What does rotavirus mean. Symptoms and treatment of rotavirus infection in adults. Why does vomiting and diarrhea develop with a viral infection

Rotavirus gastroenteritis, intestinal (gastric) flu - these names hide a disease whose manifestations are known to most people. Therefore, it is important to know how to choose the right drugs for rotavirus infection for a speedy cure.

Rotavirus infection is an acute disease that affects.

The culprit of the disease is a virus that has a spherical shape. Outwardly, it looks like a small wheel with spokes, for which it got its name: rota in Latin means “wheel”. Despite its small size, the virus is resistant to external influences, as it is covered with a reliable shell consisting of three layers. Therefore, neither the enzymes of the human digestive tract, nor chlorinated water are harmful to him. Only acids, alkalis and boiling can cope with the insidious pathogen.

The source of infection with the virus is a sick person. How is rotavirus transmitted from him to other people?

• any close contact with an infected person. Infection occurs even after a banal handshake, if hands were not thoroughly washed;
• when using common utensils and other household items with an infected person;
• when coughing and sneezing, the pathogen can be transmitted by airborne droplets.

Penetrating into the body, the insidious "wheel" is located in the tissues and begins its vital activity. As a result, mature epithelial cells die, they are replaced by unformed ones. Nutrients are no longer fully absorbed, digestion is disturbed.

Symptoms of rotavirus infection

When a spherical pathogen enters the body, unpleasant manifestations make themselves felt quite quickly, the incubation period lasts from 1 to 5 days. If a person is weakened, the disease develops rapidly, within 15 hours.

The danger of the disease is that its symptoms can manifest themselves differently in people, depending on age and individual characteristics of the body. There are cases when the virus enters the body, but it fails to invade the cells, and the disease is asymptomatic.

The first manifestations resemble signs of a respiratory ailment: the patient has a sore throat, a runny nose, and a cough. Hence the second name of the disease - intestinal flu.

After some time, the initial symptoms are supplemented by new phenomena.

• General weakness, decrease or complete lack of appetite. This is more typical for adults.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea characterized by pale yellow watery feces with a strong odor.
• Urine acquires a dark shade, its total amount decreases.
• Pain and.
• In children, the temperature rises, often to high values. In adults, it remains within the normal range, or the increase is insignificant.
• With severe vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration is observed.

Important! It happens that in adults the symptoms do not appear brightly, so the malaise that has arisen is attributed to poisoning with poor-quality products. Such patients, despite the absence of acute painful manifestations, are potential spreaders of the virus to others.

Features of children's symptoms

In children, the disease, as a rule, has a more acute course compared to adults:

• rise in temperature to 38 degrees and above, a feverish state is possible;
• severe nausea and vomiting;
• diarrhea, sometimes difficult to control, the number of bowel movements can reach up to 15-20 times a day;
• severe weakness, lethargy, drowsiness.

Important! For young children, the main danger of the disease is that it leads to dehydration. The smaller the body weight of the baby, the faster this process develops. Therefore, children under the age of 2 years with a severe course of the disease are subject to urgent hospitalization.

How long does the disease last? The period of acute manifestations is from 3 to 7 days, possibly a more severe course of the disease, which lasts over a week. After acute symptoms no longer make themselves felt, a recovery period of 4-5 days begins.

How to treat stomach flu

Currently, there is no remedy aimed at treating rotavirus infection directly, so the therapeutic course for patients is complex.

Rehydration

The specific manifestations of the disease are such that the body suffers from dehydration: during diarrhea and vomiting, a large amount of fluid is excreted from the body. Therefore, an important point in the treatment is rehydration - replenishment of lost fluid. The most effective drug for these purposes is Regidron.

In order not to provoke new attacks of vomiting, in the acute period of the disease, the liquid should be taken in very small portions, up to a teaspoon.

Important! If the dehydration process continues for more than a day, and taking even small portions of water causes vomiting, intravenous fluids are required in a hospital setting.

Sorbents

To remove toxins from the body, sorbents are used - special preparations that bind and remove the waste products of a spherical pathogen: Smecta, Enterosgel, Polysorb.

Tidy up the intestines

• During the treatment of the disease is required. Starting from the 3-4th day of illness, it is recommended to take the following drugs: Normobakt, Bifidumbacterin, Linex.
• Against the background of the disease, pathogenic flora often develops in the intestine. To prevent this, drugs "Enterefuril", "Enterol" are prescribed.

Antiviral therapy

Unfortunately, there is no drug that specifically targets rotavirus. To alleviate the course of the disease, it is advisable to use antiviral drugs that prevent further penetration of the pathogen into the cells and thereby reduce the duration of the disease: Tsitovir 3, Viferon, Arbidol, Anaferon.

Aids in the treatment of rotavirus

• With frequent, indomitable vomiting, antiemetics, for example, Motilium, will help.
• If the disease is accompanied by a high temperature, antipyretic drugs are used: Panadol, Cefekon, Ibuprofen, Nurofen. Elevated temperature is a protective reaction of the body: its increase above 38 degrees has a detrimental effect on viruses. Therefore, you should not bring down the temperature below 38.5.

Important! Rotavirus is insensitive to antibacterial agents. Treating it with antibiotics is not only pointless, but also harmful. The drugs in this group will further enhance the bacterial imbalance of the intestine, thereby facilitating the further spread of the virus.

Antibacterial drugs are prescribed if a bacterial infection has developed against the background of the disease. This situation can occur no earlier than 3-4 days of illness and is confirmed by special tests.

Folk remedies in the treatment of intestinal flu

In the complex therapy of rotavirus infection, traditional medicine will help.

• In order to rehydrate the body, you can drink water with the addition of salt (at the rate of 1 teaspoon of table salt per 1 liter of water).
• Dry St. John's wort (1 tablespoon), pour 200 ml of boiling water, steam for half an hour. Strain the resulting drug and dilute with hot water in an amount of 200 ml. Take half an hour before meals 1/3 cup three times a day. This remedy should not be given to children under 3 years of age.
• With severe diarrhea, a decoction of dried blueberries will help, it can be given to the patient both before and after meals. The product is suitable for children.
• Boil chamomile flowers (a tablespoon) in 200 ml of boiling water, hold under the lid for infusion for 15 minutes.

