestinal flu, to consume more products - natural antiseptics, such as garlic, onions, horseradish, mustard. It is very useful for prevention to include honey in the daily diet. When caring for a sick person, it is imperative to use gauze masks so as not to catch an infection, treat the dishes and personal items of the sick person with chlorine-containing disinfectants, and wash hands with laundry or tar soap.