Whether there can be an intestinal infection without vomiting. Rotavirus: symptoms in a child without fever, treatment and prevention

Young children are more likely than others to suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, the most common of which is intestinal infection. The focus of this pathology is localized in the gastrointestinal tract, the pathogens are pathogenic viruses and microorganisms of various etiologies (rotaviruses, salmonella, klebsiella, escherichia, campylobacter, etc.).

The disease develops rapidly and has a severe course. Especially badly it is tolerated by children under one year old. It is important to start treatment immediately to prevent dehydration and other serious complications.

Acute intestinal infections occupy a leading place among infectious diseases, second only to ARVI in terms of the number of developments.

Types of intestinal infections and pathogens that provoke their development

Intestinal infections are divided into two main types - they are bacterial and viral. Depending on the etiology of the provoking agent, the symptoms of the disease in children differ and the correct treatment is selected. Each type of AEI in children is further subdivided into subspecies, the characteristics of which are presented in the tables below.

Bacterial form of AII

Types of bacterial infection	Characteristic symptoms	Peculiarities
Salmonella	heat; fever; loose stools, often stools have a greenish color and a specific smell.	The infection gets inside with milk, eggs, butter and meat. You can get infected not only from people, but also from pets. This form of pathology is especially difficult for children in 2-3 years. Sometimes toxic shock develops additionally (cerebral edema, renal and heart failure are formed).
Staphylococcal	slight temperature fluctuations; throat hyperemia; runny nose; cramps in the abdomen; release of vomit; diarrhea.	Staphylococci live in the body of every person, but weakened immunity and other factors (for example, the use of stale foods) lead to their active reproduction. The disease is difficult to treat, as pathogenic bacteria quickly adapt to the effects of antimicrobial agents.
Typhoid	feverish state; sore throat; nosebleeds; aches all over the body; pain in the abdomen and at the time of urination.	Infection passes from a sick person or a bacteriocarrier. Pathogenic microorganisms are excreted in feces and urine, after which they spread into the environment. Severe illness can lead to coma.
Escherichiosis	vomit; diarrhea; heat; intestinal and stomach colic.	Most often, this bacterial infection occurs in newborns with a lack of body weight, as well as under the age of 5 years. Pathogenic rods live in the household for several months, so the risk of infection is very high.

Viral form of AII

Types of viral infection	Characteristic symptoms	Peculiarities
Rotovirus (we recommend reading:)	temperature 38–39 degrees; frequent vomiting; liquid stool; false urge to defecate; SARS symptoms.	It is the most common pathology, so many people call it intestinal flu. Infection is possible at any period (including incubation) until the patient is fully recovered.
Enteroviral (more in the article:)	severe fever (temperature rises to 40 degrees); It also manifests itself in damage to the nervous system, heart, muscles and skin.	It occurs due to non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene. This form of pathology affects young children and adolescents.
adenovirus	runny nose; conjunctivitis.	A rare viral disease that occurs in babies under three years of age. It is transmitted through water (for example, in the pool) and by airborne droplets.

Causes of intestinal infection and ways of infection

Infection occurs by airborne droplets and household routes. Pathogenic viruses and bacteria are secreted into environment along with saliva, feces and vomit of the patient. At the same time, getting on household items and food, they are in an active state for up to five days.

The infection enters the human body mainly with dirt. There are the following causes of AEI:

• neglect of the rules of personal hygiene (dirty hands, fruits, vegetables, dishes);
• insufficient heat treatment of food;
• improper storage of products;
• the use of low-quality water (poor filtration and purification);
• bathing in polluted reservoirs, public pools;
• unsanitary living conditions;
• unbalanced diet, leading to a decrease in immunity.

Once in the oral cavity, pathogens enter the gastrointestinal tract. After that, they cause inflammation of the mucous membrane of the intestines, stomach and other digestive organs.

The apogee of the incidence is observed among children under the age of 5 years, mainly in autumn and summer. Experts note that breastfed babies are less likely to become infected, as they are protected by the mother's immunity.

Incubation period

In children of any age, the incubation period of intestinal infection lasts from 12 hours to 5-6 days. After this, the acute stage of the pathology begins, which lasts about a week. During this period, the patient retains the main symptoms (high temperature, nausea, diarrhea), which pose a great danger to health.

Then the body gradually develops immunity to the causative agent of the disease, and health improves. Re-infection after recovery is impossible.

Signs of the disease

Intestinal infection in children progresses very quickly - the first signs of pathology appear within three days. The patient is observed: general weakness and sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, the skin becomes pale, the temperature rises sharply (up to 39 degrees), vomiting and loose stools occur (we recommend reading:). In rare cases, there may be skin rashes and itching.

The first signs of an intestinal infection will appear within 3 days after infection.

Typical symptoms of intestinal infection in children

Symptoms of an intestinal infection are always expressed in an acute form. The main and most dangerous of them is diarrhea. Defecation occurs more than 10-15 times a day. Fecal masses have a liquid structure, contain mucus and bloody inclusions. If no measures are taken to stabilize the patient's condition, dehydration will develop. Typical symptoms of AKI:

• severe vomiting and frequent urge to it (regardless of food intake);
• liquid stool;
• high body temperature;
• complete lack of appetite;
• fatigue, lethargy;
• headache and muscle spasms;
• constant sleepiness;
• pain in the abdomen;
• throat hyperemia;
• runny nose;
• cough;
• language overlay.

Diarrhea is one of the most dangerous symptoms of an intestinal infection, which can lead to dehydration.

Changing the behavior of newborn babies

The symptoms of AII in infants and older babies are similar. The disease is characterized by a rapid course, which leads to dehydration and weight loss. This situation is dangerous for the health and life of the baby, so urgent medical attention is needed. How to recognize pathology:

• capricious state - causeless crying, the child almost always sleeps, but is very restless - he presses his legs, screams in his sleep, etc .;
• refusal to eat and profuse vomiting after it;
• diarrhea appears, foam, remnants of undigested food, mucus, blood may be present in the feces (we recommend reading:);
• frequent regurgitation;
• colic in the abdomen;
• temperature rises (37.5–39).

Methods for diagnosing the disease

If a child has signs of AII, then parents should immediately seek help from a specialist so as not to aggravate the condition.

The pediatrician performs a survey of the patient, visual and tactile examination. This is enough to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment. In order to identify the causative agent of the disease, the following diagnostic studies are carried out:

• bacteriological culture of vomit and feces;
• scraping from the opening of the anus;
• coprogram (analysis of feces);
• laboratory blood test for TA.

Treatment at home

After the first symptoms of an intestinal infection appear, parents need to call a doctor at home. It is forbidden to visit the clinic in this state - the disease is contagious in any form.

Home treatment includes several methods that are used in a complex way (we recommend reading:). With the development of the first signs of an intestinal infection in a child, you should consult a doctor. Complex therapy should include both antibacterial agents that affect the cause of the disease, and agents for restoring the water-salt balance, as well as antispasmodics and other agents to relieve symptoms. One of the recommended drugs for the treatment of intestinal infections in adults and children is Macmirror®. It has a high activity against a large group of microorganisms, the most common cause of malaise. The low toxicity of the drug makes it affordable and convenient to use in children and adolescents. In addition to taking medication, it is recommended to follow a special diet and be sure to monitor the child's drinking regimen.

Getting rid of intoxication

Before the doctor arrives, parents should monitor the child's condition. It is important to prevent dehydration of the body. Even if the baby categorically refuses to eat, then he should be given boiled water as much as possible.

During the period of intestinal infection, the baby should not be forced to eat, but constantly soldered with plenty of liquid - the main condition for a quick recovery

If the body temperature rises above 38 degrees, drugs such as Paracetamol, Cefecon or Nurofen are used (dosage by age). The patient is wiped with water with the addition of 1 tsp. vinegar and cover with a light sheet.

A child older than 6 months is allowed to give enterosorbents (Enterosgel, Polysorb, Activated charcoal) to speed up the removal of toxins from the body. Further recommendations will be given by the doctor.

Taking steps to rehydrate

The course of an intestinal infection is almost always accompanied by severe vomiting and diarrhea, as a result of which the body loses a large amount of fluid and minerals. In order to prevent the occurrence of life-threatening complications, it is necessary to constantly replenish the volume of depleted substances.

Parents should give the child boiled water to drink. It is better to give liquid in small portions every 15-20 minutes so as not to provoke vomiting. The required daily fluid intake is calculated from the ratio of 100 ml / 1 kg of body weight.

In addition, drugs are used to restore the water-salt balance - Oralit, Regidron and Glucosolan. The sale of these medicines is permitted without a doctor's prescription.

Regidron Bio must be given to the baby in violation of the intestinal microflora, intoxication and to prevent dehydration

After taking any drug of this group, the patient's well-being becomes much better, the signs of intoxication gradually disappear. If it is not possible to buy medicine, you can use folk remedies - for example, a decoction of raisins or rice.

Use of antibiotics

Antimicrobial therapy for intestinal infections is used only in extreme cases. Usually basic therapeutic methods are enough to completely eliminate the disease. It is impossible to arbitrarily give the child to drink drugs of this group without the consent of the doctor.

Antibiotics have a detrimental effect on the intestinal microflora, and in most cases their consumption is completely pointless and ineffective. The World Health Organization has approved a list of pathological conditions in which it is allowed to prescribe an antibacterial agent:

• hemocolitis (presence of blood in vomit and feces);
• severe types of cholera;
• persistent diarrhea (including giardiasis).

Diet for OKI

During the illness, the daily diet of the baby should be adjusted. The food you eat should contain more vitamins, proteins and minerals.

