In most cases, intestinal damage various types bacteria and viruses that cause various infectious diseases occur through dirty hands. Therefore, representatives of medicine call intestinal infection “the disease of dirty hands.” A set of diseases caused by various types of bacteria have a common name - intestinal infections.
Due to the increased temperature of the environment, microbes that cause disease quickly multiply on hands, in water and food. Penetrating into the intestines, microorganisms affect both individual parts and the entire intestine. Summer heat is the most suitable time for the reproduction and extreme development of these pathogens.
Finding themselves in favorable conditions for development, pathogens of intestinal diseases secrete poison - enterotoxin, which disrupts the vital functions of the entire gastrointestinal tract, causing intoxication of the entire body.
Basic kinds intestinal infections:
- cholera;
- dysentery;
- salmonellosis;
- food poisoning;
- botulism;
- typhoid fever.
Symptoms of infection
IN initial stage the disease manifests itself as symptoms of a common acute respiratory infection. The sick person feels weak and lethargic, appetite decreases and nausea occurs, headaches with mild dizziness appear.From the moment a pathogen enters the human body until the first signs of the disease appear, varying amounts of time pass: from several hours to two days.
Medical science identifies 2 types of a set of symptoms that characterize the development of intestinal infection:
1. Infectious-toxic.
As a rule, an increase in temperature to extremely high levels (above 38.9 ° C) is the first sign of the introduction of microbial or food toxins into the human body. An increase in temperature is accompanied by signs of poisoning: dizziness accompanied by general weakness, slight nausea, and sometimes vomiting.
In some diseases (cholera), food poisoning (staphylococcus), an increase in temperature is not observed.
Such characteristic signs are the precursors of the second type of syndrome – intestinal.
2. Intestinal symptoms.
Disorder of the entire digestive tract after infection with pathogenic microorganisms has characteristic signs:
During the period of exacerbation of the disease, it is strongly recommended to completely eliminate the consumption of milk and dairy products, onions, garlic, alcohol and carbonated drinks. Refrain completely from eating fatty, fried, smoked meats, pasta, all types of canned food, spices and hot seasonings.
Food should be boiled or steamed, consumed as puree or pureed. During this period it is recommended to use:
- light broths (veal, turkey, chicken);
- liquid porridges cooked in water (semolina, rice, buckwheat, oatmeal);
- soup without frying and spicy seasonings;
- lean meat, steamed or boiled, chopped in a blender;
- steamed low-fat fish (pike perch, perch);
- white of 1 egg, cooked as a steam omelet;
- berry jelly, applesauce baked apple without peel, non-sour fruit drinks;
- boiled vegetables only in pureed form;
- tea: black, green, herbal, diluted juices of non-acidic berries;
- white bread crackers;
- biscuits.
Pharmacological therapy. At the beginning of this century, medical scientists revised the principle of pharmacological treatment of intestinal infections, which resulted in a significant reduction in the use of antibiotics. Science has proven that human body itself can destroy pathogenic microorganisms. The human immune system independently produces the required amount of antibodies that have a detrimental effect on microorganisms that have entered the intestines.
This is why medications are not used to treat intestinal infections. It is necessary to strictly adhere to the measures described above to maintain the water-salt balance of the body and strictly follow the diet.
But in medical practice, cases have been established in which hospitalization of the patient and the use of intensive pharmacological therapy in a hospital setting are simply necessary:
- children under 1 year of age, adults over 65 years of age;
- presence of blood in feces;
- vomiting increases after diarrhea stops with a sharp increase in temperature and abdominal pain;
- due to constant vomiting, it is impossible to drink water-salt solutions;
- severe weakening of the body against the background of constantly arising thirst.
In all other cases, treatment on an outpatient basis is possible.
To preserve the natural intestinal microflora, the use of prebiotics and sorbents is not necessary. It is not recommended to take painkillers that relieve painful spasms. Taking painkillers and drugs dulls the attention of the patient, making it more difficult to determine the moment of development of a complication, which leads to irreversible consequences.
Sorbents and prebiotics do not harm the body, but medical science has not proven their high effectiveness. It is recommended to take them at your own request.
TO sorbents relate:
- "Enterosgel". Promotes the removal of toxins, bacteria, pathogens. Reduces painful spasms. Pharmacological form – paste.
- Activated carbon. Overactive use during a disorder contributes to the formation of constipation and a decrease in the rate of removal of toxins from the body.
- "Polysorb". Does not irritate the gastric mucosa, binds toxic substances released by certain types of bacteria. Used to reduce intoxication of the body during intestinal infections.
- "Smecta". Reduces pain in the stomach. Forms a film in the intestines and stomach.
- "Linex"
- "Bifikol"
- "Lactobacterin"
- "Normoflorin-D"
- "Lactobacterin"
At the discretion of the treating doctor, medications may be prescribed to prevent infections, maintain the functioning of the digestive tract and reduce body temperature:
- enzymes (“Mezim”, “Creon”, “Pancreatin”, “Micrazim”);
- intestinal antiseptics (“Furazolidone”, “Intetrix”, “Intestopan”, “Enterofuril”);
- antipyretic based on Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Nimesulide;
- analgesic-based painkillers or “No-shpu”.
- blood in feces;
- severe form of cholera;
- long-term diarrhea caused by the bacteria giardiasis entering the intestines.
Apply in medicinal purposes Pharmacological medications for intestinal infections without consulting a doctor are strictly prohibited.
What should not be done during treatment?
Not all treatments for intestinal infections and medications have a positive effect. Some useful tips during treatment:- Uncontrolled use of various solutions with potassium permanganate and baking soda aggravates the situation with the progression of the disease.