What to eat for a sick person: a diet for intestinal flu

Diet in case of infection with rotavirus is also an element of complex treatment.

Adult nutrition

In the acute stage of the disease, appetite is usually reduced or absent altogether, the mere thought of food causes nausea. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to maintain a drinking regime to replenish fluid loss.

In adults, this intestinal trouble does not give bright manifestations, and often food intake continues, but it is worth temporarily eliminating a number of foods from the diet.

• Dairy products that serve as a favorable environment for the life of the virus;
• drinks containing caffeine, which irritates the intestinal mucosa;
• fried and fatty foods, sausages and canned food. The digestion of heavy food is undesirable for the body, which is currently fighting an invading virus.

Important! In the acute period of the disease, it is necessary to limit the amount of food taken and pay special attention to the observance of the drinking regimen in order to prevent dehydration.

Catering for children

Children infected with rotavirus almost always refuse to eat in the first days of the disease. You should not force the child to eat by force, but compliance with the drinking regime is fundamentally important. In addition to the rehydration preparations mentioned above, you can offer your baby dried fruit compote, weak concentration fruit drink, and weak tea. Drinks should not contain a lot of sugar.

What to give a child when acute symptoms no longer bother, but the digestive system has not yet returned to normal? Offer a small patient light meals: semi-liquid cereals with diluted milk or water, grated vegetable soups, lean meats, vegetables (boiled, stewed), baked apples, jelly.

Important! Even if, when the condition is relieved after a rotavirus infection, the child wakes up with a good appetite, bulky meals should be avoided during the recovery period and the use of a number of foods should be limited.

In the acute and recovery period of the disease, the following are prohibited:

• whole milk, in some cases, other dairy products;
• raw fruits, vegetables (primarily cabbage, garlic, radish);
• rich bakery products, sweets;
• everything fried and smoked;
• sausage products;
• the use of certain types of cereals (barley, millet) is undesirable.

In acute manifestations of the disease, you should not self-medicate, an intestinal infection is an occasion to consult a doctor for a correct diagnosis. Properly prescribed complex treatment in combination with a sparing diet will allow you to defeat the disease in a short time.

Anton Palaznikov

Gastroenterologist, therapist

Work experience more than 7 years.

Professional skills: diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and biliary system.

The goals of treatment for rotavirus infection are:

• recovery of lost fluid ( fight against dehydration);
• removal of rotaviruses from the body;
• elimination of symptoms of the disease;
• proper nutrition;
• restoration of the digestive function of the intestine.

First aid for children with rotavirus infection

First aid for a child with rotavirus infection should include:

• Prevention of dehydration. Dehydration is the main reason for the development of complications in rotavirus infection. The fact is that in an adult a profuse ( abundant) diarrhea for 1-2 days can cause severe dehydration. At the same time, in children under 3 years of age ( in which rotavirus infection is most common) severe dehydration can occur as early as 2 to 4 hours after the onset of the disease. To prevent this, the child must be given water. To do this, use liquids containing electrolytes - warm tea, compote, jelly, mineral water ( without gases), saline solutions, and so on. The amount of fluid should be approximately equal to the volume that the child loses with diarrhea and vomiting. This is especially important to consider when treating newborns and infants, since excessive water intake in their body can also be accompanied by the development of complications.
• Baby care. It is extremely important to ensure that during vomiting, a newborn or infant does not choke on vomit, which can lead to the development of pneumonia or even suffocation. To do this, you should constantly monitor the child, and during an attack of vomiting, turn him on his side. You should also regularly change the baby's diapers and toilet the anal area, since exposure to feces on the skin can lead to inflammation or even infection.
• isolation of a sick child. If there are several children in the family, it is extremely important to limit access to the sick child in time, which will prevent infection of other children. Immediately after signs of infection are detected, all family members should thoroughly wash their hands. None of the children should approach a sick child and touch him or his things ( especially diapers, clothes, underwear, toys and so on). The caregiver should also regularly wash their hands after each contact with the child or performing hygiene procedures, while avoiding touching healthy children with unwashed hands.
• Body temperature control. A pronounced increase in temperature in the first days of the disease is not typical for rotavirus infection. However, if the child's body temperature rises too high ( up to 39 degrees and above), which can lead to seizures. To prevent this, the child can be given antipyretic drugs ( for example, paracetamol suppositories, the dose of which is calculated depending on the age and weight of the baby). If the temperature continues to rise, you can undress the child and rub vinegar on him, which will temporarily cool his body.

How many are in the hospital with rotavirus infection?

In uncomplicated cases, the patient should remain in the hospital until all clinical manifestations of the disease have disappeared ( i.e. at least 5 – 7 days). At the same time, in case of violation of the functions of vital organs, with the development of complications from various body systems and in the presence of concomitant pathologies, the duration of hospitalization can be increased indefinitely ( until the patient's condition is stabilized).

Do I need an enema for rotavirus infection?

How to cure rotavirus infection with folk remedies at home?

Alternative treatment for rotavirus infection may include:

• St. John's wort herb decoction. St. John's wort has a moderate anti-inflammatory effect, which allows you to normalize the condition of the mucous membrane of the small intestine. To prepare a decoction 20 grams ( 2 tablespoons) chopped herbs should be poured with 400 ml of boiling water and placed in a water bath for 15 - 20 minutes. After that, the broth should be allowed to cool, strain it thoroughly and add another 100 ml of boiled water. The resulting mixture should be taken orally 50 ml 3 times a day ( in a warm state).
• Infusion of chamomile flowers. Chamomile contains essential oils and flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. This allows you to slow down the damage to the mucous membrane of the small intestine by inflammatory processes, as well as reduce the severity of the processes of putrefaction and fermentation in the large intestine ( due to the antimicrobial action of the drug). Moreover, the infusion has a moderate antispasmodic effect, that is, it prevents excessive contraction of the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing the severity of abdominal pain. To prepare the infusion, 2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers should be poured into 400 ml of boiling water and infused for 6 to 8 hours. Then the infusion should be filtered and taken orally 1 tablespoon 6-8 times a day ( for children from 1 to 3 years old - 1 teaspoon 3 - 8 times a day).
• Infusion of cherry fruits. Bird cherry fruit is an antidiarrheal agent that helps reduce the severity of diarrhea in rotavirus infection. This is due to the fact that the substances that make up the bird cherry fruits increase the strength of blood vessels and mucosal tissues, thereby preventing the passage of fluid from the vascular bed into the intestinal lumen. To prepare an infusion of 25 grams of bird cherry fruit, pour 500 ml of boiling water and insist for 4 to 5 hours. After that, strain and take orally 100 ml 3-4 times a day ( for children from 1 to 3 years old - 1 - 2 teaspoons 8 - 10 times a day).
• electrolyte solution. With diarrhea and vomiting, the body loses not only fluid, but also electrolytes, which also need to be restored. To do this, you can buy ready-made powders for preparing solutions at the pharmacy or prepare such a solution yourself. To prepare the solution, take 1 teaspoon of salt, 4 teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of baking soda. The resulting mixture should be stirred in 1 liter of warm boiled water. The solution should be taken orally 1 tablespoon every 15 to 30 minutes or after each loose stool ( for children from 1 to 3 years - 1 teaspoon every 10 to 15 minutes or after each loose stool).

Can a child walk with a rotavirus infection?

When walking with a child with rotavirus infection, you should:

• Wash your child's hands before leaving the house.
• Make sure that the child does not develop diarrhea during a walk. If diarrhea has begun, it is recommended to return home as soon as possible. At the same time, diapers or other personal hygiene products must be taken with you and destroyed at home. Do not throw them out on the street, as they can become a source of infection.
• Keep your child out of playgrounds. Even with careful observance of the rules of personal hygiene, the child can pollute the rides, swings or benches on which he sits.
• Avoid contact with other children. The reason for this is also an increased risk of infection of healthy children ( e.g. during games). That is why it is better to walk with the baby in the park, in the garden or in other places that are not crowded.

Walking with a child with rotavirus infection is not recommended:

• If you have frequent diarrhea or vomiting. First, it will be extremely inconvenient ( for both mother and child). Secondly, the feces of a sick child contain a large number of rotaviruses, which increases the risk of infecting others and spreading the infection.
• In the presence of high temperature ( over 38 degrees). When the temperature rises, the child's body loses heat very quickly. If in such conditions you go out into the cool air, the baby may develop hypothermia or a cold.
• With concomitant respiratory tract infection. The development of rotavirus infection is often accompanied by a cold or flu, manifested by cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, and so on. Walking in cool air is not recommended for a child in this condition, as it can infect other children, and its general condition may also worsen. Instead of walking regularly, it is better ( 3 - 4 times a day) ventilate the room in which the child is located, while taking him to another room.
• For severe dehydration. If the child has lost a lot of fluid with diarrhea or vomiting ( what will be indicated by severe weakness, lethargy, dry skin and tongue, and so on), he should be immediately taken to the hospital for intensive treatment. At the same time, walking is prohibited, since on the street the child may become ill, he may feel dizzy or he may lose consciousness.

Medical treatment of rotavirus infection

Medical treatment may include:

• preparations for oral rehydration;

• diarrhea remedies;

antiviral drugs ( Viferon suppositories, tablets)

Antiviral drugs for rotavirus infection

Of course, there is no vomiting virus infection in nature, it is called rotavirus, but users on the Web turn to search engines over and over again with the wrong request ... Therefore, we decided to help the suffering, to name the article that way.

Vomiting virus infection in children

Treatment of a vomiting-viral infection should be carried out in the mandatory isolation of a sick baby from others. Infection occurs through the mouth when a child plays with a toy, communicates with another child who carries the virus, or drinks from the same cup. Methods of transmission of infection do not depend on how severe the symptoms of the disease were. Viruses can live and multiply for a long time in dairy products that are in the refrigerator. If one of the adults in the family gets sick, then their infection can proceed in a latent form, since the body already has the necessary antibodies. Young children do not yet have such antibodies, so they get sick more severely.

Vomiting virus infection in adults

Vomiting virus infection develops very rapidly. The potential for complications compared to food poisoning is very high. Between the moment of infection and the appearance of the first signs, it takes from a week to ten days. The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets and through poor-quality food. After recovery, a strong immunity is produced in the body. In adults, vomiting virus infection has its own characteristics. When it enters the intestines, it produces toxins that destroy the mucous membrane and cause diarrhea.

Vomiting virus infection symptoms

An adult with a vomiting virus infection has a sharp decrease or no appetite. Vomiting occurs up to five times a day. Body temperature rises to 38 ° C and can last for three days. Diarrhea lasts up to five days. Unpleasant pain sensations appear in the intestines. They are aching, cutting or stabbing in nature. Disturbed by flatulence. With a severe course of the disease, signs of dehydration appear:

• lips, skin and mucous membranes become dry;
• the skin becomes flabby and folds easily;
• possible loss of consciousness, convulsions, lowering blood pressure

The disease can occur in three forms:

• mild, when the temperature does not rise, vomiting and diarrhea no more than three times a day, there are no signs of dehydration;
• medium, at which the temperature rises to 38.5 ° C, mild dehydration, frequent vomiting and diarrhea;
• severe, when the temperature reaches 40 ° C, unconsciousness, vomiting and diarrhea up to fifteen times, and signs of dehydration are observed

The incubation period for infection in children is shorter than in adults, at five days. The acute period of the disease lasts seven days. The infection is very similar to the common cold and starts with a common runny nose. Then nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever join. Vomiting is a characteristic symptom and may occur up to ten to twelve times. The child complains of pain and rumbling in the abdomen. The stool is watery or liquid with an admixture of mucus. The baby refuses to eat and looks lethargic and weak. The temperature can be knocked down when it reaches high values. In children under three years of age, a respiratory infection often accompanies the vomiting virus infection, with a runny nose, cough, red eyes, and ear pain.