The menu should include well-cooked, steamed, puréed and preferably salt-free dishes. Below is a list of recommended products for AII:

• dairy products;
• cottage cheese;
• lean meats;
• steam fish;
• vegetable puree;
• it is better to replace bread with crackers;
• rice and vegetable soups;
• freshly squeezed fruit juices;
• porridge from buckwheat and rice on the water.

It is forbidden to give the child whole milk, sour berries, raw vegetables. Fruit should be avoided until the main symptoms of the pathology have passed. You need to take food in small doses 5-6 times a day. If vomiting persists, it is recommended to reduce servings by 20-25%.

With an intestinal infection, a strict diet must be followed: during an exacerbation, the baby can be given biscuit cookies, crackers and bagels

What absolutely can not be done if you suspect an AII?

First of all, you can not independently establish and treat the baby. Acute intestinal infections can hide some surgical pathologies, and the younger the child, the more severe the disease is. The doctor prescribes therapy, taking into account the etiology and manifestation of acute intestinal infections.

Analgesics and pain medications are also prohibited. Their action changes the overall clinical picture, so a specialist can establish an incorrect diagnosis and, accordingly, prescribe an ineffective treatment.

You can not do an enema and give the baby fixing and astringent medicines (for example, Loperamide and Imodium tablets). During diarrhea, most of the pathogens come out naturally. If you stop this process, the situation can only aggravate.

When is hospitalization indicated?

Not always therapeutic actions have a positive dynamics of the disease. When, in addition to the main symptoms, droplets of blood appear in the vomit or feces, the child should be immediately hospitalized.

If the child is not getting better and there are symptoms of dehydration, it is better to contact the hospital for qualified medical care.

Inpatient treatment is also indicated when dehydration occurs. In a child of 2–3 years, dehydration is expressed as follows:

• no urination for more than 4-6 hours;
• dry lips;
• the baby cries without the release of tears;
• dry oral mucosa, salivation completely disappears;
• the skin looks tight;
• in infants, the eyes and fontanel sink.

If the patient has the above phenomena, parents should urgently call an ambulance. For young children, such a condition is fraught with disruption of the work of all vital systems of the body and death within a few hours. It is possible to stabilize the situation only in a hospital setting.

Doctors will promptly carry out rehydration procedures - the introduction of intravenous special solutions, as well as prescribe additional medications.

It is impossible to say how long such measures will be shown - it depends on the positive dynamics of the disease. In some cases, hospitalization is also indicated:

• acute (paroxysmal) pain in the abdomen;
• diarrhea in infants;
• vomiting does not stop, and the child refuses to drink water;
• urine turned brown;
• feverish state.

Complications of acute intestinal infection

With incorrect / untimely implementation of therapy, dehydration of the body, disruption of the normal functioning of internal organs, intestinal dysbacteriosis, and a decrease in the protection of the immune system may occur. Severe pathology leads to the following complications:

• neurotoxicosis - the patient has a disorder of consciousness, sleep disturbance, hallucinations and convulsions are possible;
• circulatory disorder - blood pressure drops, the skin becomes pale, problems of the cardiovascular system form;
• kidney failure - poor urine output, dull pain in the lower back;
• hypovolemic shock - develops due to dehydration, sunken eyes, weight loss.

If you treat the intestinal infection negligently, it can provoke the development of serious complications.

Prevention of acute intestinal infection

To prevent AEI infection, cleanliness must be instilled in a child from an early age. As a preventive measure, it is enough to follow the basic rules of personal hygiene:

• washing hands before eating, as well as after visiting the toilet, public places, street walks;
• hygienic processing of fruits/vegetables.

If there is an infected person in the family, then the patient is treated in a separate room, he is given an individual towel, bed linen and utensils. Periodically, the room is disinfected and ventilated.

After each visit to the toilet, the toilet bowl / baby potty is treated with a disinfectant. Contact with healthy family members should be kept to a minimum.

Intestinal infection is a concept that combines many different diseases. The cause of their appearance is viruses and bacteria, as well as toxins that are produced in the process of their life. Almost everyone faces this problem at least once in their life. In order to avoid such unpleasant situations, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of the disease, the characteristics of infection and the symptoms that appear.

Intestinal infection combines about 30 diseases. They develop under the influence of pathogenic microorganisms. Damage occurs first digestive system.

Regardless of the type of microorganism that provoked the development of the disease, intestinal infections begin acutely and have common symptoms. There are signs of general intoxication of the body, as well as special manifestations by which it is possible to recognize the causative agent of the problem.

Intestinal infections affect people of all ages, including infants. There are several various ways infections. At risk are children, the elderly, people suffering from chronic diseases or alcoholism.

The main causes of the disease

The cause of the development of the disease is the entry into the body of pathogenic microorganisms. This can happen in several ways:

1. Contact with dishes or food contaminated with feces of rodents or insects.
2. Violation of food storage standards. It is impossible to store raw meat or fish and fruits on the same shelf of the refrigerator, which will not undergo heat treatment before use.
3. Insufficient heat treatment of products. Most pathogenic microflora dies when heated above 70 degrees.
4. Violation of the temperature regime of food storage. This is especially true for confectionery and sausage products, milk-containing products, as well as cooked meals. Under the condition of room temperature, microorganisms enter the phase of active reproduction.
5. The use of low quality products that are contaminated with microorganisms.
6. Drinking contaminated water.

In order to prevent infection, it is necessary to carefully monitor the quality of drinking water and food, as well as observe the rules of storage and preparation of food.

If you are not sure about the safety of food, it is better to throw it away. Even the slightest signs of spoilage indicate that the entire product is contaminated and its use is dangerous to health.

What causes the disease

Entering the human body bacteria have a negative effect on the mucous surfaces of the intestines and stomach. The inflammatory process starts. Its localization leads to the appearance of the following concomitant diseases:

1. Enteritis is a lesion of the small intestine.
2. Gastritis is an inflammation of various parts of the surface of the stomach.
3. Colitis is damage to the walls of the large intestine.
4. Enterocolitis - inflammation simultaneously affects several sections of the intestine.
5. Gastroduodenitis - simultaneous damage duodenum and surface of the stomach.

All of the above diseases are observed in acute form. Intestinal infection becomes a provoking factor.

Classification and pathogens

The classification of intestinal infections is compiled according to the type of microorganisms that caused the disease. Allocate:

1. Bacterial. Bacteria are the causative agents. They are either pathogenic or opportunistic. The former include microorganisms that should not be contained in the human body. When infected, they immediately provoke the development of inflammation. Opportunistic bacteria live in the body of every person. But under certain conditions, their active reproduction occurs, which triggers the inflammatory process. The penetration of dangerous microflora into the body occurs when the basics of hygiene are violated, as well as the use of infected food and water.
2. Viral. Inflammation occurs due to the activity of viruses. Infection occurs by oral, household or airborne droplets. The likelihood of such an infection is much higher than a bacterial one. A person who has been ill also becomes a carrier of the virus. It is dangerous to others for two to three weeks after treatment.
3. Protozoan. They are quite rare. Infection occurs by swallowing dirty water from infected reservoirs. Treatment is quite long and requires the use of specialized drugs.

Depending on the type of disease, treatment programs may vary slightly. That's why, before starting therapy, it is imperative to determine the pathogen.

causative agents of bacterial infection

The names and types of intestinal infections often come from the name of the pathogen. Based on the frequency of infection, the list of bacterial diseases is headed by:

1. Escherichiosis. The disease is caused by the activity of Escherichia coli. There is rapid damage to the intestines. Most often this problem occurs in young children.. Bacteria do not lose activity for several months.
2. Dysentery. The cause of intoxication is the vital activity of bacteria belonging to the genus Shigella. As they die, a large amount of toxin is produced in the human body. Dysentery is spread through contact with an infected person or after drinking contaminated water or food.
3. Typhoid fever . Microorganisms enter the human body with water and food. As the disease progresses, there is an increase in lesions in the intestine, ulcers and ruptures of the wall are formed. The danger of the disease is also that its incubation period can reach two weeks.
4. Salmonellosis. The causative agent is Salmonella bacterium. Infection most often occurs after eating poor-quality meat, butter, eggs or milk. Difficult to bear in childhood. Can lead to serious complications, such as cerebral edema or kidney failure.
5. Cholera. Vibrio cholerae becomes the causative agent. During the illness, severe dehydration of the body occurs due to incessant diarrhea and vomiting. There are frequent cases of death.
6. Brucellosis. Brucella intoxication leads to damage not only to the gastrointestinal tract, but also to the musculoskeletal, reproductive and nervous systems. Most often, infection occurs after the use of low-quality dairy products. Microorganisms are not transmitted from person to person.
7. Helicobacteriosis. Exposure to Helicobacter pylori leads to serious damage to the duodenum and other parts of the digestive system. Ulcers may form on the mucous membranes.
8. Botulism. This deadly disease is caused by botulinum toxin. Microorganisms reproduce in the absence of oxygen. Therefore, home-made canned food prepared in violation of technology often becomes a source of infection.
9. Staphylococcus. It is caused by bacteria of the same name of the group of opportunistic pathogens. The slow progression of the disease is often confused with the common cold. Improper treatment leads to complications.

Causative agents of bacterial intestinal infections multiply rapidly in the human body. With improper or untimely treatment of such diseases, serious complications develop. Therefore, at the first symptoms, it is necessary to seek help from a doctor.

Viral infections

A viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract is no less dangerous than a bacterial one. There are several varieties of it:

1. Enteroviral. It is observed in acute form. First of all, the muscular and nervous systems are affected, the heart.
2. Enteral hepatitis A and E. Infection occurs when drinking poor-quality water, eating infected foods, or using dirty dishes.
3. Rotavirus gastroenteritis. This disease is also called intestinal flu. Infection can occur through contact with a sick person. Therefore, when a large number of people are in close contact, for example, at school or kindergarten, an epidemic is often observed.