- It is strictly not recommended to use the medications Motilium and Imodium to stop diarrhea and vomiting in the initial stages of the disease. When they are used, toxic substances accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, slowing down recovery.
- Pharmacological drugs such as "Almagel" are not used to treat intestinal infections; the effectiveness of their use is 0.
- Excessive consumption of sorbents impedes the body’s natural function of independently removing toxic substances.
- Medicines containing enzymes do not allow specialists to make an accurate diagnosis.
- You should not do an enema with warm and hot water on your own.
- There is no need to apply heat of any kind to the abdominal area. Heat promotes the inflammatory process.
When a viral infection of the body occurs, the most common are rotavirus, noravirus, and enterovirus, which differ only in the type of infecting virus.
A bacterial intestinal infection is caused by bacteria entering the gastrointestinal tract. Typical infectious diseases: cholera, salmonellosis, paratyphoid, typhoid, dysentery, escherichiosis.
home characteristic This type of disease is inflammation of one of the intestinal sections caused by bacteria or viruses. Each of them affects their “own” department.
The incubation period of such a disease ranges from several hours to several days (the period of “search” by the pathogen for “its” part of the digestive system).
Typically, such damage to the body occurs through the entry of a microorganism through a person’s mouth with a food product.
The symptoms of the disease are not much different from any intestinal infection: deterioration of health, the appearance of diarrhea and vomiting against the background of fever and nausea, pain and accumulation of gas in the abdomen.
There is no fundamental difference between the treatment and that described above.
When the first symptoms of the disease appear, it is better to consult a doctor without taking independent treatment steps.
In folk medicine there are many different recipes use of herbs to treat any disease. Intestinal infections are no exception.1. Restoration of water-salt balance:
In 1,000 g of purified (possibly pre-boiled) water, dissolve 80 g of refined sugar, 10 g of table salt, 5 g baking soda, 200 g of freshly prepared orange juice. Use without restrictions per day.
2. Decoctions:
- Pour 50 g of finely chopped stems and flowers of St. John's wort into 500 g of “steep” boiling water. Leave the resulting mixture for 30 minutes. in a water bath. Filter through 4 layers of gauze, squeeze. Reduce the resulting decoction to the original amount by adding boiled water. Let cool. Consume within 20 minutes. 150 g before meals. Use the decoction a day.
- Boil 25 g of crushed dry roots of blue cyanosis for 30 minutes. over low heat in 250 g of water. Cool. Strain through a tea strainer. Take 1 tablespoon of the decoction after meals at least 4 times a day.
- 50 g of dry marsh cudweed plant are boiled for 2 hours over low heat in 250 g of water. Take the resulting decoction half a glass before meals at least 4 times a day.
- Pour 45 g of oak bark into 1,000 g of “steep” boiling water and boil for 15 minutes. over low heat. Let cool and strain. Take 150 g of the resulting decoction at least 6 times a day.
- 40 g of dry blackberry leaves are poured with “steep” boiling water in a thermos for 30 minutes. Take 100 g 4 times a day.
- 40 g of dried tansy flowers are infused in a thermos with 1 liter of “steep” boiling water for at least 6 hours. Take the infusion 3 times a day before meals, 150 g.
- Leave 50 g of blueberry fruits, crushed burnet and knotweed roots for 60 minutes. in 1 liter of “steep” boiling water, carefully wrapping the container with a warm blanket. The resulting infusion is drunk in equal proportions throughout the day.
Intestinal infection in children
Frail children's immunity, weak bactericidal ability of the child's saliva and gastric juice, and failure to comply with the rules of personal hygiene by young children are the root causes of childhood morbidity with intestinal infection. As in adults, the causative agents of the disease in children can be bacteria and viruses.The presented video shows preventive measures for children getting an intestinal infection, as well as the first signs that oblige parents to show the child to a doctor, and methods of treatment.
Diagnostics
A high-quality diagnosis allows you to accurately identify the causative agent of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment. That's why it's so important to pass.Types of diagnostics:
- Bacteriological culture– laboratory research involving inoculation of selected samples of biomaterial of a sick child on nutrient media, keeping them at a certain temperature conditions for the purpose of identifying pathogenic microorganisms. At the same time, the sensitivity of the identified microorganisms to bacteriophages and antibacterial drugs is being studied.
- Antibody test– the general level of condition is determined immune system child, deviations from the norm are detected.
- Linked immunosorbent assay– carrying out special biochemical reactions in laboratory conditions to determine the presence or absence of antibodies, establishing their numerical order.
- Laboratory scatological examination baby’s stool – determines the state of the gastrointestinal tract by digestion of food, the efficiency of absorption of nutrients.
Features of treatment of intestinal infection in children
Characteristic signs and symptoms, ways of intestinal infection entering a child’s body are not much different from adults.Heat. In case of an intestinal infection, it is simply necessary for the child to lower the elevated temperature to normal. High temperature causes the body to lose a large amount of fluid, dehydration occurs, and the influence of toxins progresses.
Dehydration of the child's body. Keeping your child drinking plenty of fluids reduces the risk of dehydration. At first, the children's immune system does not have enough antibodies that suppress pathogenic microbes and viruses. Constantly replenishing physiological water losses is the main task of parents. For these purposes, the same pharmacological preparations are used as for adults.
You can prepare this solution yourself at home. Add to 1 liter of water:
- 15 g kitchen salt;
- 10 g baking soda;
- 50 g refined sugar.
Sorbents against intestinal infections. Pharmacological drugs that absorb poisons produced by microorganisms and toxins inside the digestive system make sense to use when treating a child. They must be used strictly in accordance with the instructions included with the drug.