Vomiting virus infection causes

The cause of the disease is rotaviruses, which, entering the body through airborne droplets, affect the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. The disease can be both single and in the form of an epidemic and is seasonal. Most of the sick people fall on the period from early spring to autumn.

One of the reasons for the transmission of infection is the lack of personal hygiene. The infection is also called the disease of dirty hands, so wash your hands often, especially after using the toilet.

Vomiting viral infection treatment

It is not recommended to lower the temperature to 38 ° C, since at this indicator the virus dies. A very high temperature can be brought down with a cool rubdown in places where the blood vessels pass. To eliminate diarrhea, Enterofuril is used, which must be used according to the scheme, as well as Smecta and Enterol. You can relieve pain in the abdomen with the help of No-shpa. To restore the intestinal microflora, Acipol, Bifiform, Linex are prescribed.

Treatment of infection is aimed at combating dehydration and toxicosis, as this is very dangerous for the urinary and cardiovascular systems. In drug therapy, Smectite, activated carbon, Attapulgite are used. A strict diet is required. It is allowed to eat porridge cooked in water and drink compotes. Dairy products are not recommended.

Previously, this disease was also called intestinal flu, although rotavirus has nothing to do with the influenza virus. The fact is that the peak incidence of rotavirus infection occurs in the cold season ( that is, for the autumn-winter period), when a large number of people also suffer from colds, including the flu.
As a result, in many people with influenza, after infection with rotavirus, symptoms of intestinal damage also began to appear, which was the reason for the similar name of the pathology.

Epidemiology ( incidence of rotavirus infection)

The causes of the spread of rotavirus infection among children can be:

• Weakness of the immune system. Immunity ( body's ability to resist infections) of a newborn and a child of the first three years of life is not yet fully formed and cannot provide full protection, and therefore the risk of infection with various viruses increases.
• Anatomical structure of the intestinal mucosa. As a result of laboratory studies, it was found that rotavirus ( infectious agent) is easily attached to the cells of the mucous membrane of the small intestine of the child. At the same time, it attaches very poorly to the mucous membrane of the small intestine of an adult, which reduces the risk of infection.

The peak incidence, as well as the development of epidemics, falls on the cold season ( October to April), while rotavirus infection is extremely rare during the summer months. This is due to the properties of rotavirus, which survives very poorly in heat, but can exist for quite a long time at low temperatures.

Etiology, causative agent, ways of transmission and infection ( How is rotavirus transmitted from person to person?)

The main route of transmission of the virus from a sick person to a healthy person is fecal-oral. Its essence is as follows. After entering the human body, the virus enters the cells of the intestinal mucosa, starting to multiply actively in them. In the future, these cells are separated from the mucous membrane and, together with feces, are excreted from the human body. At the same time, the viral particles in them retain their viability.

If in the future a healthy person comes into contact with any objects contaminated with the feces of the patient ( it can be soil, poorly treated toilet surfaces, toilet door handles, towels, unwashed hands of a sick person, and so on.), viral particles can get on the skin of his hands. If after that a person takes any food with unwashed hands ( or just put your fingers in your mouth, which is common in young children), viral particles will enter his gastrointestinal tract. After passing through the stomach and reaching the intestines, they are reactivated and penetrate into the cells of its mucous membrane, causing their damage and the development of the clinical picture of rotavirus infection.

Is rotavirus infection contagious in animals?

It is assumed that the interaction of animal rotavirus with human rotavirus ( for example, being an asymptomatic carrier of an infection) in the "human" virus, certain changes can occur, as a result of which it can be activated and cause a clinical picture of the disease. However, to date, scientists do not exclude the possibility of direct human infection with animal rotaviruses.

Is rotavirus transmitted by airborne droplets?

On the one hand, in many children before the onset of diarrhea ( diarrhea) caused by rotavirus, there are signs of damage to the upper respiratory tract. Moreover, even after the onset of symptoms of rotavirus infection, these children do not develop either a cold or flu. This may suggest that rotavirus initially infects the respiratory mucosa, and then enters the intestine and infects the cells of its mucosa.

At the same time, it is worth noting that as a result of many laboratory studies, scientists have not been able to isolate viral particles from the cells of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. At the same time, rotaviruses are detected in the cells of the intestinal mucosa in almost 100% of cases of infection.

pathogenesis ( development mechanism)

Under normal conditions, the intestinal mucosa consists of so-called villi - outgrowths that protrude into the intestinal lumen. The villi are covered with epithelial cells ( mucosal cells), which provide digestion and absorption of nutrients from the intestines into the blood. It should be noted that only “mature” ( differentiated) epitheliocytes, which are located in the region of the tops of the villi. At the same time, immature cells are located at the base of the villi, which cannot normally absorb products from the intestinal lumen. As they differentiate, immature epitheliocytes move higher and higher, reaching the top of the villus at the moment when they become fully "mature".

The essence of rotavirus infection is that viral particles affect only mature epithelial cells of the small intestine. The cells affected by the virus are destroyed and rejected by the mucous membrane, as a result of which its absorption capacity is reduced. This triggers compensatory reactions, as a result of which "immature" cells begin to move to the top of the villi much faster. At the same time, they do not have time to fully differentiate, as a result of which they cannot ensure normal absorption of nutrients from the lumen of the small intestine.

As the disease develops, there is also a violation of blood microcirculation in the area of ​​the mucous membrane, that is, its ischemia develops ( oxygen starvation). This triggers the development of local inflammatory processes and the release of so-called biologically active substances into the tissues that support inflammation. As a result of the described reactions, there is an even greater damage to the mucous membrane and an even more pronounced malabsorption in the intestine, which increases the severity of the clinical manifestations of the disease.

It is also worth noting that in uncomplicated cases, the virus affects only the mucous membrane of the small intestine. At the same time, with a decrease in the body's defenses, viral particles with the blood and lymph flow can spread to other tissues and organs ( to the liver, brain and spinal cord and so on), causing their defeat and violation of their functions. This may be accompanied by the development of systemic manifestations of the disease and other symptoms associated with damage to certain organs.

Rotavirus infection - specialist advice

Symptoms, signs and course ( how does rotavirus infection manifest itself in children, adolescents, adults?)