Treatment of such diseases should be carried out under the mandatory supervision of a physician.. Remember that self-medication can have an extremely negative impact on your health.

Protozoal infections

The following types of the disease are distinguished:
Amoebiasis is an infection by amoebas. The large intestine is affected first. The development of abscesses in various internal organs is observed. Infection through water, food or interaction with a sick person.

1. Toxoplasmosis. It is caused by toxoplasma - microorganisms that live in the cells of the human or animal body.
2. Giardiasis. The causative agent is lamblia. They live in the human small intestine. The disease develops as enteritis. With untimely treatment, protozoa spread throughout the body.
3. Balantidiasis. It is caused by the vital activity of the ciliates balantidia. Accompanied by the development of ulcerative colitis.

It is possible to detect the presence of microorganisms in the human body by analyzing urine, feces or vomit. Immunity to such diseases is not developed.

Symptoms of the disease

The main manifestations and symptoms of acute intestinal infections are similar. At first, the disease may be asymptomatic.. But more often the symptoms manifest themselves quite sharply. The first to appear are:

1. Pain in the abdomen, which is paroxysmal in nature. The duration of one attack can be up to four minutes.
2. Decreased appetite.
3. Diarrhea. This symptom must be stopped as soon as possible. Prolonged diarrhea often causes severe dehydration.
4. Sleep problems.
5. Eruptions on the skin.
6. Attacks of nausea, vomiting.
7. Loud extraneous noises in the abdomen.
8. Fatigue, drowsiness.
9. Fever in acute intestinal infections is quite common.

Depending on the pathogen that started the disease, a number of specific symptoms are also distinguished. Intestinal infection syndrome is manifested by one of the following problems:

1. gastritis syndrome. Accompanied by pain localized in the stomach, incessant bouts of nausea and vomiting after each meal.
2. gastroenteritis syndrome. Unpleasant sensations are concentrated in the navel, vomiting appears, feces become greenish, they may contain mucus or blood impurities.
3. enteric syndrome. Its main symptom is frequent watery stools, which are not accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Most often, this course of the disease is observed in cholera.
4. enterocolitic syndrome. Characterized severe pain in the abdomen, increased urge to defecate. Such symptoms are characteristic of dysentery or salmonellosis.
5. colitis syndrome. Pain is localized in the lower abdomen. There are traces of mucus and blood in the stool. There may be false urges to defecate.

Bacterial intestinal infection has symptoms of dehydration. This is a dangerous condition that, if left untreated, is fatal.

Features of the course of the disease in childhood

Intestinal infections in childhood are quite common. The course of the disease is accompanied by vivid symptoms. Infection most often occurs through poor-quality drinking water, milk formulas, dirty fruits and vegetables.. In some cases, a child becomes ill after contact with an infected person. Most often, children suffer from the following diseases:

1. Enterovirus.
2. Salmonellosis.
3. Rotavirus infection.
4. Dysentery.
5. Escherichiosis.

The first signs of an intestinal infection: pain in the tummy, fever, and vomiting. Traces of mucus and blood are found in the feces. Dehydration is manifested by thirst, reduced urine volume and dry mucous membranes. With a long stay in this state, weakness, excessive drowsiness appear.

If the baby's body temperature has risen to 39 degrees, you should immediately consult a doctor. In addition to taking medications, treatment will include following a special diet.

What complications can the disease lead to?

If therapy was started late or the degree of intoxication was significant, complications may develop. Among them are:

1. Infectious-toxic shock. It appears shortly after infection. Its cause is an overestimated concentration of toxic substances in the body.
2. Dehydration. Occurs due to prolonged diarrhea and vomiting. If dehydration reaches a critical point, a person may fall into a coma, after which death will occur. Signs of the problem are: a long absence of urination, dry mucous membranes, palpitations, low blood pressure, discoloration of the skin.
3. Acute renal failure. May develop under the influence of toxins or become a consequence of dehydration.
4. Pneumonia. Often found in children. It develops against the background of partial dehydration.

If a bowel infection has led to such complications, long-term complex treatment will be required.

What not to do if you suspect an intestinal infection

Often people, suspecting an infection in their intestines, try to cope with it on their own. Such self-treatment cannot pass without a trace and often leads to complications. Remember a few activities that are prohibited for such a disease:

1. Relieve pain with painkillers. This will complicate the accurate diagnosis and the correct development of a treatment program..
2. Use fixatives without a doctor's prescription. In an acute infectious disease, toxins accumulate in the intestines. Diarrhea helps the body cleanse itself. Taking such medications at this point will provoke an increase in the concentration of toxins, which will aggravate the course of the disease.
3. Apply hot compresses to the abdomen. Heat increases the inflammatory process.
4. Apply folk or homeopathic remedies. Such techniques are permissible only as an addition to conservative treatment after consultation with the attending physician.

Only correct timely treatment with a preliminary medical examination can guarantee a successful recovery. Delay can threaten not only your health, but also life.

Correct diagnosis

In order to accurately determine the diagnosis and prepare a treatment program, the following measures are necessary:

1. Collection of anamnesis. The doctor should interview the victim for complaints. It is also necessary to find out the events that preceded the onset of symptoms. Then the specialist examines the patient, assesses his condition.
2. A special rapid test will help identify a viral infection. To conduct it, the test strip is lowered into the feces of a person. Readings are taken after 10 minutes. If the result is negative, testing for bacterial infection is necessary.
3. Bacteriological examination allows you to accurately determine the pathogen. It is carried out by sowing samples of feces and vomit on a favorable environment. After a few days colonies of microorganisms are formed.
4. Based on the blood test, a serological study is performed. It can be used to detect the presence of antibodies to microorganisms in the blood.

So simple and affordable methods allow to identify pathogens with high accuracy. If signs of complications appear, the doctor additionally prescribes an instrumental examination, for example, colonoscopy, irrigoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. They help to determine the state of the digestive system.

Basic principles of treatment

Often people wonder if an intestinal infection can go away on its own. The specialist gives an unequivocal answer to this - no. The disease requires complex treatment. Otherwise, there is a high probability of developing serious complications. An individual therapy table is compiled for each patient. The principles of treatment are as follows:

1. Compliance with the pastel regime and a certain diet. During an exacerbation, it is recommended to consume liquid food: vegetable soups, broths from lean meats, cereals. Boiled fish, steam scrambled eggs, baked peeled apples, cookies without muffin are also allowed. It is strictly forbidden to consume milk, smoked and fried foods, canned food, seasonings, onions, garlic, alcoholic beverages. Milk is not recommended for the next three months after recovery.
2. The use of specialized medicines. It includes the following areas:
   • Treatment is primarily aimed at stopping the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms. For this, antibiotics and intestinal antiseptics are used. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics are the fluoroquinolones.
   • At the same time, it is necessary to take funds to restore normal intestinal microflora. These include probiotics: Linex, Hilak Forte, Acipol and others.
   • Rehydration therapy helps to restore the water-salt balance. Together with sufficient fluid intake, intravenous infusions of certain solutions are used.
   • It is possible to cleanse the body of toxins with the help of sorbents: Filtrum, Enterosgel, Smekta and others.
   • Enzyme preparations help to establish normal digestion: mezim, creon, pancreatin.

In especially severe cases, hospitalization of the victim in a medical facility may be necessary. If a disease dangerous to others is detected, then the patient is isolated. It is necessary to treat the disease under the supervision of specialists. The correct therapy regimen is developed after a reliable identification of the pathogen.

Preventive actions

In order to minimize the chance of infection, the following guidelines should be followed:

1. Always follow the rules of personal hygiene. Try to wash your hands as often as possible. If this is not possible, use antiseptics. It can be antibacterial wet wipes or a special hand gel.
2. Use only bottled or boiled water. Never drink from unknown sources, let alone water bodies.
3. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating. If you plan to feed children, then you need to wash fruits in boiled water. It will not be superfluous to scald them with boiling water.
4. Eat only well-cooked meals. This is especially true for meat and fish.
5. Perishable foods must be kept refrigerated.
6. Do not accumulate garbage in the house. It can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria. Try to clean your house as often as possible. Pay special attention to the sanitary condition of the bathroom and toilet. High humidity also promotes the growth of bacteria.

Compliance with such simple rules will help you forget about the problem of how to get rid of an intestinal infection forever. Always be mindful of your health and the foods you eat.

Remember that at the first symptoms of intoxication, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable.

Almost every person at least once in his life is faced with an intestinal infection. Many people confuse this disease with food poisoning, but unlike it, the infection is provoked by pathogenic microorganisms that cause inflammation in the digestive tract, and is a serious and dangerous disease that requires a detailed examination and qualified treatment. In this article, we reviewed the symptoms and treatment of intestinal infections in adults, methods of diagnosis, first aid and prevention of these diseases.

Intestinal infection - what is it

Acute intestinal infection is a term that unites a group of diseases transmitted by the fecal-oral route, caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Bacteria and viruses are the causative agents.

Pathogenic pathogens can be found in food or transmitted from person to person. Microorganisms, entering the body through the digestive tract, begin to release dangerous toxins and actively multiply. They can penetrate the walls of the intestines, cause an inflammatory process in them. Such diseases are always accompanied by severe intoxication and intestinal symptoms.

In the absence of correct and timely medical treatment, acute intestinal infections can lead to a significant deterioration in the patient's condition and pose a threat to his life. It is believed that children are the most susceptible to these diseases.. But even in adults, these infectious diseases can occur in an acute form, leading to dehydration and malfunction of the whole organism.