Use allows you to protect the child’s body from poisoning and reduce dehydration.
Antibiotics. Not a single health care institution recommends independently, on the initiative of parents, without a qualified examination and examination by a specialist, making a decision on whether a child should use antibiotics to cure an intestinal infection. The child must be shown to a doctor, and only a specialist prescribes such treatment.
Pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky tells more about what an intestinal infection is and how a parent can help if his child develops such an infection:
The slightest suspicion that a child has an intestinal infection is a reason to consult a doctor.
Acute intestinal infection in children
Acute viral infections often appear early childhood. Only infants suffer from a severe form.Increased body temperature (up to 38-39°C), general malaise of the child, decreased motor activity, apathy towards the environment, the appearance of vomiting symptoms (6–9 times a day) are the first signs of rotavirus infection. Loose stools appear soon yellow color with a sour odor, accompanied by painful sensations in the intestines. No exception is inflammation of the respiratory tract.
It is more difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish from other diseases due to the similarity of symptoms.
Along with the signs of rotavirus infection, a sick child experiences convulsions, fever, pain in the heart, inflammatory process upper respiratory tract, increased heart rate. This type of infection often causes complications on the central nervous system and contributes to the occurrence of heart disease. Therefore, it is better not to avoid it in due time.
A runny nose, conjunctivitis, lack of appetite and frequent loose stools are the main signs of an enterovirus infection in a child.
Damage to a baby’s body from a bacterial infection is in many ways similar to a viral one. Vomiting with a bacterial infection, unlike a viral one, does not always occur. Feces vary in color (green); in advanced forms, inclusions of blood and mucus are observed.
The first suspicion of an acute intestinal infection is a reason to invite a pediatrician to your home, who will prescribe treatment or refer you to the inpatient department of a medical institution.
Parents can independently, without waiting for the doctor to come, replenish the body’s water-salt balance by increasing fluid intake.
The diet does not differ from the diet of an adult with such a disease. Special nutrition and plenty of water intake are the key to successful treatment.
Medicinal pharmacological drugs, especially antibiotics, should be used to treat a child only as prescribed by a doctor, and do not exercise independence.
Prevention measures
Prevention is easier than cure - a rule known to everyone. By constantly observing simple sanitary rules, without violating the norms of nutrition and food consumption, it becomes possible to avoid contracting an intestinal infection:- learn to wash your hands before eating and after toilet procedures;
- drinking unboiled water from unfamiliar sources is strictly prohibited;
- thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables intended for consumption in running water;
- consume meat and fish only after sufficient (until fully cooked) heat treatment;
Acute intestinal infections (OKI) represent a pressing problem in pediatrics due to the wide prevalence and diversity of pathogen types, as well as the role they play in the formation of gastrointestinal tract pathology in children.
The group of intestinal infections among the younger generation is quite numerous. It includes: dysentery, salmonellosis, coli infection and gastroenteritis of a bacterial and viral nature.
Sources of intestinal infections
Sources of intestinal infections are patients, as well as bacteria carriers who, while remaining healthy, can be carriers of microbes that are dangerous to other people. Most bacteria carriers had previously recovered from this infection, but upon recovery, microbes remained in their bodies. They are dangerous to others because they are difficult to identify and treat. That is why these people remain hidden sources of infection for others.
Children play a big role in the spread of ACI, since they often suffer from erased forms, they may still lack hygiene skills, as a result of which they easily become infected environment. Newborn babies often become infected from their mothers.
In case of salmonellosis, the source of infection can be not only humans, but also animals (livestock, cats, mice). Birds, especially waterfowl, serve as a powerful reservoir of infection. Salmonella is found not only in their organs, like in animals, but also in eggs (on the shell, in the contents of the egg), carriage is long-lasting.
Sources of foodborne toxic infections
Sources of food toxic infections (in particular, staphylococcal etiology) can be people suffering from pustular skin infections, sore throats, etc., women in labor with diseases of the genital tract can infect the child during childbirth, mothers with nipple damage - during feeding, as well as patients with mastitis animals - cows, goats, etc.
All intestinal infections have a fecal-oral transmission mechanism: pathogens are excreted from the body in feces (may also be in vomit) and enter the body through the mouth. These infections are called “disease of dirty hands”: patients or carriers with their hands transfer the infection to surrounding objects (linen, dishes, toys, etc.), from where it is carried into the mouth directly or through writing with their hands.
Main routes of infection
The main routes of infection are food, water and household contact. Food contamination Possible in all acute intestinal infections, it is often associated with contaminated dairy products, confectionery products, meat products, eggs, vegetables and fruits.
Water flashes associated with infection drinking water, water supply sources.
Contact and household path carried out through unwashed hands and infected household items.
Children are very susceptible to intestinal infections. It increases with a decrease in reactivity, with various diseases, rickets, nutritional disorders, early artificial feeding, hypovitaminosis, etc.
The incidence is directly related to social factors: poor sanitary conditions of housing, childcare facilities, overcrowding, poor sanitary standards, and deficiencies in medical care contribute to the spread of intestinal infections.
OCI can occur throughout the year. Summer-autumn seasonality is typical for dysentery and salmonellosis. During this period, the reactivity of children changes, the bactericidal effect of gastric juice decreases, consumption of large quantities of berries, fruits and vegetables is noted, which in turn creates greater opportunities for infection.
Prevention of intestinal infections
However, it should be emphasized that contracting intestinal infections is not inevitable, they need and can be prevented! You just need to know and strictly follow the generally simple but very effective rules for their prevention, and instill these rules in your family members, especially children. Personal example is indispensable here.
