Flu with diarrhea, vomiting, fever

Signs of damage to the gastrointestinal tract in a child are not always caused by poisoning with poor-quality products or insemination with a pathogenic bacillus (for example, with dysentery). The source of the disease, especially in childhood, can be a virus. The disease caused by this microorganism is called rotavirus infection. The term “stomach flu” is also used, although this disease is not the flu. Rotavirus infection in children is most common among infants and young children. However, older children and adults can also become infected.

Development of the disease

The virus enters the body from the external environment. Most often, the source of infection is a sick person, but the virus is also found on objects, in water and food - in these environments it remains active for quite a long time.

The virus is spread by the fecal-oral route; this means that the virus is shed by an infected person in the feces and then enters the mouth of a susceptible person, causing an infection. Rotavirus can spread through infected:

Hands;
Objects (toys, surfaces);
Nutrition;
Water.

Children most often suffer from rotavirus infection in the winter and spring (from December to June).

Rotavirus spreads easily among infants and young children. Children can spread the virus both before and after they first show signs of illness. They can also spread rotavirus to family members and other people with whom they have close contact.

In most cases, contact with rotavirus, like with any other virus, occurs unnoticed by humans. The immune system copes well with the introduction of pathogens by producing antibodies. This encounter becomes a problem only in young children and people weakened by other diseases or living conditions.

In children, rotavirus often causes a serious condition (the younger the child, the more serious the situation). This is due to imperfect defenses, lack of immune experience of the body (first contact with rotavirus), and significant multiplication of the virus before the production of antibodies begins.

When it enters the body, the virus invades the cells of the mucous membranes. Initially, this may be the integument lining the organs of the nasopharynx and oropharynx. But often the infection gets directly into the stomach and intestines.

It is in cells that viruses multiply. When their number reaches a critical level, the disease begins.

Stages of rotavirus infection

The disease can manifest itself gradually, developing from one period to another. But lightning-fast types of infection also occur, when a large amount of virus enters the body at once.

The dynamics of the disease includes several stages.

STAGE 1. Incubation (asymptomatic) period. At this time, the virus is actively introduced, multiplies, but does not manifest itself in any way. The incubation period of rotavirus infection in children lasts 2-3 days;
STAGE 2. Prodrome (period of precursors). Most often this is the catarrhal phase of the disease. Viral agents have so far entered not only and not so much into the stomach, but into the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, where they begin to clone. At this time, there is redness of the tonsils (red throat syndrome), runny nose, sneezing, cough, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes (redness, photophobia, lacrimation). At this stage, the disease is perceived as an acute respiratory viral infection. This stage of the disease lasts 1-3 days;
STAGE 3. The height of the disease. Rotavirus penetrates in large quantities into the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation. As a result of the intervention, all the symptoms of poisoning appear, because microorganisms not only infect the mucous membrane, but also release waste products that are toxic to the child’s body. This stage can last from 2 to 8 days.
STAGE 4. Recovery. Gradual recovery from the state of acute poisoning during the period of convalescence.

Rotavirus infection in children lasts on average 7 days from the moment the child is infected, diarrhea and vomiting lasts on average 3 days. Already at the stage of the incubation period, the child is contagious to others, but the greatest risk of infection to others occurs from the moment vomiting or diarrhea begins and 3 days after these symptoms have disappeared.

Important! Any viral infection is a reason to limit a child’s contacts with peers. Some children, after interacting with a child with a mild form of acute respiratory infections, become seriously ill with rotavirus.

Vomiting with fever

What to do if a child has an acute respiratory viral infection with vomiting and fever? In this case, it is necessary to take into account temperature indicators, as well as the frequency of vomiting. You need to immediately call an ambulance so that the child can be examined by a professional doctor who will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

As a rule, for vomiting with fever due to colds, the following drugs are prescribed:

Tamiflu. It can be prescribed to children over 1 year of age; it is intended to combat infections caused by influenza virus types A and B. It can also be used as a prophylactic agent.
Kagocel. An excellent antiviral agent that can be used by children aged 3 years and older.
Cytovir for children. An excellent immunostimulant that is used for respiratory infections. Available in the form of syrup and powder, easy to use for children.