In the case of ordinary food poisoning, the disease is not provoked by bacteria, but by toxins formed in spoiled and low-quality foods. Such conditions do not require bacterial therapy and long-term treatment. A poisoned person is not contagious and dangerous to other people.

Types of intestinal infections, methods of their transmission

What diseases are intestinal infections and how can they be infected? This question, at first glance, is simple, but many, confusing infections with poisoning, cannot give an accurate answer to it and recognize a life-threatening condition in time.

Intestinal infections include a large number of different diseases. Some of them proceed in an acute form, and carry a danger to the patient, while some pass safely and quickly.

The main route of transmission of intestinal infection is fecal-oral. A person can become infected from a sick person or from a person who has recently had the disease. Sometimes in the period after the disease, people remain carriers of bacteria and are dangerous to others.

An outbreak of intestinal infection can develop in people who eat food prepared by an infectious person. Bacteria through unwashed hands after the toilet get into food.

Each type of intestinal infection has its own characteristics in the ways of transmission and spread among the population. Pathogens can spread not only from person to person. Some foods are natural reservoirs for them.

Below are the main types of intestinal infections and the features of their transmission to humans.

Dysentery

Dysentery, or dirty hands disease, is an infectious disease that is prevalent throughout the planet. Most often it develops in the hot season.. Caused by Shigella bacteria. You can get infected from a sick person, as well as by drinking contaminated water, unwashed vegetables or fruits.

Outbreaks of dysentery are frequent in the summer. People while swimming in water bodies can swallow contaminated water. The mentality of our people allows them to relieve themselves while swimming, thereby exposing other swimmers to the risk of infection.

salmonellosis

This intestinal infection is very insidious. Often salmonellosis pathogens multiply in food products, while not changing them palatability . You can become infected with salmonellosis by eating eggs, dairy and meat products, and sausages. At the same time, the food consumed can be fresh and of high quality, not have any wrong smell or taste.

Most often, a person becomes infected with salmonellosis precisely when eating chicken or duck eggs from infected birds. At the same time, the eggs are no different from normal ones; it is impossible to suspect infection without laboratory tests.

The bacteria caused by salmonella is found inside the eggs, not on the shell. For some reason, there is an opinion among the population that if you wash the egg thoroughly, you can protect yourself from salmonellosis. Eggs certainly need to be washed, but this will not protect you from this intestinal bacterial infection.

Cholera

This intestinal disease is one of the most dangerous. A person can die in a matter of hours from the loss of a large amount of water and severe intoxication..

Fortunately, in our time it does not happen often, its episodes are single. The cholera epidemic most often develops in the summer.

You can get sick by drinking contaminated water or swimming in water bodies. A sick person can infect others while preparing food with dirty hands. Vibrio cholerae can be carried by flies.

Rotavirus

This viral intestinal disease is popularly called "intestinal flu", since it manifests itself not only with symptoms from the digestive system, but with catarrhal symptoms characteristic of SARS.

Rotavirus is a seasonal disease, and its outbreaks most often develop in the autumn-winter period.

You can get infected from a sick person.

This infection is transmitted by the fecal-oral route.

Enterovirus

Enterovirus outbreaks are very common. This pathogen can be transmitted from person to person.

Also it can accumulate in the ground, food. The virus is able to remain active for a long time, staying on personal hygiene items.

A person who has had an enterovirus infection is dangerous to others for a long time and can remain a carrier of the infection for a certain period.

Clinical picture of intestinal infections

Signs of an intestinal infection do not appear immediately after infection. Usually, there is an incubation period between exposure to the infection and the onset of the first symptoms. This is the time required for pathogenic microbes to penetrate the intestinal walls, multiply and produce toxins.

The duration of the incubation period is individual for each pathogen. For example, with salmonellosis, it can last from 6 hours to 3 days, and in the case of cholera - 1-5 days.

The following are the main symptoms of gastrointestinal infections:

• Hyperthermia is an increase in body temperature. Its numbers can reach 38-39 degrees. This is due to severe intoxication and an acute inflammatory process that develops in the walls of the intestine.
• Nausea and vomiting. At first, the patient can vomit with the remnants of food, then the vomit consists of gastric juice, bile and fluid taken orally.
• Abdominal pain. It can be acute or aching, localized in different parts of the abdomen. Dysentery is characterized by tenesmus - sharp pain during the act of defecation.
• Diarrhea. The type and consistency of feces depends on the type of pathogen. So, with cholera, the feces are watery, resembling rice water. Salmonellosis is characterized by liquid green fetid stools. With dysentery, streaks of blood and mucus can be seen in the feces.
• General weakness and malaise - develop due to intoxication and loss of a large amount of fluid.
• Increased gas formation, flatulence, bloating. These processes can be accompanied by severe intestinal colic.
• In the case of rotavirus, the patient develops catarrhal symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, cough.

With an intestinal infection, dehydration can develop. With vomiting and diarrhea, the body loses a large amount of fluid and essential trace elements. The patient's pulse quickens, the level of blood pressure decreases, breathing quickens, the skin turns pale. Against the background of such a condition, convulsions, heart rhythm disturbances, and consciousness may develop.

First aid for intestinal infections

Help with the development of intestinal infection should be provided in the first minutes of the onset of symptoms. It is possible to determine the development of this disease by rapidly rising temperature and abundant stools, a deterioration in the human condition. With the development of the first clinical signs of this disease, you need to call an ambulance.

Remember that self-treatment of an intestinal infection in adults at home is very dangerous, it can lead to serious consequences. Only a doctor after a detailed examination of the patient can prescribe the correct etiological treatment.

While waiting for the arrival of doctors, begin to provide first aid to the poisoned person. Thanks to it, you can slightly alleviate the patient's condition, reduce the severity of the intoxication syndrome.

Below are the main actions that you can use to help the sick person before the arrival of the ambulance team.

Gastric lavage

Why wash it, you ask, if intestinal poisoning occurs after a certain incubation period, dangerous food has long since left the gastric cavity? In fact, this procedure will help remove some of the toxins and waste products of microorganisms, and will greatly facilitate the patient's well-being. It should also be borne in mind that acute poisoning can also manifest itself with similar symptoms at first, in which cleansing the stomach is the main emergency saving procedure.

For gastric lavage, you will need plain water at room temperature. You need to drink 2-3 glasses of water in one gulp and induce vomiting by pressing your finger on the root of the tongue.

According to modern first aid protocols, the use of potassium permanganate solution for gastric lavage by doctors is not welcome. The effectiveness of this method does not exceed the use of ordinary water. An improperly prepared solution for washing based on potassium permanganate can cause acute poisoning and burns of the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach.

Cleansing enema

She helps to remove toxins formed in the intestines under the influence of pathogenic bacteria. It is carried out on the basis of plain boiled water. To carry it out, you will need a cup of Esmarch, baby cream or petroleum jelly. For enema, use only water at room temperature. Hot and cold liquids are contraindicated.

Sorbents

Any sorbents, for example, sorbex, atoxyl, smecta or activated charcoal for intestinal infection, can be taken at the stage of first aid. These drugs help to neutralize and remove toxins from the intestines and reduce the level of intoxication syndrome.

Before taking the drug, you need to carefully read the instructions, check the expiration date medicinal product. The recommended dosage should be observed and not exceeded.

Plentiful drink

Fluid must be ingested in large quantities. It can be plain or mineral water, weak black or green tea. You should drink constantly, little by little. For example, five sips every 10 minutes.

The rest of the assistance will be provided by ambulance and hospital doctors. The main drugs against intestinal infection will be prescribed after a detailed examination of the patient and diagnosis.

Establishing diagnosis

If an intestinal infection is suspected, patients are hospitalized in the infectious diseases department. The doctor examines the patient, collects an anamnesis, asks him about the products that he has consumed over the past few days, the catering places where he ate. In order to choose the right etiological cure for an intestinal infection, you need to make an accurate diagnosis, identify the pathogen, and also assess the condition of the internal organs and the whole organism.

The following are the main methods of laboratory and instrumental examination for suspected intestinal infection:

• A general detailed blood test allows you to distinguish between a bacterial and a viral infection.
• A biochemical blood test is aimed at identifying violations of the internal organs and electrolyte failure in the body.
• Bacteriological examination of feces is carried out to identify the pathogen. With it, you can determine the type of intestinal infection. This is necessary for the appointment of etiological treatment.
• An electrocardiogram is necessary for the timely detection of rhythm disturbances that may occur against the background of a water-electrolyte shift.
• A general urine test is needed to assess the condition of the kidneys, which are very sensitive to various intoxications and infections.
• An ultrasound examination of the internal organs is performed to identify possible disorders in the pancreas, liver, gallbladder and kidneys.

This list of examinations can be expanded or narrowed by the attending physician, depending on the clinical picture and the patient's condition, the results of the tests already received.

note that diagnosis and diagnosis is carried out in parallel with the provision of necessary assistance to the patient, fight against intoxication and dehydration.

Treatment of intestinal infection

How to treat an intestinal infection in adults at home? The answer to this question is very simple - no way. Don't risk your health by self-medicating. Many people are afraid of infectious diseases departments and think that there they can pick up some other sore. In fact, in the hospital, all patients are in separate isolated boxes or divided by type of disease. The risk of catching something there is very small. But the possibility of getting complications with self-treatment is very high.

So what to do? It is necessary to agree to the hospitalization offered by the ambulance team. The doctor in the hospital will select the necessary drugs to treat the infection, will adjust the water and electrolyte balance. To quickly cure this disease, you must strictly follow all of his recommendations and adhere to the appointments.