In our country, the prevention of intestinal infections is carried out on a national scale: cleaning, disinfection and control of the quality of water used for household and drinking purposes are carried out, water sources and reservoirs are protected from pollution. Special sanitary control is carried out over compliance with the rules of collection, storage, processing, preparation, transportation and sale of food products.
Compliance with personal hygiene rules plays an important role in the prevention of acute intestinal infections. One of them: after returning home (from work, walking), before preparing food and before eating, before you start playing and caring for children - wash your hands with soap! This way you will protect yourself and others from infection. Don’t do it yourself and wean your children off bad habits biting your nails, sucking your fingers, moistening them with saliva, turning over the pages of a book, because in this case you can introduce the causative agent of one or another intestinal infection into your mouth.
It is more difficult to protect against infection through food, but even here it is important to follow certain rules. To protect yourself and your family from food poisoning, you need to eat only good quality foods.
Shelf life of products
Perishable foods must be stored in the refrigerator (at a temperature of + 2 to + 4 degrees C) only for a certain period of time:
- minced meat - no more than 18 hours,
- boiled meat - 24 hours,
- boiled sausages - 24 hours,
- boiled fish - 24 hours,
- vegetable salads and vinaigrette - 6 hours,
- dairy products (pasteurized milk, cream, cottage cheese) - 36 hours,
- sour cream - 72 hours.
Before use by a child fresh vegetables and fruits, they must be thoroughly washed with running water and doused with boiling water. The same applies to baby food products packaged in plastic bags (baby milk, acidolact, bifidoc, etc.) and jars - it’s easy to understand how many hands they have gone through before you open them for your child.
Prevention of salmonellosis
Particular attention must be paid to the prevention of salmonellosis. The resistance of the causative agent of this severe infection to physical and chemical factors quite high. When cooking a small piece of meat, it takes at least 1 hour to kill the salmonella. Eggs must be boiled for at least 15 minutes. Bottled milk, even pasteurized, must be boiled before a child consumes it.
Staphylococci multiply especially well in creams used in the manufacture of pastries and cakes. Food contamination in infants can occur through mother's milk.
It is important for all family members to drink only boiled water! It is easy to become infected with ACI by drinking water from open reservoirs, wells; spring water is also not safe, where pathogens of intestinal infections can enter from groundwater, with the contents of improperly installed toilets, as well as during rains and melting snow. And intestinal bacteria remain viable in water for up to 27 - 35 days!
Conclusion: When caring for a child, sanitation and hygiene requirements must be observed especially strictly. Before each feeding and changing of the baby, you should wash your hands clean. Give children only boiled water and milk; prepare juices from thoroughly washed vegetables and fruits. As soon as the child began to move independently - crawled and then walked, it is recommended to do wet cleaning more often using disinfectant solutions.
If it was not possible to prevent the development of an intestinal infection, then it is necessary to remember that some time always passes from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first signs of the disease - the incubation period, which is different for different acute infections and lasts from several hours to 7 days. Towards the end of this period, the patient begins to secrete infectious agents and becomes infectious. Therefore, the main preventive measure to disinfect the source of infection is early identification and isolation of the patient from others.
The first signs of intestinal infections
The first signs of any intestinal infection are: an increase in body temperature to 38 - 39 degrees. C, general weakness, vomiting, cramping abdominal pain, frequent loose stools, sometimes mixed with mucus and blood. If such symptoms appear, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor or take the patient to an infectious diseases hospital to provide qualified assistance.
In no case should you resort to self-medication; this can cause irreparable harm to the patient and the people around him.
Children can and should grow up healthy. It is in our power to create the necessary conditions for this!
Elena Viktorovna ZHARIKOVA,
Infectious disease doctor, State Healthcare Institution "POTSSVMP"
Young children are more often susceptible to gastrointestinal diseases, the most common of which is intestinal infection. The focus of this pathology is localized in the gastrointestinal tract, the causative agents are pathogenic viruses and microorganisms of various etiologies (rotaviruses, salmonella, klebsiella, Escherichia, campylobacter, etc.).
The disease develops rapidly and has a severe course. Children under one year of age tolerate it especially poorly. It is important to begin treatment immediately to prevent dehydration and other serious complications.
Acute intestinal infections occupy a leading place among infectious diseases, second only to ARVI in the number of developmentsTypes 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 OCI in children is further divided into subtypes, the characteristics of which are presented in the tables below.
Bacterial form of OCI
| Types of bacterial infection | Characteristic symptoms | Peculiarities |
| Salmonella |
| The infection enters through milk, eggs, butter and meat. You can get infected not only from people, but also from pets. It's especially hard this form Pathologies are suffered by children aged 2-3 years. Sometimes toxic shock additionally develops (cerebral edema, renal and heart failure are formed). |
| Staphylococcal |
| Staphylococci live in the body of every person, but weakened immunity and other factors (for example, consumption of stale food) lead to their active reproduction. The disease is difficult to treat because pathogenic bacteria quickly adapt to the effects of antimicrobial agents. |
| Typhoid |
| Infection occurs from a sick person or a bacteria carrier. Pathogenic microorganisms are excreted in feces and urine, after which they spread into the environment. Severe disease can lead to coma. |
| Escherichiosis |
| Most often, this bacterial infection appears in newborns with underweight, as well as under the age of 5 years. Pathogenic bacilli live in the household for several months, so the risk of infection is very high. |
Viral form of ACI
| Types of viral infection | Characteristic symptoms | Peculiarities |
| Rotovirus (we recommend reading:) |
| It is the most common pathology, which is why many call it intestinal flu. Infection is possible at any period (including incubation) until the patient fully recovers. |
| Enteroviral (more details in the article:) |
| Occurs due to non-compliance with personal hygiene rules. This form of pathology affects young children and adolescents. |
| Adenoviral |
| A rare viral disease that occurs in children under three years of age. Transmitted through water (for example, in a swimming pool) and by airborne droplets. |
Causes of intestinal infection and routes of infection
Infection occurs through airborne droplets and household routes. Pathogenic viruses and bacteria are released into the environment along with the patient’s saliva, feces and vomit. At the same time, when they get on household items and food, they remain in an active state for up to five days.