Rotavirus infection can manifest itself:

• vomiting;
• diarrhea ( diarrhea);

• an increase in body temperature;
• general weakness;

How long is the incubation period?

The incubation period is the time from the moment a person becomes infected until the first symptoms of infection appear. During the incubation period, the rotavirus has already entered the human body, struck the mucous membrane of its intestines and began to actively multiply in it. At the same time, digestion has not yet been disturbed, and there are no systemic manifestations of the disease, since viral particles have not yet entered the bloodstream, and the body's immune system has not yet begun to fight the infection.

It is worth noting that during the incubation period, some patients may complain of weakness, fatigue, sore throat, cough, fever, or other similar symptoms. This may be due to a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that developed before the infection with rotavirus.

The incubation period is followed by an acute onset of the disease, accompanied by a rapid development and increase in all characteristic signs. From the moment the first symptoms appear to the full development of the clinical picture of rotavirus infection, it takes from 1 to 4-5 hours.

Nausea and vomiting

The cause of vomiting is the penetration of the virus into the intestinal mucosa and its defeat. This triggers the body's defense mechanisms, the purpose of which is to prevent infection and toxins from entering the body. Peristalsis ( motility) the intestines are disturbed, and the patient has an urge to vomit. After vomiting, the patient usually experiences some relief associated with the emptying of the stomach and upper small intestine.

In more than half of the cases, vomiting stops by the end of the first day of the development of the disease, but sometimes it can last 2-3 days.

diarrhea ( diarrhea)

As mentioned earlier, when the cells of the intestinal mucosa are destroyed by rotaviruses, the absorption of nutrients from the lumen of the small intestine is disrupted. Non-absorbed substances remaining in the intestinal lumen have the so-called osmotic activity, that is, the ability to attract fluid to themselves. As the disease progresses, the concentration of osmotically active substances in the small intestine increases, as a result of which a large amount of fluid begins to move into its lumen. Moreover, these substances prevent the absorption of fluid in the large intestine, which also contributes to its accumulation in the intestinal lumen. This is the main reason for the development of diarrhea, as well as many complications of this disease.

Diarrhea in rotavirus infection is characterized by:

• Sudden and frequent urge to defecate. They can occur from 2 to 3 times a day ( with mild disease) up to 20 - 50 or more times a day ( in severe disease).
• imperative ( imperative) the urge to defecate. These urges are so strong that the patient cannot restrain them.

Stool with rotavirus infection:

• Liquid- first in the form of gruel, and then watery.
• Foamy- after a bowel movement, foam may be observed on the surface of the stool.
• Fetid- after a bowel movement, an unpleasant odor is felt, the occurrence of which is explained by the intensification of the processes of decay and fermentation in the large intestine.
• Greenish or yellowish.

Stomach ache ( my stomach hurts)

Bloating

As mentioned earlier, with this pathology, the absorption of nutrients from the small intestine is disrupted, as a result of which they attract fluid and move on ( into the large intestine). The human large intestine normally contains a wide variety of bacteria that take part in digestion. However, in the normal absorption function of the mucous membrane, only a small amount of nutrients enters the large intestine.

With the development of rotavirus infection, nutrients that are not absorbed in the small intestine penetrate into the large intestine, where they become food for the bacteria living there. Their digestion and breakdown is accompanied by the production of a large amount of gases ( methane, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and so on), which leads to overflow of the colon with gases and bloating. Moreover, due to increased peristalsis ( motility) intestinal gases in it constantly move from one department to another, which is accompanied by a pronounced "rumbling" in the stomach, which an outsider or doctor can hear, even being at a great distance from the patient.

Temperature

The mechanism of body temperature increase in rotavirus infection is associated with the activation of the immune system, which occurs in response to the penetration of foreign viral particles into the human body. At the same time, cells of the immune system produce special substances that activate the temperature regulation center in the brain, thereby increasing heat production in the body.

It should be noted that with rotavirus infection, the temperature remains elevated for 2 to 3 days from the onset of the disease. At the same time, elevated body temperature may be associated with a concomitant respiratory tract infection, against which infection with rotavirus occurred. That is why this symptom should be evaluated only in combination with other clinical and laboratory data.

Weakness and headaches

The syndrome of general intoxication of the body can manifest itself:

• general weakness;
• increased fatigue;
• decrease in working capacity;
• lethargy;
• "brokenness";
• headaches;
• shortness of breath ( feeling short of breath) during physical activity and so on.

Cough

The cough associated with rotavirus infection is usually dry, painful, and is not accompanied by sputum or mucus. The reason for its development is the defeat and destruction of the mucous membrane of the trachea and bronchi, which leads to irritation of the nerve endings located there ( cough receptors). During coughing, an even greater traumatization of the mucous membrane occurs and the patient wants to cough even more. That is why the cough itself does not bring any relief to the patient, but only worsens his well-being.

Is there a rash with rotavirus infection?

Stages of rotavirus infection

In the development of rotavirus infection, there are:

• incubation period. Lasts from 15 hours to 5 - 7 days. During this period, there are no clinical signs of infection. The patient may look completely healthy, although rotavirus is already developing in the mucous membrane of his intestines.
• acute period. Lasts 3 to 7 days from the onset of the first symptom. During the acute period of the disease, the severity of symptoms gradually increases and reaches its peak. It is in the acute period that patients usually turn to medical institutions for help. If you do not start treatment in the acute period of rotavirus infection, the risk of complications increases significantly.
• Recovery period. Lasts from 3 to 5 days. During this period, the severity of the patient's symptoms gradually subsides. The general condition of the patient improves, but his body remains weakened and still needs adequate treatment.

Manifestations of rotavirus infection in newborns, infants and children

In almost 100% of cases, rotavirus infection in children of all ages begins with three main symptoms - vomiting, watery diarrhea and fever. At the same time, the temperature in children is higher than in adults ( from the first days of the disease can reach 38 - 39 degrees). At the same time, it is worth noting that in some children, high fever and diarrhea may be the only symptoms of infection, while vomiting may be absent.