Below are the main components of the treatment of intestinal infection:

• Rehydration therapy is aimed at combating dehydration and intoxication. First, the patient is injected intravenously with the necessary solutions, since he cannot drink water due to constant vomiting. Then, after stabilization of the condition, a plentiful drink is prescribed. You can drink plain water or special solutions, for example, rehydron.
• Antibiotics are the main pills for intestinal infection of bacterial etiology. Appointed by a doctor after identifying the pathogen. They are selected individually.
• Diet. During the first few days, you can only eat rice water or boiled oatmeal porridge with a mucous consistency.
• Sorbents are prescribed to remove toxins from the intestinal cavity. They must be taken separately from other medicines.
• Enzymes. They are used to improve digestion and unload the pancreas.
• Antacids are prescribed for heartburn and abdominal pain. These symptoms often manifest chronic gastritis, which can worsen against the background of the disease.
• After the end of the course of antibiotics, drugs are prescribed that restore the intestinal microflora.

The patient is discharged after repeated stool tests. If microorganisms are not detected in them, a person is considered not dangerous and not capable of provoking infection of the people around him.

Also, in parallel with the treatment prescribed by the doctor, some folk remedies for intestinal infections can be used. The safest and most beneficial is chamomile tea.. It is considered a natural natural antiseptic, helps relieve inflammation from the intestinal walls. A decoction of flax seeds can also be used. They treat exacerbation of gastritis. You can take it with a feeling of discomfort in the stomach, frequent heartburn.

Prevention of intestinal infections

How to protect yourself and loved ones from this terrible infectious disease? Unfortunately, there are no vaccines and inoculations against intestinal infection, or 100% of effective methods of prevention. From the development of this disease, no one is immune. But thanks to simple recommendations, you can minimize the risk of its development.

Below we have put together some tips for you that will help in the prevention of intestinal infections:

1. Practice personal hygiene, always wash your hands before eating, even before a small snack.
2. Store meat products and eggs only in the refrigerator, separately from ready-made meals.
3. Buy products only from licensed markets or stores. Avoid spontaneous bazaars.
4. Do not eat cream cakes during the hot season. At this time, the risk of developing an infection there increases significantly.
5. Don't buy street food. Very often, when preparing it, the basics of hygiene are not observed and all sanitary standards are violated.

Intestinal infections are dangerous diseases, they can be contracted from a sick person. When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should seek medical help. Self-medication is a dangerous and rash act that can lead to serious consequences.. You do not need to search on the Internet for how to treat this disease, you should immediately contact qualified specialists. All drugs are prescribed by a doctor after examination and examination of the patient. Their action is aimed at fighting infection, reducing intoxication and dehydration, and restoring the digestive system.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

Intestinal infection is an acute disease manifested by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, enteritis, colitis, gastroenteritis, gastroduodenitis, enterocolitis, etc.), accompanied by digestive disorders (diarrhea, undigested food residues in the feces) and caused by various pathogenic microorganisms, capable of entering the intestine through the mouth and causing an inflammatory process in the cells of this organ.

General characteristics and essence of the disease

Under the term "intestinal infection" doctors and scientists mean a whole group of infectious diseases (about 30), in which the organs of the digestive tract are affected - the stomach or various parts of the intestine. As the name implies, all intestinal infections are infectious in nature, that is, they are caused by various pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses or protozoa. Regardless of the nature of the pathogenic microorganism, all intestinal infections are characterized by the same type of symptoms, including intoxication (fever, headache, weakness, etc.), stool disorder (diarrhea), nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain. In addition to the same symptoms, some intestinal infections also have unique manifestations, the presence of which can accurately diagnose the disease.

Thus, it can be concluded that the intestinal infection is a disease caused by a pathogenic microorganism that occurs with symptoms of general intoxication (headache, weakness, temperature), diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain caused by inflammation of the intestinal mucosa or stomach.

Intestinal infections are very widespread, and people of any age get sick with them. But the most susceptible to intestinal infections are children, the elderly, and those who have recently had some other serious illness. According to the frequency of visits to the doctor in developed countries, intestinal infections are in second place after SARS.

Microbes that cause intestinal infections are excreted into the environment with feces, saliva, urine and vomit by people who currently carry the infection or had it less than 2-4 weeks ago. Microbes get into the water, on various objects, as well as on food, in which they remain for a long time. Further, when these microbially contaminated objects, products and water enter the oral cavity, any healthy person becomes infected with an intestinal infection.

Intestinal infections occurs when a pathogenic microorganism enters the digestive tract through the mouth with microbially contaminated food, water, household items, etc. That is, intestinal infection is transmitted by fecal-oral and alimentary routes. In other words, if microbes that cause intestinal infections are found in water, on any objects, parts of the body or products, then when they enter the mouth, they penetrate into the underlying sections of the gastrointestinal tract and cause disease.

Microbes can get into the mouth when eating poorly washed vegetables and fruits, neglecting the rules of hygiene (hands not washed before eating, using the same household items with sick people, etc.), drinking unboiled water (including accidental ingestion during bathing), insufficient heat treatment of meat and dairy products, etc. In addition, causative agents of intestinal infection can be transmitted directly from person to person, for example, by kissing. Very often, children become infected as follows: one of the adults smacks the baby on the cheek, the child wipes the remaining saliva with his hand and then after a while pulls the same hand into his mouth. And if an adult or another child was a carrier of an intestinal infection, then in his saliva there is a microbe-causative agent, which will enter the digestive tract of a healthy baby, causing the disease.

Any intestinal infection leads to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach or various parts of the intestine. And inflammation of the mucosa leads, in turn, to indigestion, which is manifested by diarrhea (diarrhea), abdominal pain and vomiting. Depending on which mucosa of which organ is inflamed, all intestinal infections can occur in the following forms:

• Acute gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining);
• Acute enteritis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the small intestine);
• Acute colitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large intestine);
• Acute gastroduodenitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum);
• Acute enterocolitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the small and large intestines).

form of intestinal infection importance for the formulation of the diagnosis, but not for the treatment, which is almost the same in all cases of diseases with different infections. The diagnosis is formulated as follows: acute colitis on the background of an intestinal infection. That is, the main diagnosis is the area of ​​localization of the inflammatory process (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large intestine), and an indication of an intestinal infection is only a clarification of the causative factor of inflammation.

Depending on what kind of pathogen caused the disease, intestinal infection can be bacterial, viral or protozoal. In principle, the type of pathogen is not very important for treatment, since the treatment of almost all intestinal infections is exactly the same. That is, the treatment of any intestinal infection is carried out according to the same principles, regardless of the type of microbe that provoked it. There are differences only in the treatment of severe bacterial infections, but these diseases are easily recognized by the characteristic clinical symptoms inherent only to them, as a result of which the identification of the pathogen is simply not needed.

In the treatment of intestinal infections the main role is played by replenishment of fluid and salt losses, as well as diet, since the main and very dangerous consequence of any infection is dehydration. If a person can live without food for a month, then without enough water and salts - literally a few days or even hours. Therefore, the main thing in the treatment of any intestinal infection is to replenish the volume of water and salts lost with vomiting and diarrhea.

In the vast majority of cases, to treat an intestinal infection, you do not need to take any medications - antibiotics, sorbents, antiviral agents, etc., since the human body independently produces antibodies to microbes and destroys them, leading to recovery (as in situations with ARVI ). In the meantime, antibodies have not been developed, the body just needs, relatively speaking, to "hold on." In order to "hold out", it is necessary to constantly replenish the loss of fluid and salts that are excreted from the body with loose stools and vomiting. That is why the main treatment for any intestinal infection is to drink plenty of rehydration solutions (Regidron, Trisol, etc.) and diet. Taking antibiotics for intestinal infections is necessary only for severe cholera, blood in the feces and prolonged diarrhea against the background of giardiasis. Enterosorbents and probiotics can be taken at will, since their effectiveness for the treatment of intestinal infections has not been proven, but these drugs do not bring harm either.

Usually, with adequate replacement of fluid loss, intestinal infections, without taking any medications, resolve on their own in 3 to 5 days. If the infection turned out to be severe or fluid losses were not adequately replenished, then complications may develop, and in this case the disease will last longer.

In 90% of cases, any intestinal infection, provided that the loss of fluid and salts is replenished, disappears on its own, without special treatment. And only 10% of cases of intestinal infections require special therapy - antibiotics, intravenous salt solutions, etc.

Diseases related to intestinal infections

Currently, intestinal infections include approximately 30 different diseases, among which the most common are the following:

1. Bacterial intestinal infections:

• Botulism;
• Typhoid fever;
• Halophilia;
• Dysentery;
• Yersiniosis;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection;
• Infection caused by clostridia;
• Klebsiella infection;
• Proteus infection;
• Campylobacteriosis;
• Paratyphoid A and B;
• salmonellosis;
• Staphylococcal food poisoning;
• Cholera;
• Shigellosis;
• Escherichiosis (infections caused by pathogenic varieties of Escherichia coli E. coli).

2. Viral intestinal infections:

• adenovirus infection;
• Infections caused by Norfolk group viruses;
• Coronavirus infection;
• Reovirus infection;
• Rotavirus infection;
• Enterovirus infection (Coxsackie A and B viruses, ECHO viruses).

3. Protozoal intestinal infections:

• Giardiasis;
• Amoebiasis;
• Schistosomiasis;
• Cryptosporidiosis.

Acute intestinal infection

All intestinal infections are acute, that is, they develop suddenly, have pronounced characteristic symptoms and disappear within a relatively short period of time. Cases of chronic intestinal infections are not known, since these diseases are either completely cured or lead to death of a person due to dehydration. Thus, it is obvious that an intestinal infection can only be acute.