The infection enters the human body mainly through dirt. The following causes of OCI are identified:
- neglect of personal hygiene rules (dirty hands, fruits, vegetables, dishes);
- insufficient heat treatment of food;
- improper storage of products;
- drinking poor quality water (poor filtration and purification);
- swimming in polluted waters and public pools;
- unsanitary living conditions;
- unbalanced diet, leading to decreased immunity.
Once in the oral cavity, pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the gastrointestinal tract. After this, they cause inflammation of the mucous membrane of the intestines, stomach and other digestive organs.
The peak of incidence is observed among children under 5 years of age, mainly in the autumn and summer. Experts note that babies breastfeeding are infected less frequently because 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 fever, nausea, diarrhea), which pose a great danger to health.
Then the body gradually develops immunity to the pathogen, 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 experiences: 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 Characteristic symptoms of intestinal infection in children
Symptoms of intestinal infection are always expressed in 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. Characteristic symptoms of OCI:
- severe vomiting and frequent urge to her (regardless of food intake);
- loose stools;
- high body temperature;
- complete lack of appetite;
- fatigue, lethargy;
- head and muscle spasms;
- constant sleepy state;
- abdominal pain;
- throat hyperemia;
- runny nose;
- cough;
- coated tongue.
Diarrhea is one of the the most dangerous symptoms intestinal infection, which can lead to dehydration Changing the behavior of newborn babies
Symptoms of OCI in infants and older children are similar. The disease is characterized by a rapid progression, which leads to dehydration and weight loss. This situation is dangerous for the health and life of the baby, so urgent medical attention is necessary. How to recognize pathology:
- capricious state - crying for no reason, the child almost always sleeps, but is very restless - draws in his legs, screams in his sleep, etc.;
- refusal to eat and excessive vomiting after it;
- diarrhea appears, foam, remains of undigested food, mucus, blood may be present in the stool (we recommend reading:);
- frequent regurgitation;
- colic in the abdomen;
- the temperature rises (37.5–39).
Methods for diagnosing the disease
If a child exhibits signs of OCI, parents should immediately seek help from a specialist so as not to worsen the condition.
The pediatrician conducts a patient interview, visual and tactile examination. This is enough to establish a 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 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 prohibited to visit the clinic in this condition - the disease is contagious in any form.
Treatment at home includes several methods that are used comprehensively (we recommend reading:). When the first signs of an intestinal infection develop in a child, you should consult a doctor. Complex therapy should include both antibacterial agents that act on the cause of the disease, and agents to restore 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 Macmiror®. It has high activity against a large group of microorganisms that are most often the cause of illness. The low toxicity of the drug makes it accessible and convenient to use in children and adolescents. In addition to taking medications, it is recommended to adhere to special diet and be sure to monitor the child’s drinking regime.
Getting rid of intoxication
Before the doctor arrives, parents should monitor the child’s condition. It is important to prevent dehydration. Even if the baby categorically refuses to eat, he should be given as much boiled water as possible.
During the period of intestinal infection, the baby should not be forced to eat, but constantly given plenty of fluids is the main condition for a quick recovery If the body temperature rises above 38 degrees, drugs such as Paracetamol, Cefekon or Nurofen are used (dosage according to age). The patient is wiped with water with the addition of 1 tsp. vinegar and cover with a light sheet.
A child over 6 months old is allowed to be given enterosorbents (Enterosgel, Polysorb, Activated Carbon) to speed up the removal of toxins from the body. Your doctor will give further recommendations.
Taking rehydration measures
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. To prevent life-threatening complications from occurring, it is necessary to constantly replenish the volume of depleted substances.
Parents should give their child boiled water. 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, to restore the water-salt balance, medications are used - Oralit, Regidron and Glucosolan. The sale of these medications is permitted without a doctor's prescription.
Regridron Bio should be given to the baby in case of intestinal microflora disturbances, intoxication and to prevent dehydration After taking any drug of this group, the patient’s well-being becomes significantly better, signs of intoxication gradually disappear. If you cannot 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 sufficient to completely eliminate the disease. You cannot voluntarily give your child medications from 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 the list pathological conditions for which it is allowed to prescribe an antibacterial agent:
- hemocolitis (presence of blood in vomit and feces);
- severe types of cholera;
- persistent diarrhea (including with giardiasis).
Diet for OKI
During illness it is necessary to adjust daily diet baby. The food you eat should contain more vitamins, proteins and minerals.
The menu should include well-cooked, steamed, pureed and preferably salt-free dishes. Below is a list of recommended products for acute intestinal infections:
- fermented milk products;
- cottage cheese;
- lean meats;
- steamed fish;
- vegetable puree;
- It is better to replace bread with crackers;
- rice and vegetable soups;
- freshly squeezed fruit juices;
- buckwheat and rice porridge on water.
It is forbidden to give your child whole milk, sour berries, or raw vegetables. You should abstain from fruits until the main symptoms of the pathology pass. You need to take food in small doses 5-6 times a day. If vomiting persists, it is recommended to reduce the serving size by 20–25%.
In case of intestinal infection, it is necessary to observe strict diet: during an exacerbation, the baby can be given biscuits, crackers and bagels What absolutely should not be done if you suspect OCI?