Another feature of the development of rotavirus infection in children is a decrease or complete lack of appetite. This is due to a violation of the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, with the overflow of the large intestine with gases and with the development of a syndrome of general intoxication of the body. Sick children refuse to eat, become lethargic, inactive, may cry for a long time and be capricious. If the child can already talk, he may complain of pain in the abdomen, headaches, and so on.

It is important to note that the child's body is not able to compensate for developing digestive disorders for as long as the body of an adult. Within a few hours after the onset of the acute period of rotavirus infection, a child may develop serious complications that pose a danger to his health or even life. That is why, if one or more symptoms of the disease are detected, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible, without wasting time on self-treatment.

How many days does a rotavirus infection last?

Clinical forms of rotavirus infection

Can rotavirus infection occur without symptoms ( no fever, no diarrhea, no vomiting)?

An asymptomatic course of a rotavirus infection can be observed when a rotavirus enters the body of a healthy person whose immunity is not impaired, and there are antiviral antibodies in his blood ( that is, if he has already had this infection). In this case, the virus will be present in his body for a certain time ( which can be confirmed by special laboratory tests), but no clinical signs of the disease will be detected.

In some cases, the onset of the disease may occur in the absence of one of the characteristic manifestations of rotavirus infection. For example, patients may have only diarrhea and fever ( without vomiting) or, conversely, high fever and vomiting ( without diarrhea). At the same time, by the end of 1-2 days, the classical clinical picture of the disease usually develops, including all the symptoms listed above.

In people with severely immunocompromised for example, in patients with AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) the disease can proceed without temperature. This is due to the fact that in the later stages of the disease, the immunity of such patients weakens so much that they are unable to adequately respond to the introduction of foreign viruses into the body. Similar disorders can be observed in people with cancer ( tumor) diseases that undergo courses of radiation therapy or chemotherapy ( these procedures also disrupt the immune system). At the same time, other signs of rotavirus infection ( diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain) in such patients will be observed from the first days of the disease.

Which doctor should I contact for rotavirus infection?

During the examination of the patient, consultation may be necessary:

• gastroenterologist ( enroll) ;
• otorhinolaryngologist ( Laura) (enroll) ;

• resuscitator.

• questioning the patient;
• clinical examination;
• consultations of other specialists;
• laboratory diagnostics.

When interviewing a patient, the doctor is interested in:

• What worries the patient at the moment?
• When did the symptoms first appear?
• The order in which symptoms appear.
• The nature of the vomiting if it exists), its frequency, color, smell, presence or absence of blood, and so on.
• The nature of the chair if it exists), its frequency and consistency, color, smell.
• Is the patient's body temperature elevated? at the same time, the doctor measures it again during the examination, but asks the patient to clarify to what figures the temperature has risen since the onset of the disease).
• Does the patient have signs of airway disease ( cough, sore or sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion and so on)?
• Has anyone in the patient's family had similar symptoms in the last few days?
• Has the patient received any treatment? If so, which one and who appointed him?

Clinical examination includes:

• Inspection. On examination, the doctor may notice dryness of the skin, a decrease in the natural luster of the skin. This may be due to dehydration loss of large amounts of fluid from the body), caused by frequent diarrhea and vomiting. Also, the presence of dehydration may indicate the retraction of the eyeballs in the sockets.
• Palpation. The essence of the method is to assess the condition of the skin, musculoskeletal system and other organs through their palpation. On palpation, the doctor can detect a decrease in turgor ( elasticity) of the skin, which will indicate severe dehydration. To do this, he will slightly squeeze the skin on the patient’s arm into a fold with two fingers, and then release it. Under normal conditions, the skin will immediately straighten and return to its original shape, while dehydration can leave a wrinkle on the skin that lasts for a few seconds or minutes. Also, with palpation of the abdomen, the doctor may note its swelling and increased rumbling ( due to the accumulation of large amounts of gas in the intestines).
• percussion ( tapping). This method is not of particular diagnostic value for rotavirus infection. With it, you can only confirm the presence of gases in the intestines. To do this, the doctor presses one hand to the surface of the patient's abdomen, and lightly taps the finger of the first hand with the finger of the second hand. The presence of gas or air in the intestines will be indicated by a characteristic tympanic sound, reminiscent of the sound of tapping on a drum.
• auscultation ( listening). This study is carried out using a stethoscope - a device consisting of a special membrane and sound-conducting tubes. By listening to the abdomen, you can determine the presence of increased peristalsis ( motility) intestines, which is typical for rotavirus infection. Listening to the heart can reveal muffled tones, which is an unfavorable prognostic sign and indicates a severe course of the disease. Also, all patients are advised to listen to the lungs ( to exclude inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system).

Also, the infectious disease doctor can refer the patient for consultations to other specialists if he doubts the diagnosis ( in this case, you may need to consult an ENT specialist, which will rule out the presence of an upper respiratory tract infection). If the patient develops severe complications of rotavirus infection ( for example, loss of consciousness due to severe dehydration), you should immediately call for a consultation with a resuscitator or immediately transfer the patient to the intensive care unit, where he will be provided with the necessary assistance.

If, against the background of the treatment, the patient's condition begins to improve, it will be extremely important to choose the right and balanced diet for him, which will restore the normal function of the gastrointestinal tract and replenish fluids, electrolytes, trace elements and other substances lost with diarrhea and vomit. To resolve these issues, the patient may need to consult a dietitian.

Methods of laboratory diagnostics ( tests for rotavirus infection)

It is better to conduct all studies before starting treatment, because the use of antibiotics or antiviral drugs can distort the data obtained and make it difficult to make a diagnosis, thereby reducing the effectiveness of therapeutic measures.

For research, you can use:

• fecal masses;
• vomit;
• urine;
• blood;
• saliva and other tissues.

• general blood analysis ;
• express tests.

General blood analysis

With rotavirus infection in the KLA, there may be:

• Leukocytosis ( increase in the level of leukocytes in the blood). Leukocytes are blood cells that perform a protective function in the human body. When the virus enters the body, the active production of leukocytes begins, and therefore their number increases at the onset of the disease. At the same time, leukocytosis is observed in almost any infectious pathology.
• Leukopenia ( decrease in the level of leukocytes in the blood). Short-term leukopenia develops at the height of the disease due to increased exposure to the virus and weakening of the body. At the same time, it is worth noting that leukopenia is characteristic of many viral diseases, and not only of rotavirus infection.
• Lymphocytosis ( increased levels of lymphocytes in the blood). Lymphocytes are a type of blood cells that also perform a protective function. When a virus enters the body, lymphocytes are activated, producing antibodies against viral particles, which contributes to the destruction of the virus.