After recovery from an intestinal infection, a person may experience digestive disorders within 1 to 3 months, which are attributed to complications or residual effects of the disease. Digestive disorders are caused by severe damage to a large number of intestinal cells, which take time to recover. Accordingly, until the intestinal cells are restored, a person may experience residual effects after an infection, which are a variety of digestive disorders: single loose stools, flatulence, colic, etc.

However, complications are not a sign of a chronic intestinal infection, but only indicate deep damage to a large number of intestinal cells. Some time after the infection, when the intestinal cells are restored, all symptoms and episodes of indigestion will completely disappear. During the period of residual effects after an intestinal infection, it is recommended to follow a diet and carefully process thermally food products, and rinse vegetables and fruits well so as not to get sick again and to speed up the recovery of intestinal cells as much as possible.

Classification

Currently, there are two main classifications of intestinal infections: the first is pathogenetic, for clinical use, and the second is etiological, for scientific purposes. Practitioners use the pathogenetic classification, while scientists and researchers use the etiological one. The pathogenetic classification is based on the characteristics of the course of the disease, and the etiological classification is based on the variety of the pathogenic microbe that causes the infection.

According to the etiological classification, all intestinal infections are divided into the following types:

1. Bacterial intestinal infections (salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, botulism, yersiniosis, escherichiosis, staphylococcal food poisoning, etc.);
2. Viral intestinal infections (adenoviral, rotavirus, enterovirus, reoviral, coronavirus infections, etc.);
3. Protozoal intestinal infections (amebiasis, giardiasis, etc.).

bacterial intestinal infections caused by various microbes belonging to bacteria. Moreover, microbes that cause infections can be both purely pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic. Pathogenic bacteria are bacteria that are not normally present in the human body, and when they enter the intestines, they always cause an infectious disease. Examples of pathogenic bacteria are Vibrio cholerae, typhoid bacillus. Opportunistic bacteria include microorganisms that are normally present in the human intestine in small quantities, and therefore do not cause harm. But if these opportunistic microbes multiply or enter the intestine in large numbers from the outside, then they become pathogenic and cause disease. An example of opportunistic bacteria is Staphylococcus aureus, which is normally present in small quantities in the intestine. But if a large amount of Staphylococcus aureus enters the intestine with poor-quality food (eggs, mayonnaise, etc.), then the microbe acquires pathogenic properties, and an intestinal infection develops in a person.

Bacterial intestinal infections are transmitted by the fecal-oral and alimentary-household routes, that is, when hygiene rules are not followed or when poor-quality products contaminated with microbes are consumed.

Viral intestinal infection caused by the entry into the human intestine of viruses that can cause acute inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Enteroviral and rotavirus intestinal infections are most common in people of different ages. Unlike bacterial, viral intestinal infections can be transmitted not only by the fecal-oral and alimentary-household routes, but also by airborne droplets. Thus, the risk of contracting a viral intestinal infection is higher than that of bacterial infections.

In addition, a person who has had a viral infection remains a carrier of the virus and a source of infection for others for 2 to 4 weeks after recovery. And with bacterial infections, a person is a source of infection for others only 2-4 days after recovery.

Protozoal intestinal infection is less common than bacterial and viral, and infection, as a rule, occurs when unboiled water is swallowed, for example, drinking from untested reservoirs or accidentally swallowed during bathing. Unlike bacterial and viral infections, protozoal intestinal infections can be long-term and require treatment with antiprotozoal drugs.

According to the pathogenetic classification, intestinal infections are divided into the following three groups:

• Infections caused by an unknown pathogen(make up approximately 70% of the total number of cases of intestinal infections recorded by doctors);
• Infections caused by an identified pathogen(make up approximately 20% of the total number of cases of intestinal infections registered by doctors);
• Bacterial dysentery(accounts for approximately 10% of the total number of cases of intestinal infections recorded by physicians).

Ways of infection

The source of intestinal infections is a sick person or an asymptomatic carrier, who release pathogenic microorganisms into the external environment with feces and vomit, as well as with urine. The release of microbes into the external environment occurs from the onset of the disease until complete recovery (disappearance of clinical symptoms). And in the case of viral intestinal infections, the release of the pathogen continues for another 2 to 3 weeks after recovery. Accordingly, a person suffering from an intestinal infection or having had it less than 2 weeks ago is a source of infection for others.

The ways of infection with intestinal infections are oral-fecal, household or, less often, airborne, and the mechanism of transmission of the disease is alimentary. This means that the infectious agent always enters the body through the alimentary route, that is, through the mouth. The pathogen enters the body when eating contaminated food, swallowing water, accidentally licking dirty hands or objects, etc.

The most common ways of transmission of intestinal infections are oral-fecal and household. These transmission routes contaminate food, water or household items with pathogenic microbes excreted by a sick person or an asymptomatic carrier. As a rule, such microbial contamination occurs when personal hygiene and sanitary standards are not observed in the preparation and processing of products (for example, cooking is done in unsanitary conditions, personnel working with food do not wash their hands after using the toilet), as a result of which microbes that are on dirty hands, transferred to food, water or household items. Further, when eating food or swallowing water, as well as licking contaminated household items, microbes enter the mouth of healthy people, from where they penetrate the intestines and cause infection.

The causative agents of intestinal infections can be found on various food products, provided that they have been stored for a long time in improper conditions or processed in unsanitary conditions, as a result of which infection can occur when eating almost any product, including heat-treated products. After all, the causative agents of intestinal infections are resistant to cold, therefore, they retain their pathogenic properties, even if the infected products were stored in the refrigerator.

Most often, intestinal infections occur through the oral-fecal route, in particular when drinking dirty, unboiled water (drinking or accidentally swallowing water while swimming in reservoirs), milk and dairy products, eggs, cakes and meat. In second place in terms of the frequency of infection with intestinal infections is the household route, in which infection occurs during contact with bacteria-contaminated towels, toys, dishes and doorknobs. In the course of contact with household items, a person transfers pathogens of intestinal infections to his hands, and then, after a while, eating something or simply accidentally licking his hands, he introduces microbes into his mouth, from where they enter the intestines and lead to the development of the disease.

Thus, the main reason for the spread of intestinal infections is non-compliance with hygiene standards, such as mandatory hand washing before eating, before cooking, after going to the toilet, after contact with a sick person, as well as using shared dishes, towels and other household items. In addition, a huge role in the spread of intestinal infections belongs to long-term storage of products. After all, the longer the products are stored, the greater the risk of contracting an intestinal infection when they are consumed, since they can be contaminated with pathogenic microbes when touched with dirty hands. And the longer the products are stored, the higher the likelihood that someone will touch them with dirty hands and transfer pathogens of intestinal infections to them.

The most common microbes that cause intestinal infections enter the human body when consuming the following products:

• Staphylococcus aureus - enters the body through the use of bacteria-contaminated mayonnaise, custard and puddings;
• Bacillus cereus - various dishes from rice;
• Vibrio cholerae - ingestion of unboiled water from open reservoirs and the use of any food products on which there were drops of seeded water;
• Pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli - ingestion of unboiled water from open water bodies and the use of any food products that have drops of contaminated water on them;
• Clostridia - being in a hospital;
• Salmonella - the use of poorly washed and thermally unprocessed poultry meat or eggs;
• Yersinia - the use of meat and milk contaminated with bacteria;
• Parahemolytic vibrio - eating raw or cooked seafood;
• Some strains of Escherichia coli, Shigella, Campylobacter - drinking contaminated unboiled water and eating any food prepared or stored in violation of sanitary standards.

As can be seen, most bacterial and protozoal infections are transmitted by eating food and water contaminated with microbes. This is a characteristic feature of bacterial intestinal infections.

As for viral intestinal infections, they are usually transmitted by household and airborne droplets. So, infection with viral intestinal infections in children most often occurs as follows. An adult who is a carrier or suffers from an intestinal infection in an asymptomatic form kisses the baby on the cheek. The child wipes the remnants of saliva with his hand, as a result of which infectious agents appear on his skin. After a while, the child will put his hand in his mouth, and an intestinal infection will occur. If children play in a team, for example, in a kindergarten or on the street with a group of friends, then the spread of viral intestinal infections occurs when the babies are in close contact with each other, in which the patient's saliva enters the skin of healthy people, and from it already into the mouth and further into the intestines .

Thus, we can conclude that from the point of view of infection with bacterial and protozoal intestinal infections, the most dangerous is the use of water and products prepared with non-compliance with sanitary standards. And from the point of view of infection with viral intestinal infections, close contacts of people are dangerous, in which saliva is left on the skin (for example, when kissing, spitting, trying to bite children).

Susceptibility to intestinal infections is the same for all people of any age and gender, so anyone can get sick. However, children of the first year of life, the elderly (over 65 years of age), alcoholics, and those suffering from chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines are most easily infected.

Symptoms

The course and general symptoms of all intestinal infections

After entering the oral cavity, the causative agent of an intestinal infection, together with swallowed saliva, a sip of water or a lump of food, enters the stomach and intestines. In the stomach, the pathogen is not destroyed, because it is resistant to hydrochloric acid. Therefore, it calmly passes further into the intestines, where it begins to actively multiply, causing the development of an infectious disease.

While in the intestines, various pathogens of intestinal infections behave differently. Some microbes penetrate the cells of the intestinal epithelium, causing the development of a pathological inflammatory process in them with their destruction. Accordingly, the destruction of intestinal cells and the inflammatory process in them lead to the development of characteristic symptoms of infection. Penetration into the cells of the intestinal epithelium is characteristic of viruses, salmonella, campylobacter, shigella, yersinia, some varieties of pathogenic Escherichia coli and parahemolytic vibrio.

