Rotoviral intestinal infection in children: treatment and symptoms of the disease

Kids younger preschool age at allTimes were at risk for many diseases. A weak body and excessively active behavior make them vulnerable to various viral diseases. And one of them is a rotavirus intestinal infection in children, the treatment of which is aimed more at eliminating symptoms and consequences than at combating the pathogen.

So what is rotavirus infection?

The culprit of the disease is a virusbelonging to the family of Reoviridae, a genus of Rotavirus, which entered the human body with food, water or contact-household method. Of the 9 types of rotaviruses, divided by antigenic properties, 6 are pathogenic for humans, the other three affect only animals. The incubation period of the disease is 2-3 days, but in a child it can last for no more than 12 hours. Actively multiplying and accumulating in the epithelium of the oral cavity, the virus “descends” into the small intestine and destroys its mature cells. The consequence of this effect is a violation of the ability of the digestive system to absorb nutrients and carbohydrates, which are then unsplit in the large intestine, causing an increase in osmotic pressure. That is why roto-intestinal infection in children involves treatment aimed at preventing the patient from dehydrating.

Risk groups for rotavirus infection

Thanks to its stability in the environment,Anyone can “catch” rotavirus, regardless of age or gender. However, in an adult with a stable immune system, the disease can occur with mild symptoms, characteristic stomach upset or even without them. Also, according to the statistics of pediatricians, rotovirus intestinal infection in infants is very rare, since during the first 12 months of life, the immunity received from the mother acts. The main risk group is the age category of preschoolers and children of primary school age.

Symptoms of the disease

Its second name is "intestinal flu"Rotavirus infection was obtained because in most cases the first symptoms of the disease are inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and an increase in the temperature of the baby’s body. Incorrectly diagnosing the disease and not knowing that the rotavirus intestinal infection is manifested in children, they start the treatment of their mummies, as in the case of a common acute respiratory disease. A couple of hours after the first symptoms appear, the child begins repeated repeated vomiting and diarrhea. The kid, actively losing fluid, becomes sluggish and drowsy. This painful condition may also be accompanied by a frequent dry cough, which provokes additional bouts of vomiting.

How to treat intestinal flu

This disease is diagnosed in inpatientconditions where, in principle, doctors recommend it to be treated. As a rule, in a medical facility, a child is prescribed antibiotic therapy (which, in principle, is not necessary, since rotavirus is not sensitive to it) in combination with drugs to restore the body's water balance. Most often in hospitals give third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics, which have good bactericidal action. For example, the drug "Ceftriaxone" or its more expensive counterparts, such as the drug "Loraxon" and others, are used. For the treatment of diarrhea and the prevention of the accession of a secondary infection, the medicine Nifurokzacid is used. If a child with a rotavirus has repeated and abundant vomiting, the baby will be given an injection of the “Zerukal” drug, which can be repeated in a couple of hours. Depending on the weight of the patient, the attending physician will prescribe the dosage and the medication Smekta or Enterol, which will help to cope with diarrhea. Since the first minutes of treatment, we should not forget that the child loses a lot of fluid, so its amount should be systematically updated. To do this, the drug "Regidron" or electrolyte solutions, alkaline bottled water. They can be alternated, giving the child every 10-15 minutes to drink in small doses.

But even after being completely destroyedRotavirus intestinal infection in children, treatment aimed at restoring the intestinal flora, should continue. To do this, young patients are prescribed medications based on probiotic microorganisms that will help the intestines regain their basic functions.

Can rotavirus be treated at home?

The decision on home treatment of rotavirus shouldtaken by parents with a doctor. Everything will depend on the condition of the child. In addition, the sick patient's household should have information on what symptoms the rotovirus intestinal infection gives, treatment of its manifestations as it should be carried out in order to properly care for their crumbs. Taking responsibility for the life and health of a child infected with rotavirus, parents, in addition to drug treatment, will need to make every effort to restore the patient's water balance. To do this, the baby will need to drink fractional fluid every 10-15 minutes, even during day and night sleep. Otherwise, hospitalization cannot be avoided, since, in the absence of frequent drinking, intoxication of the child’s body will lead to the most negative consequences.