Do not forget to consult with your doctor whether your baby can take one of the above-mentioned medications, because each of them has its own contraindications and side effects. Also, do not rush to start drug treatment if there is a chance to cope with the disease and unpleasant symptoms without the use of drugs.

With ARVI and vomiting in children, body temperature can rise significantly

Rotavirus infection in children: symptoms and treatment

Signs of rotavirus infection in children

Symptoms of infection are typical of acute diseases of the stomach and intestines. How rotavirus infection manifests itself depends on the individual child. Each disease is demonstrated by its own set of symptoms from many possible ones:

Loss of appetite;
Lethargy, lethargy - a sharp decrease in vitality along with refusal to eat - is the most typical, and sometimes the only, indicator of rotavirus infection;
Nausea, vomiting, often repeated, lasting from 2 to 8 days, vomiting occurs even in the morning, on an empty stomach;
Loose stools, repeated many times over the course of a day or several - the consistency of the stool can range from obvious softening to completely watery, often the urge to defecate is very sharp, the stool can acquire a light clayey tint within a few days;
Increase in temperature - amplitude of indicators - from low-grade (37°) to high (39°C), critical fever usually does not occur;
Pain – headache and abdominal pain, the latter in the form of spasms;
Manifestations of dehydration - dry skin and mucous membranes, pale skin, retracted abdomen, dry tongue, difficulty urinating (less than once every 3 hours), lack of tears when crying, sunken eyes - are very dangerous signs that require immediate elimination. Symptoms of dehydration in older children include feeling dizzy when standing up and dry mouth and throat.

Important! Dehydration is the main danger of all intestinal infections. If there is a lack of fluid absorption, irreversible changes in metabolism occur, and the child may fade away within a few days.

How to treat rotavirus infection in a child

Specific treatment, as in cases with viruses of other types, has not been developed. A set of measures is carried out aimed at improving the condition and preventing or eliminating dehydration and symptomatic treatment. The child is prescribed:

Therapeutic and prophylactic drinking regimen: in case of diarrhea, it is necessary to ensure a constant supply of fluid to the baby’s body. Often the disease is accompanied by a child’s reluctance not only to eat, but also to drink. In this case, you need to achieve fluid intake in any way. It is recommended to give drinks in small portions, but constantly, to restore urination at least once every 3 hours. In case of severe diarrhea and vomiting, you should give water even at night. If the symptoms of dehydration are not eliminated, the child is sent to the hospital, where he receives saline solution through an IV;
Preparations that stabilize the water-salt balance: rehydron, glucosolan, gastrolit (strictly on the recommendation of a doctor) and the like;
General antiviral drugs, if deemed necessary by the attending physician;
Sorbents - activated carbon, smecta, polysorb and other agents that remove toxins from the stomach and intestines;
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe antibacterial drugs, but this is rather an exception - only if complications develop in the form of a bacterial infection.

Important! Under no circumstances should you self-prescribe antibiotics to a child (or adult). Their use can significantly aggravate the situation and cause persistent disruption of the intestinal microflora.

Vomiting with influenza in adults

Vomiting with influenza in adults is observed in cases of intestinal influenza. This disease is a viral infection provoked by various types of viruses, but in the vast majority of cases the main cause of this disease is rotavirus, which is why the infection itself is called rotavirus.

The course of intestinal flu is characterized by a general deterioration in the body's condition caused by damage to the gastrointestinal tract and is often accompanied by vomiting. The main way of transmitting this type of infection is through food. Vomiting with this type of flu is often accompanied by sudden attacks of diarrhea and dehydration, which is very dangerous to health. During the first week after contracting this type of infection, the patient is most susceptible to the possibility of transmitting the infection, so it is better to isolate him from others if possible.