• An increase in hematocrit. Hematocrit is the percentage ratio between blood cells and its liquid part. Normally, the hematocrit in a man is 40 - 48%, and in a woman - 36 - 46% ( due to fewer blood cells in the body). With rotavirus infection, the patient experiences intense diarrhea and vomiting, which are accompanied by fluid loss from the body. If these losses are not replenished, the proportion of cellular elements in the blood will increase, as a result of which the hematocrit will also increase. This is dangerous because the blood in this case will become more viscous, it will be more difficult for it to pass through small blood vessels and deliver oxygen to the tissues. At the same time, the heart muscle will have to work much harder to push the viscous blood through the blood vessels. All this can lead to disruption of the functions of many organs and systems ( including brain, heart, liver, kidney and so on).
• ESR decrease ( erythrocyte sedimentation rate). ESR is a laboratory indicator that also allows you to assess the degree of dehydration of the body. To determine the ESR, the blood taken from the patient is placed in a test tube and the time during which the heavier red blood cells ( erythrocytes) will sink to the bottom. The fact is that blood cells have the ability to repel each other. Consequently, the more of them there are in the test tube, the stronger they will repel and the slower they will settle to its bottom. Normal ESR in men is 2 - 10 mm per hour, and in women - 2 - 15 mm per hour. At the same time, when dehydrated ( against the backdrop of diarrhea and vomiting), the concentration of erythrocytes in the blood can increase significantly, as a result of which the ESR will also increase.

Analysis of urine

To get the most accurate results, a urine test should be taken in the morning. On the evening before the test, you need to carry out a hygienic toilet of the genital organs. You should also avoid foods that can change the color of your urine ( beets, carrots). A small amount of ( about 50 ml) urine at the very beginning of urination should be skipped. Then, without interrupting urination, about 50-100 ml of urine should be collected in a pre-prepared sterile container, tightly closed with a lid and taken to the laboratory for research.

Fecal analysis ( coprogram)

For a coprogram with rotavirus infection, it is characteristic:

• Liquid ( mushy or watery) stool consistency- due to the transition of a large amount of water into the intestinal lumen.
• Yellowish or greenish stools- due to the processes of decay and fermentation of products in the large intestine ( under the influence of bacteria living there).
• The presence of a characteristic fetid odor- also associated with the processes of decay and fermentation.
• The presence of a small amount of mucus in the stool.
• Small amount of blood in stool- due to defeat destruction) of the mucous membrane, which is accompanied by rupture of small blood vessels.
• Determination of undigested foods in feces- fiber, fat, starch, muscle fibers, proteins and so on.

Feces should be collected in small quantities ( up to 5 grams) in sterile dishes, which can be bought at the pharmacy. It is important that the collected material does not come into contact with anything ( be it the surface of the toilet bowl, baby potty and so on), since foreign microorganisms can get into it, which will distort the results of the study. In infants, feces can be collected from the diaper with a sterile stick.

The collected material should be delivered to the laboratory for examination within the first 2-3 hours after collection. The study itself usually does not take much time, so that after a few hours you can get the results of the analysis.

PCR ( polymerase chain reaction)

It is better to take an analysis within the first 3 to 10 days from the onset of the disease, when the concentration of the virus in the body is maximum. The rules for collecting feces for this study are the same as for the general analysis of feces. The day before the collection of feces, it is necessary to abandon drugs that affect peristalsis ( cuts) intestines or may change the color of the stool ( iron preparations, bismuth), as this may distort the results of the study. For the same reason, enemas and rectal suppositories should be abandoned ( candles).

The essence of the method is that the test material is mixed with special enzymes, placed in an incubator and "grown" under special conditions for a certain time. If there is at least 1 section of rotavirus RNA in the biomaterial, many copies of viruses will be created on its basis, which then allows you to easily determine the presence and type of the pathogen.

It should be noted that the PCR procedure is quite lengthy and expensive, as a result of which it is carried out only in special research laboratories.

Rapid test for rotavirus infection

You can buy a rota test at any pharmacy. At the same time, the purchased kit includes all the devices necessary for the study, as well as detailed instructions for them.

The test includes:

• instruction;
• sterile gloves;
• test panel;
• a plastic tube filled with a special solution, in which there is a stick for collecting feces.

To conduct a rapid test for rotavirus infection, open a plastic tube ( cone) and remove a sterile stick from it. A small amount of test material should be collected on the tip of the stick ( up to 2 grams). For this it ( tip) should simply be vertically immersed several times in the feces, without trying to take them “more”. After taking the material, the stick should be placed back into the flask with the solution, closed and shaken several times. The result should be a homogeneous liquid solution. If you collect too much feces, the solution will turn out to be thick and the result will not show anything ( the test will fail).

When a homogeneous solution is formed in the flask, you should take the test panel out of the sterile package and open it. Externally, this panel has the shape of a rectangle, on the surface of which there are 2 windows ( grooves) are oval and rectangular. The oval window is intended for applying the test material, and the results of the test will be displayed in the rectangular window. Above the rectangular window are 2 letters - "C" and "T".

To conduct a study, you need to break the top on the lid of a plastic cone and apply the resulting solution ( 4 drops) on the test panel in the oval window, and then wait 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, colored stripes will appear in the rectangular window, by which it will be possible to judge the result of the analysis.

After conducting a rapid test for rotavirus infection, you can get:

• Positive result ( there are rotaviruses in the stool). In this case, a green stripe will appear opposite the letter "C", and a red stripe will appear opposite the letter "T".
• Negative result ( no rotavirus found in stool). In this case, a green bar will appear opposite the letter "C", and nothing will appear opposite the letter "T".
• Inaccurate result. If 10 - 20 minutes after the application of the material, no stripes appear in the rectangular window, and also if only a red stripe appears, the test is considered incorrect. In this case, the study must be repeated on a new test.