First of all, you cannot install and treat your baby yourself. Acute intestinal infections can hide some surgical pathologies, but what younger age child, the more severely he suffers from the disease. The doctor prescribes therapy, taking into account the etiology and manifestation of OCI.
Analgesics and painkillers are also prohibited. Their action changes the overall clinical picture, so a specialist may make an incorrect diagnosis and, accordingly, prescribe ineffective treatment.
You should not do an enema or give your baby firming and astringent medications (for example, Loperamide and Imodium tablets). During diarrhea, most of the pathogens are released naturally. If you stop this process, the situation can only get worse.
When is hospitalization indicated?
Therapeutic actions do not always have a positive dynamics of the disease. When, in addition to the main symptoms, droplets of blood appear in the vomit or stool, the child should be hospitalized immediately.
If the child is not recovering and symptoms of dehydration occur, it is better to go to the hospital to receive qualified medical care. Inpatient treatment is also indicated if dehydration occurs. In a child aged 2–3 years, dehydration is expressed as follows:
- lack of urination for more than 4-6 hours;
- dry lips;
- the baby cries without releasing tears;
- dry oral mucosa, salivation completely disappears;
- skin looks tight;
- In infants, the eyes and fontanel become sunken.
If the patient experiences the above phenomena, parents should urgently call an ambulance. For young children, such a condition is fraught with disruption 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 - administering special intravenous solutions, and also prescribe additional medications.
It is impossible to say how long such measures will be indicated - it depends on the positive dynamics of the disease. In what cases is hospitalization also indicated:
- acute (paroxysmal) pain in the abdomen;
- diarrhea in infants;
- vomiting does not stop and the child refuses to drink water;
- urine turns brown;
- feverish condition.
Complications of acute intestinal infection
If therapy is carried out incorrectly/untimely, dehydration of the body, disruption of the normal functioning of internal organs, intestinal dysbiosis, and a decrease in the defense of the immune system may occur. Severe pathology leads to the following complications:
- neurotoxicosis – the patient experiences a disorder of consciousness, sleep disturbance, hallucinations and convulsions are possible;
- circulatory disorder - blood pressure decreases, the skin becomes pale, problems of the cardiovascular system develop;
- renal failure - scanty urine output, dull pain in the lower back;
- hypovolemic shock – develops due to dehydration, sunken eyes, weight loss.
If you neglect the treatment of an intestinal infection, it can provoke the development of serious complications. Prevention of acute intestinal infection
To prevent infection with acute respiratory infections, a child with early years cleanliness must be instilled. As a preventive measure, it is enough to follow basic rules of personal hygiene.
Intestinal infections are a group of diseases that are united by a single route of transmission of the causative agent of the disease, as well as its localization in the body - the intestines.
The causative agents of intestinal infections can remain outside the intestines for a long time. Getting out with feces, pathogenic bacteria remain in the water or soil and, under certain conditions, penetrate the body of a new “host”.
Infection usually occurs through consumption of unwashed vegetables, fruits, berries, or poor-quality food or water.
Since the main living environment of pathogenic bacteria is the intestines, the first sign of such diseases is diarrhea, and therefore, WHO classifies all infections of this type as diarrheal diseases.
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code
A00-A09 Intestinal infections
Statistics
According to the World Health Organization, intestinal infections cause the death of more than two million people worldwide every year, most of them children. Diseases of this group are widespread and in some countries, child mortality from intestinal infections accounts for up to 70% of the total mortality of children under 5 years of age.
Epidemiology
As already mentioned, intestinal infections spread from patients or carriers of dangerous bacteria to healthy people. An infected person is dangerous from the onset of the disease; as the condition improves, the infectiousness decreases, however, in some cases, a person can remain dangerous for a long time.
Studies have proven that the release of pathogenic bacteria can remain even after recovery, which occurs due to pathological processes in the intestines. When a person stops spreading the infection can only be determined after a bacteriological examination.
In the spread of infection great importance patients with erased forms have, since a diagnosis is not established for such people and they continue to be in a group, spreading dangerous bacteria.
Also, young children who do not yet have basic hygiene skills and suffer from advanced forms of intestinal infections can easily infect the external environment and objects.
To newborn children, the disease is often transmitted from the mother.
Carriers of pathogenic bacteria are quite rare, however, such people also contribute to the spread of infection.
Of all types of intestinal infections, salmonellosis can be distinguished, since animals are also involved in its spread. Most often, the disease is transmitted from domestic animals (cows, dogs, cats, horses, etc.), as well as from rodents.
Birds, especially waterfowl, are considered the main source of infection. Salmonella bacteria are present not only in the organs, as in most animals, but also in the shell and contents of eggs. At the same time, birds remain carriers of dangerous bacteria longer, unlike animals.
Intestinal infection can occur either individually or in the form of epidemic outbreaks, and the disease can reach large-scale proportions, for example, as is the case with cholera. In the summer-autumn period there is high level most intestinal infections, the level of viral diarrhea increases in winter.
Causes of intestinal infection
Intestinal infections begin to develop when a pathogen enters the body (intestines). As already mentioned, the infectious agent can enter the body by drinking contaminated water (from the tap, spring water, etc.), as well as with unwashed vegetables, fruits, etc.
Pathogenic microorganisms actively multiply outside the body, especially in warm and humid conditions. A great danger in this regard are products that are stored outside the refrigerator, especially meat and dairy products.
In the summer, intestinal diseases pose a great danger, since in the heat food spoils faster, especially meat and fish, and various insects can carry the infection from contaminated feces. Incubation period of intestinal infection
The incubation period is the period from the moment pathogenic microorganisms enter the intestines until the first symptoms of the disease appear. In other words, this is a latent period of the disease, when infection has already occurred, but there are no signs of illness.