Other microbes actively multiply and populate the intestines, displacing representatives of the normal microflora from it, which simply die. In the process of life, such microbes release toxic substances (enterotoxins), which cause inflammation and cell death of the intestinal mucosa. Accordingly, under the influence of enterotoxins, symptoms of an intestinal infection develop. Microbes that cause symptoms of infections due to the release of enterotoxins include the vast majority of pathogenic Escherichia coli, Clostridium and Vibrio cholerae.

Third varieties of pathogenic microbes release toxic substances directly in food. And then these toxic substances enter the intestine already in finished form with food, causing the development of an infectious disease. Food-producing bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus.

Regardless of the mechanism of pathogenic effects on the intestines, all pathogens of intestinal infections lead to an inflammatory process in enterocytes (cells of the intestinal mucosa) and digestive disorders. Therefore, all clinical manifestations of intestinal infections are caused and associated with indigestion and destruction of intestinal mucosal cells.

Due to indigestion, the main symptom of any intestinal infection, regardless of the type of pathogen, is diarrhea (diarrhea, loose stools). Moreover, diarrhea is always present with any intestinal infection, and therefore is the main symptom. Other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, weakness, etc. - may be absent or present in various cases, but, unlike diarrhea, they are not mandatory signs of an intestinal infection.

Generally, any intestinal infections are mainly manifested by the following two syndromes:
1. intestinal syndrome.
2. Infectious-toxic syndrome (syndrome of general intoxication).

Both intestinal and infectious-toxic syndromes are always present in any intestinal infection, but have varying degrees of severity.

Intestinal syndrome, depending on the severity of the infection and the type of pathogen microbe, can occur with a number of specific features. Given the peculiarities of clinical symptoms, at present, the intestinal syndrome in various intestinal infections is usually divided into several of the following types:

• gastritis syndrome;
• Gastroenteritis syndrome;
• enteric syndrome;
• Gastroenterocolitic syndrome;
• Enterocolitic syndrome;
• colitis syndrome.

Gastritis syndrome is manifested by severe pain in the stomach, the presence of constant nausea and repeated vomiting after eating or drinking. Diarrhea in gastritis syndrome is a single or, less commonly, 2 to 4 times within a relatively short period of time. Symptoms of gastritis syndrome usually develop with infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (food poisoning) or viruses.

Gastroenteritis syndrome manifested by abdominal pain in the stomach and around the navel, as well as vomiting and frequent, first mushy, and then watery stools. Fecal masses, depending on the type of pathogenic agent, can be colored in different colors: greenish (characteristic of salmonellosis), light brown (escherichiosis), etc. Mucus and undigested food debris may be present in the feces. Gastroenteritis syndrome usually develops with viral intestinal infections, salmonellosis, and diseases caused by pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli. A hallmark of viral intestinal infections is brown liquid foamy stools with a sharp unpleasant odor.

Enteric syndrome manifested by exceptionally frequent watery stools without nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain. The frequency of loose stools is determined by the severity of the infection and the type of microbe that causes the disease. Enteric syndrome usually develops with cholera.

Gastroenterocolitic syndrome manifested by vomiting, frequent loose stools and pain throughout the abdomen. The process of defecation is also painful, and bowel movements do not provide relief even for a short period of time. In the feces, there is often an admixture of blood and mucus. Sometimes only mucus is expelled from the bowel during a bowel movement. Gastroenterocolitic syndrome is characteristic of salmonellosis.

Enterocolitis Syndrome manifested by severe pain throughout the abdomen, frequent urge to defecate, during which either loose stools or a small amount of mucus are released. Episodes of loose stools and mucus usually alternate. Enterocolitic syndrome is characteristic of salmonellosis and dysentery.

colitis syndrome manifested by pain in the lower abdomen (usually on the left), as well as painful frequent bowel movements, in which a small amount of liquid or mushy stool mixed with blood and mucus is released from the intestine. Often there are false urges to defecate. After each bowel movement, there is a short-term relief. The colitis syndrome is characteristic of dysentery.

Infectious-toxic syndrome manifested by an increase in body temperature above 37.5 o C, as well as general weakness, headaches, dizziness, body aches, lack of appetite and nausea. Infectious-toxic syndrome with any intestinal infection usually appears first, and lasts from several hours to several days. As a rule, intestinal syndrome appears after the complete disappearance or decrease in the severity of infectious-toxic.

Infectious-toxic syndrome, depending on the type of pathogen and the severity of the infection, can manifest itself in different ways, that is, a person may have any individual or the entire set of characteristic symptoms. So, in some cases, this syndrome can manifest itself only with headaches, in others - with fever with dizziness, etc.

Thus, summarizing the above symptoms of intestinal infections, we can say that these diseases can manifest themselves with the following symptoms:

• Repeated loose stools (100% of cases);
• Rumbling and splashing in the abdomen (100% of cases);
• An increase in body temperature for various periods of time from several hours to several days (100% of cases);
• Loss of appetite (100% of cases);
• Nausea (100% of cases);
• Pain in various parts of the abdomen (100% of cases);
• Thirst due to dehydration (90% of cases);
• Admixture of blood in the feces (80% of cases);
• General weakness (70% of cases);
• Loss of body weight (60% of cases);
• Fecal masses are similar in appearance to rice water (60% of cases);
• Vomiting (20% of cases);
• Urinary retention (10% of cases).

In addition to these symptoms, intestinal infections always lead to the loss of water and salts (sodium, potassium, chlorine, etc.) from the body due to vomiting and diarrhea, as a result of which dehydration (dehydration) can develop. Dehydration is a very dangerous condition as it can be fatal in a short amount of time. Therefore, until the intestinal infection has passed, you should carefully monitor whether there are signs of dehydration, and if they appear, immediately call an ambulance and be hospitalized. Signs of dehydration are the following symptoms:

• Persistent vomiting that does not allow you to drink liquids;
• Lack of urine for more than 6 hours;
• Urine dark yellow;
• dry tongue;
• Sunken eyes;
• Grayish skin tone;
• Diarrhea stopped, but abdominal pain appeared, or body temperature rose sharply, or vomiting intensified.

temperature in intestinal infections

With any intestinal infections, the body temperature almost always rises to various numbers for various periods of time. In some infections, the temperature rises only for a few hours, while in others it lasts for 2 to 4 days. Moreover, the body temperature is kept within the same values ​​from the moment of its increase and up to normalization. In other words, if at the beginning of the disease the temperature rose to 38 o C, then until its normalization, it should be kept within this value with slight fluctuations. If the body temperature rises sharply, this means that complications of an intestinal infection develop, which must be treated in a hospital (hospital).

An increase in body temperature in various intestinal infections is almost always the first sign of the disease. That is, the temperature rises even before the onset of diarrhea, abdominal pain and other signs of infection. In addition, quite often diarrhea appears after the normalization of body temperature, and in the future the disease proceeds already against the background of normal temperature, and not elevated.

In intestinal infections, elevated body temperature is a factor that increases body fluid loss, so it is recommended to knock it down by taking antipyretic drugs. This is necessary to reduce the loss of fluid, since at high temperatures the body is cooled due to the abundant evaporation of moisture. Doctors and scientists recommend taking antipyretics if the temperature reaches 37.5 o C and above.

Vomiting with intestinal infection

Vomiting does not always accompany intestinal infections. Sometimes it is absent, in some infections it can be single, and in others it can be multiple. During the entire period of the course of the infection, vomiting is not recommended to be stopped by various antiemetics (for example, Cerucal, etc.), since in this way the body removes toxic substances to the outside. When vomiting, you need to drink plenty of fluids to make up for the loss of fluid and salts. Moreover, if vomiting is strong, then you should drink in small sips, a small amount of water or saline solutions at a time, but often.

If vomiting intensifies, or because of vomiting, it is impossible to drink saline solutions, then you should immediately consult a doctor and be hospitalized in a hospital.

Complications

Any intestinal infection can lead to the development of the following complications:

• Dehydration (dehydration)- the most common complication of various intestinal infections, resulting from the loss of water and salts by the body along with diarrhea and vomit. Critical fluid loss for the body is 10% of the initial amount. If there is a critical loss of fluid and salts, then the person falls into a coma with a possible subsequent death. Signs of dehydration include not urinating for 6 hours, dry skin and tongue, rapid pulse, low blood pressure, and a greyish skin tone. Thirst is not always present with dehydration, so this symptom should not be used to judge whether there is dehydration or not. In order to prevent dehydration in intestinal infections, you should drink plenty of saline solutions (Regidron, Trisol, etc.) at the rate of one liter for three episodes of diarrhea or vomiting.
• Infectious-toxic shock. It develops at the very beginning of the disease against the background of high body temperature. Shock is provoked by a high concentration in the blood of toxic substances secreted by bacteria.
• Pneumonia . It is a fairly common complication of intestinal infections in children. As a rule, pneumonia develops against the background of moderate dehydration, when fluid losses are not completely replenished, but only partially.
• Acute kidney failure.

Intestinal infection in children

Children are more likely to suffer from intestinal infections than adults, because they have much more contact with peers and surrounding adults, as well as hygiene skills and an understanding of sanitary norms and rules are not sufficiently reinforced and instilled.

Intestinal infections in children generally proceed in the same way as in adults and are characterized by the same clinical manifestations. But in children, unlike adults, intestinal infections are more likely to be severe and dehydration develops faster. Therefore, when a child falls ill, it is imperative to give him to drink saline solutions to replenish fluid losses and carefully monitor his condition so as not to miss signs of dehydration, which should immediately hospitalize the baby in the hospital.

In addition, in children, intestinal infections are much more likely to be caused by viruses.

If an intestinal infection has developed in a child of the first year of life, then he should definitely be hospitalized, since critical dehydration in babies under 12 months old can occur very quickly and lead to tragic consequences, even death.