Differential Diagnosis ( how to distinguish rotavirus infection from intestinal enterovirus infection, food poisoning, dysentery?)

Rotavirus infection should be differentiated ( differ):

• from enterovirus infection. Enteroviruses are a group of viruses that can also infect the intestines and cause watery diarrhea, vomiting, and symptoms of general intoxication. At the same time, the frequency of stools in enterovirus infection usually does not exceed 6-8 times a day, while the body temperature rises to 39-40 degrees from the first day of the disease. A rota test can help in the diagnosis ( if it is negative, the patient most likely has an enterovirus infection).
• From food poisoning. The cause of food poisoning can be pathogenic bacteria or their toxins that enter the human body along with food. Clinical manifestations depend on the type of pathogen, but in most cases, before the development of symptoms, a person eats poorly processed, contaminated foods ( fresh vegetables, meat or dairy products and so on), which can be reported to the doctor. Also, with food poisoning, vomiting first appears ( which can be abundant and repeated), and a little later - loose stools, which can also be watery. In this case, the general condition of patients worsens significantly ( body temperature can rise to 39 degrees or more), and signs of damage to other organs and systems may also appear.
• From dysentery. This disease is caused by the microorganism Shigella. Shigella penetrate the human gastrointestinal tract and affect the mucous membrane of the large intestine, which is also accompanied by profuse watery diarrhea and the appearance of symptoms of intoxication of the body. At the same time, Shigella or the toxins they release can enter the patient's bloodstream and affect various systems and organs ( especially the nervous system), which will be accompanied by characteristic clinical manifestations. This will distinguish dysentery from rotavirus infection in the early stages of the disease, but laboratory tests will be required for an accurate diagnosis.

Are SARS and rotavirus the same thing?

The essence of rotavirus infection has been described previously. At the same time, SARS acute respiratory viral infection) can be caused by a number of viruses ( parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses, rhinoviruses and so on). All of these viruses enter the human body along with inhaled air and infect the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which leads to the appearance of characteristic clinical manifestations ( sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever and so on).

Rotaviruses are a whole group of viral infections. They usually lead to the development of intestinal flu in childhood in babies from six months to two years. But the disease can also affect adults, although they have it in a rather mild form and have an erased clinical picture. The disease caused by rotavirus is contagious and is also called the intestinal flu. It can be transmitted both through household contact and through infected products. There is evidence that pathogens can be transmitted during coughing and sneezing. Statistics show that most often rotavirus is diagnosed in the cold season - from November to April.

Symptoms

The disease is divided into three parts - the incubation period, which lasts about five days, the acute phase - three to seven days, and the recovery stage - four to five days.

The disease begins acutely. The patient has a sharp increase in temperature, intense repeated vomiting begins. There is rumbling and cramping pain in the abdomen. Sometimes diarrhea also develops. Usually, in the first days of illness, the stool turns yellow, then it becomes gray-yellow and acquires a clay-like consistency. This symptom is a distinctive feature of rotavirus. In addition to intestinal manifestations, the patient suffers from a runny nose, perspiration and sore throat. He develops a cough.
All the described symptoms are most often manifested in children. In adulthood, the symptoms of rotavirus are usually similar to the classic indigestion. Appetite may decrease and body temperature may rise. The chair becomes liquid. Such symptoms disturb the patient for a short time. Usually in adults, the disease does not manifest itself at all, however, the person is contagious.

Symptoms of rotavirus often resemble those of other infectious diseases, such as cholera or salmonellosis. That is why, if such manifestations occur, it is worth calling a doctor, especially for young children. Do not give children any painkillers before the doctor's visit, as they can lubricate the symptoms of other serious diseases.

Treatment

There are no specific agents that act directly on rotavirus, destroying it. Therapeutic means of influence are aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease.

If the patient has reduced appetite, it is not recommended to insist on food intake. You can cook homemade jelly or low-fat chicken broth. Drink and eat in small portions, this will help to avoid new bouts of vomiting. All dairy products should be excluded from the patient's diet, as they are an excellent medium for the growth and reproduction of pathogens.

To prevent dehydration of the body, it is worth carrying out rehydration therapy. Patients should drink plenty of water, but ideally it should be replaced with saline solutions. The composition for its preparation can be purchased at a pharmacy (for example, rehydron), or you can prepare it yourself by dissolving a teaspoon of ordinary table salt in a liter of clean water. If dehydration is not prevented, intravenous fluids will be required in a hospital setting. The same measures can be taken in case of a severe course of the disease, when the intoxication of the body increases sharply.

It is worth giving the patient sorbents, such as activated charcoal, or, in accordance with the instructions on the package. Such drugs effectively remove toxins from the digestive tract.

In order to prevent the attachment of a bacterial infection, as well as cure it, it is worth taking antidiarrheal drugs. Usually take enterofuril or enterol. To correct digestive disorders, the doctor may prescribe enzyme agents - mezim, pancreatin.

Experts advise to bring down the elevated temperature, if it does not exceed 38C, only in conditions of poor tolerance. Rotaviruses can only die at this temperature. To lower the temperature in a child, it is recommended to use cefekon suppositories or syrups, such as nurofen or panadol. To alleviate the condition of the baby, you can also use physical methods of influence - undressing and rubbing.

After the patient regains his appetite, he should take funds that effectively restore the intestinal microflora. These drugs include linex, bactisubtil, bifiform and acipol.

Prevention

To date, there are methods of specific prevention of rotavirus. They involve taking a vaccine containing cells of a weakened virus. They are consumed orally.

As for non-specific prophylaxis, it consists in careful observance of personal hygiene standards. Hands should be washed regularly, food and drinking water should be carefully processed.

Fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed, it is best to pour boiling water over them immediately before use. Doctors advise with special care to monitor the quality of dairy products. In no case should you eat foods that are of dubious origin or have expired.

Do not engage in self-medication and self-diagnosis, the symptoms of rotovirus may hide other more serious ailments that are dangerous to life and health. Call your doctor if you suspect you have the flu.