Gastrointestinal infections most often appear 12 to 36 hours after infection; in some cases, the latent period can last up to 12 days.
There are three main transmission routes for intestinal infections: through food, water and household contact.
Most often, intestinal infection is transmitted through food contaminated with microorganisms or that has undergone insufficient thermal and hygienic treatment. The source of the disease can be both people and animals (large and small livestock, poultry, rodents, etc.). From the carrier, the infection can get into milk (dairy products), eggs, fruits, and vegetables.
Waterborne disease transmission is slightly less common. Infection mainly occurs when drinking low-quality water. This usually happens as a result of ruptured water or sewer pipes.
Through household contact, the infection can spread from the carrier through dirty hands or various objects (towels, toys).
Causative agents of intestinal infections are pathogenic bacteria that enter the environment with feces and contaminate food or water. There are also bacteria that are excreted in urine or vomit, such as foodborne illness bacteria or cholera.
The main source of spread of infection is the infected person or the carrier of the pathogenic infection. A bacteria carrier is an almost healthy person whose body contains pathogenic microorganisms that are released into the external environment.
Typically, carriers of the infection are people with weakened immune systems, who have had an intestinal infection, as well as chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or gall bladder.
Healthy people can also spread infections when pathogenic microbes have entered their body, but have taken root in it and do not harm their “host”.
Feces containing pathogens can become a source of infection. Quite often, the disease spreads through dirty hands and objects - if the hands of a patient or a carrier of infection are contaminated with feces, then everything he touches becomes a source of infection. If a healthy person touches contaminated objects, he can transfer pathogenic bacteria to food and become infected. Therefore, experts urge washing your hands as often as possible, especially after visiting the toilet.
Intestinal infections can spread through toys, handrails on public transport, basket handles in the supermarket, etc.
Symptoms of intestinal infection
The symptoms of intestinal infections depend on the type of pathogen, but there are general signs that can help you understand the cause of poor health: weakness, poor appetite, abdominal pain.
The effect of pathogenic microorganisms in the intestines does not appear immediately; when bacteria or viruses enter the gastrointestinal tract, they undergo an “incubation period”, which can last from 10 to 50 hours.
The appearance of the first signs of the disease depends on the activity of the pathogenic microflora in the body; on average, the first symptoms appear 12 hours after infection.
A slight malaise at the beginning is replaced by severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and frequent loose stools. In addition, the temperature rises, chills, increased sweating and other signs of fever appear, and loss of consciousness is possible.
These symptoms indicate severe intoxication of the body due to the activity of pathogenic bacteria; frequent vomiting and loose stools lead to dehydration of the body, which leads to irreversible consequences (impaired kidney function, changes in the cardiovascular system).
Intestinal infections in childhood and old age can cause death.
Intestinal infection syndrome manifests itself in the form of fever, weakness, pallor of the skin (with some infections against a background of high temperature), decreased blood pressure; in severe cases of the disease, cold hands and feet are observed; in children under one year of age, intoxication can cause neurological disorders.
In addition, diarrhea and vomiting that occur with intestinal infections can lead to dehydration.
Depending on the causative agent of the disease, intestinal infections may temperature rise(37ºС and above).
Some infections occur without a rise in temperature (cholera) or with a slight short-term increase (staphylococcus).
Diarrhea almost always accompanies intestinal infections. After infection, diarrhea may take several hours (with food poisoning) or days (with a bacterial infection) to appear.
Some bacteria can pose a danger to human life, so when the first signs of an intestinal disease appear, you should immediately consult a doctor, especially if the stool is very watery or contains blood.
Acute intestinal infections represent a group of diseases that mainly affect the intestines. The cause of infection is pathogenic bacteria and viruses. In most cases, such diseases provoke severe food poisoning, which is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain.
If symptoms of acute intestinal infection appear, you should urgently seek help. medical care and undergo treatment in a hospital.
Course of intestinal infection
Different types of intestinal infections have different symptoms and can occur in different ways, for example, rotavirus infections are mild, causing not only loose stools and vomiting, but also cold symptoms; with dysentery, liquid stool mixed with blood appears; the disease is usually severe, with severe abdominal pain, with salmonellosis, dark green stools.
But in some cases, the causative agent of the infection remains unknown, and doctors indicate in the diagnosis that the etiology of the disease has not been established.
Almost all intestinal infections proceed the same way, where one period of the disease gradually gives way to another:
- incubation period - the time from the onset of infection until the first symptoms appear; this period depends on individual characteristics body and can take from several hours to several days. At this stage, the first signs of an intestinal infection may be lethargy and fatigue.
- acute period – lasts from 1-2 days to two weeks. This period is characterized by the appearance of diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever.
It is worth noting that some people experience the infection with one main symptom, i.e. only with vomiting or only with diarrhea; the disease can also occur with or without fever.
- recovery period - begins after diarrhea, diarrhea and other signs of the acute stage of the disease stop. Recovery of the body can take a long time (up to several years) if treatment was ineffective or completely absent. During this period, the body is especially susceptible to viruses and bacteria, and there is a high probability of re-infection with an intestinal infection or cold. The course of the disease in the acute and recovery stages depends on the causative agent of the disease, the number of bacteria or viruses that have entered the body, the person’s condition before infection (weakened immunity, concomitant diseases, impaired intestinal microflora, etc.), as well as on timely treatment.
Complications of intestinal infections
If the disease does not necessary treatment, then it is possible to develop a state of shock caused by dehydration or waste products of pathogenic flora.