Children over one year old can be treated at home if they do not show signs of dehydration (no urine for 6 hours, dry tongue, sunken eyes, grey colour skin), and the condition remains stable and does not worsen.
Otherwise, intestinal infections in children proceed and are treated in the same way as in adults.

Intestinal infection in adults

Intestinal infections in adults are recorded quite often, especially in the hot season, when food is often stored in violation of sanitary norms and rules. In addition, in the warm season, people go to nature, out of town, where they cook on their own or buy various dishes in a cafe, and this food is often contaminated with pathogenic microbes. Swimming in open water is also responsible for the high incidence of intestinal infections during the warm season, as microbially contaminated water is often accidentally ingested.

Adults, as a rule, successfully tolerate intestinal infections and recover without any consequences. Complications of infections in adults also develop relatively rarely, in no more than 10% of cases and, as a rule, against the background of a severe course of the disease.

Intestinal infections: how they are carried, what causes them. Symptoms. How to choose products, how to cook them correctly. What water to drink so as not to get infected - video

Rotavirus intestinal infection in children and adults

general characteristics

Rotavirus infection is sometimes incorrectly referred to as "rotavirus". This infection is also known as "summer flu" or "stomach flu".

Children are most often affected by rotavirus infection, because, firstly, they are more susceptible to diseases than adults, and secondly, they do not yet have immunity to this infection. Adults are much less likely to suffer from stomach flu, since, as a rule, almost everyone has been ill with an infection in childhood, and after once suffering from an illness, immunity is formed to it, and a person very rarely becomes infected again during the rest of his life.

Symptoms

The first symptom of the disease is an increase in body temperature to 38 - 39 o C, after which, after a few hours, cramping pains in the abdomen, general weakness and loss of appetite appear. Along with pain in the abdomen appears vomiting (often multiple) and diarrhea. The chair happens up to 10 - 15 times a day, and the feces are liquid, frothy, brown-yellow in color and with a very unpleasant, pungent odor. After 1 to 2 days, the stool becomes clayey and acquires a yellowish-gray color.

In addition to diarrhea and symptoms of general intoxication (headache, weakness, temperature), rotavirus intestinal infection may present with sore throat, runny nose and conjunctivitis.

In general, rotavirus infection lasts from 3 to 8 days, after which recovery occurs.

Treatment

During the entire period of the disease, contact with others should be avoided, since a person is a source of infection. The main means of treating stomach flu in children and adults is fasting and drinking plenty of saline solutions. As for nutrition, you should eat as little as possible, giving preference to bagels, bread crumbs, etc. During the entire period of the disease with rotavirus intestinal infection It is strictly forbidden to eat the following products:
Enterol

E. coli - diseases, transmission routes, symptoms of intestinal infections and diseases of the genitourinary tract (in a woman, in a man, in a child), methods of treatment. Detection of the bacterium in a urine sample and in a vaginal swab

Intestinal infection - diagnosis and treatment tactics for a child and an adult, depending on the symptoms and test results

An intestinal infection is a dangerous disease that affects every person sooner or later. The presented ailment includes a large number of pathological processes that adversely affect the gastrointestinal tract. An ailment often occurs due to the presence of viruses, toxins and bacteria in the body. Symptoms of the disease vary greatly depending on the degree of its severity.

What contributes to the onset of the disease?

If the body is affected by viruses and bacteria, then this is fraught with the formation of diseases such as:

• escherichiosis;
• klebsiellosis;
• dysentery;
• salmonellosis;
• diarrhea;
• staphylococcal infection.

All presented pathological processes cause intestinal infections. In addition, the development of this disease is affected by non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, the use of dirty fruits and vegetables, the replenishment of the body with water, which contains harmful microorganisms. They move from the esophagus through the stomach and into the intestines.

How does the disease manifest itself in adults?

There are cases when an intestinal infection in adults does not make itself felt for a certain time, so the patient is not even aware of this insidious disease. The most common symptoms of an intestinal infection include the following:

Intestinal infections in children occur for the same reason as in adults (damage by pathogens). They cause damage mainly to the digestive tract and are accompanied by a toxic reaction of the body.

Intestinal infection in children, like all other diseases of an infectious nature, occurs suddenly. Even in the first stages of the disease, children are visited by weakness, poor appetite, headache, fever. At first glance, all the signs presented point to ARI. But after some time, the child develops nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain of a cramping nature, diarrhea, chills.

Acute intestinal infection

Acute intestinal infections are a type of infectious acute pathologies that occur as a result of the influence of various pathogens. An acute intestinal infection manifests itself with fever and contributes to the development of further dehydration. Especially severe acute infection occurs in children and people of retirement age. The incubation period of pathology lasts from 5 hours to two days.

Very often, salmonellosis begins acutely after a short feeling of discomfort in the abdomen. During this period, the patient notes the following symptoms of an acute intestinal infection:

• weakness;
• feeling of nausea;
• vomit;
• fever (38-39 C);
• acute intestinal infections are accompanied by painful sensations in the abdomen, which are diffuse;
• diarrhea characterized by profuse, watery, greenish stools.

In case of detection of the presented symptoms of an acute intestinal infection in a patient, it is necessary to immediately hospitalize him. Very often this form of intestinal infection is diagnosed in infants. Therefore, if you find green diarrhea in a baby, a rise in temperature, then you need to immediately show it to a specialist.

Intestinal flu (rotavirus infection)

Intestinal infections of this form occur due to the presence of rotaviruses in the body. The process of irritation occurs through food, water and hands. Rotavirus infection begins to form after the bacteria have invaded the cells of the mucous membrane of the small intestine. As a result, its motor activity increases, which contributes to the feeling of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The disease begins to manifest itself even before the viruses multiply in the required quantity to cause intestinal irritation. This is the incubation period, its duration is about 5 days.

Effective Therapy

Treatment of intestinal infection should involve an integrated approach. In addition to stopping harmful microbes, the patient needs to neutralize toxins and restore water balance.

Symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea introduce harmful substances from the body, so there is no need to restrain yourself. On the contrary, during this period it is even called. Treatment of an intestinal infection cannot do without bowel lavage. This procedure is performed with an enema. It is also necessary to treat the disease with the help of sorbents that neutralize the negative effects of toxins. The most effective are:

• Smecta;
• Polyphepan;
• Attapulgite.

During the period of intestinal infection, fasting is useful for patients. The reason is that food can cause the development of bacteria. Useful rice and oatmeal without added salt. They have a calming effect on the intestines.

It is indicated to treat intestinal infections with a solution of rehydron or behydron. These funds during the period of illness help to restore electrolyte balance. They are taken in a couple of sips every 10 minutes. The patient during the period of intestinal infection needs to consume more fluids. The best option would be dried fruit compote and various herbal teas.

As for antibiotics for intestinal infections, it is not recommended to use them immediately after the onset of the first symptoms. They have a negative impact on the intestinal microflora and the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment of an intestinal infection with antibiotics can only be prescribed by the attending physician. It is allowed to treat the disease with such modern drugs as Linex and Lactobacterin.

It is also not recommended to treat an intestinal infection on your own during a period when the patient has severe and debilitating vomiting, as a result of which he cannot drink, a high temperature, and there are blood impurities in the feces.

Therapy of the disease in children

If an intestinal infection in a child is accompanied by severe diarrhea and vomiting, then it is necessary to take immediate measures and treat the ailment that has arisen. The most common mistake parents make when treating an intestinal infection is to stop unwanted symptoms of the disease. In the first hours, this is not recommended, since vomiting and diarrhea are a protective reaction of the body, as a result of which the body tries to eliminate toxins on its own.

If these manifestations are stopped during the treatment of intestinal infections in children, this will lead to even greater intoxication. In addition, if the parents know exactly what their baby ate and the rise in temperature, abdominal pain is caused by this, then for the effective treatment of an intestinal infection, vomiting or defecation should be provoked.

With such events, it is very important to constantly replenish the loss of fluid and mineral salts. Therefore, during the treatment of intestinal infections in children, parents should ensure that he takes plenty of fluids. To do this, you need to give him special solutions, powders that are sold in a pharmacy. It is forbidden to give the child juices and dairy products.

Nutrition

If the disease is mild, then for the treatment of intestinal infection, the diet involves only a decrease in the amount of food. If the disease is in a moderate form, then the food is reduced by 30-50%, and the number of meals should be 5-8 times a day.

Diet for intestinal infection in children under 4 months of age should exclude the use of fermented milk mixtures. In the acute form of the disease, the treatment of intestinal infection with the help of a diet in infants involves the use of mixtures enriched with protective factors: bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, dietary supplements.

During the treatment of an intestinal infection with a diet, adults are prohibited from consuming the following foods:

• whole milk;
• black bread;
• yogurts;
• fermented baked milk;
• cream;
• beets;
• legumes;
• citrus;
• meat and fish broths.

If the development of an intestinal infection in a young child is accompanied by a protein deficiency, then it is corrected from the 3rd day of the disease with mixtures that contain this element. When the exocrine secretory function of the pancreas is impaired and malabsorption syndrome is developed, therapeutic mixtures are an effective treatment for intestinal infection in young patients.

Prevention measures

Prevention of intestinal infections is a measure by which it is possible to protect your body from this disease. To do this, follow these simple rules:

• wash hands before eating;
• do not eat sweets with cream during hot weather;
• store meat and fish in the refrigerator;
• wash fruits, berries and vegetables thoroughly;
• consume only fresh meat and milk;
• drink boiled or mineral water.

Intestinal infection is a pathological process that can affect not only adults, but also children. You can eliminate this ailment if you strictly adhere to the treatment regimen drawn up by the doctor.

1 - Instructions for the medical use of the drug Macmirror ®