Diet for rotavirus infection

A special article in the treatment of a child with intestinal disease is feeding. In addition to replenishing fluid, a special diet is required. There are several rules here:

Babies continue to be breastfed - mother's milk helps fight infection, feeding is organized on demand;
The amount of food, even if you feel well, should not be excessive; preference should be given to vegetable purees;
Particular attention to the composition of the diet - exclude fresh fruits and vegetables (only in heat-treated and crushed form), whole milk and dairy products, legumes, nuts, black bread, spicy, salty, fried;
The child's diet should exclude spicy, salty and sweet dishes and foods;
Frequent drinking is a prerequisite for a quick recovery;
Diet – often little by little.

Parents decide what to feed their child with rotavirus infection; you just need to follow the basic rules. The diet after rotavirus infection during the week after the disease should also exclude fresh vegetables and fruits, preference should be given to pureed vegetables, and from this week fermented milk products can be introduced into the diet.

Important! In the case of intestinal disorders, it is better to underfeed than to overfeed the child; if you refuse to eat, a complete fast for 2 to 3 days is possible (provided there is sufficient fluid intake).

Recovery and prevention

Rotavirus infection in a child is successfully cured. After recovery, lasting immunity remains for about a year. In case of illness, after this period, the course of intestinal disorder is not so severe, and with age it ceases to be a problem at all.

To successfully rid a child of the symptoms of the disease, it is important to carefully follow all medical recommendations, including maintaining dietary nutrition for some time after recovery. Otherwise, there is a high probability of the so-called second wave of the disease: after a seemingly successful completion of the disease, symptoms suddenly return and health worsens. How long a rotavirus infection lasts depends on many factors, including:

Child's age;
State of health at the time of illness;
Compliance with medical recommendations during treatment;
Gradual exit from dietary nutrition;
Have a calm recovery period after illness.

To prevent rotavirus infection, it is necessary to instill basic hygiene skills in children from an early age: the habit of washing hands should appear in childhood. Strengthening the immune system is also important - a healthy body resists viruses well, preventing the development of disease.

Rotavirus infection spreads easily in children. Good hygiene such as hand washing and cleanliness are important but not sufficient to control the spread of the disease.

Vaccine against rotavirus infection in children

A vaccine has been developed against rotavirus infection, which is administered orally. The rotavirus vaccine is the best way to protect your child from rotavirus. Most children (about 9 in 10) who receive the vaccine will be protected against severe rotavirus infection. At the same time, about 7 out of 10 children will be completely free of this infection. Vaccination is recommended for children under 2 years of age, since rotavirus infection in children of this age group can cause serious consequences, including death. It is not included in the vaccination calendar; parents buy the product.

It should be remembered that even vaccinated children can get rotavirus infection more than once. This is due to the fact that vaccination against rotavirus cannot provide complete protection against possible infection. However, vaccinated children are much less likely to get rotavirus infection, and when they do get sick, their symptoms are usually less severe than those of unvaccinated children.

Thus, rotavirus infection in children is one of many childhood diseases, the outcome of which depends entirely on the actions of the parents. Seeing a doctor on time is one of the components of success.

We also recommend reading the articles: “Intestinal obstruction in children: is it dangerous?”, “What can be given to a child when vomiting: a review of drugs.”

Remember that only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis; do not self-medicate without consultation and diagnosis by a qualified doctor. Be healthy!

Flu symptoms

Influenza is a very dangerous disease that is transmitted by air, and therefore quite often affects a large number of people; often signs of the disease are present in the whole family, in most members of large groups. Flu comes with many symptoms:

nasal congestion;
snot;
sneezing;
headaches;
pain and sore throat;
redness of the throat;
redness of the eyes;
increased body temperature;
loss of appetite;
pale skin;
aches in muscles and bones;
darkening of urine;
chills and fever;
cough;
lethargy;
malaise;
drowsiness;
weakness;
thirst;
nausea;
vomiting;
loose stool.

In addition to snot, fever, lethargy, drowsiness, loose stools and vomiting, with intestinal flu there are pains and cramps, rumbling in the abdomen, and loose stools can acquire a yellowish tint and a sour smell. If you notice such signs, you should consult a doctor so as not to harm your body with improper treatment. It is especially not recommended to take medications that stop diarrhea, since loose stools help remove pathogenic microbes and their waste products from the digestive tract.