In addition, intestinal infections can provoke inflammation in abdominal cavity, intestinal bleeding, disturbance of intestinal microflora, heart failure, joint inflammation.
Allergy after intestinal infection may result from a reaction of the immune system to bacteria or viruses. This usually appears as a skin rash.
Viral infections can increase intestinal permeability, which increases the risk of developing food allergies in the future.
Allergic reactions can also occur while taking medications, especially after taking antibiotics.
The recovery period after an intestinal infection can take a long time, the functioning of the digestive system is disrupted and it takes some time to restore all functions. To help the body, enzyme preparations that improve digestion, prebiotics and probiotics, which contain beneficial bacteria to normalize the intestinal microflora, are prescribed.
Weakness is one of the symptoms of an intestinal infection. Malaise occurs as a result of the action of toxins that poison the entire body and can persist for some time after the disappearance of the main symptoms of the disease (vomiting, diarrhea, fever). Typically, the recovery period with proper and timely treatment takes several days. Other factors are also important, for example, the state of immunity, dysbiosis, concomitant diseases, which can increase the period of recovery of the body after illness.
Weakness after an infection can be associated with prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, which deprive the body of important nutrients and disrupt metabolic processes.
Vomit often occurs with intestinal infections; it develops due to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and poisoning of the body with microbial toxins.
Vomiting appears in the acute period of the disease; as recovery progresses, this symptom gradually disappears; during the period of recovery of the body, as a rule, vomiting does not bother a person.
The reappearance of a symptom, especially against the background of weakness, fever, diarrhea, may indicate re-development illness or new infection.
Often this situation occurs in a hospital; young children are especially vulnerable because they have poor personal hygiene and come into contact in the hospital with other children who suffer from other infections.
Abdominal pain due to intestinal infection caused by pathogenic microorganisms that have entered and actively multiply in the intestines. Depending on the pathogen, the pain can be of varying intensity and have a different character - aching, spasms, sharp, etc.
After recovery, abdominal pain may persist for some time, which is associated with the consequences of bacterial activity and the restoration of normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Often the pain is accompanied by loose stools (1-2 times a day), which is associated with inadequate functioning of the digestive system after an infection. This condition should not cause concern, but if other symptoms appear (fever, frequent loose stools, nausea, vomiting), you should consult with a doctor.
Diagnosis of intestinal infection
If an intestinal infection is suspected, the doctor first finds out the time of onset of the first symptoms, possible risk factors that could provoke the disease (swimming in reservoirs, poor-quality water, missing food, contact with animals or birds, etc.). Concomitant diseases that could increase the risk of contracting an intestinal infection (alcoholism, HIV, etc.) are also identified.
Symptoms of intestinal infection are inherent in a number of other diseases, so during the initial examination it is impossible to accurately diagnose and additional tests are prescribed (blood, urine, stool, culture) that will help determine the causative agent of the infection and determine an effective course of treatment.
Analysis for intestinal infections is necessary to identify the causative agent of the disease and select an antibiotic that can overcome the infection. Usually, without analysis, the process of treating intestinal infections is protracted, since the drug sensitivity of bacteria to antibiotics or other medicines May vary from patient to patient.
As already mentioned, intestinal diseases can be viral or bacterial in nature; based on the symptoms, it is quite difficult to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.
For this reason, tests are important for intestinal infections.
Microbiological analysis of stool identifies the causative agent of intestinal infection. This test is also called culture and is based on examining stool under a microscope followed by culture. Under a microscope, it is not always possible to determine the type of infection, since the sample being studied may contain a small amount of bacteria, so after this, a stool sample is inoculated in a special device that maintains an optimal temperature for bacterial growth. At this stage, when the active growth of bacterial colonies begins, microorganisms inhabiting the intestines are identified.
After a few days, a sample of pure cultures is again examined under a microscope to accurately identify pathogenic bacteria.
If pathogenic microorganisms are detected in the stool, a bacterial sensitivity test to antibacterial drugs is performed. At this stage, various groups of antibiotics are introduced into the bacterial colony and it is noted how quickly and in what quantity the bacteria die after exposure to a particular drug.
The test results indicate the causative agent of the infection and other bacteria found in the intestines, as well as what type of antibiotics the pathogens are sensitive to.
PCR (polymer chain reaction) analysis allows you to determine the type of infection by a small fragment of RNA or DNA of pathogens in any fluid produced by the human body. This study allows you to detect both bacterial and viral infections.
PCR analysis can be quantitative or qualitative. In a quantitative study, the number of pathogenic microorganisms in the stool is revealed, while in a qualitative study, the type of infectious agent is identified.
Differential diagnosis
In differential diagnosis, diseases that do not match the symptoms are excluded, which ultimately makes it possible to diagnose one possible disease.
There are various systems and programs that carry out differential diagnosis, both complete and partial.
The main, but not the exclusive symptom of intestinal infection is diarrhea; differential diagnosis allows us to eliminate errors and improper treatment.
Before making a diagnosis, the specialist finds out the patient’s age, the nature and frequency of bowel movements, vomiting, the intensity of pain, and seasonality is also taken into account.
, , [
You cannot drink water from the tap, spring, river, street pump, etc.
Before eating, you need to wash fruits, vegetables, and berries well. When buying melons and watermelons, you should give preference to whole fruits; in cut, wrinkled, cracked places, harmful microorganisms quickly multiply.
Buy meat, milk and dairy products only in stores. If you bought raw milk at the market you must boil it.
During the trip, food should be stored in separate bags.
You cannot swim in prohibited areas; while swimming, it is important not to swallow water.
Do not allow insects, which are the main carriers of dangerous infections, to land or crawl on your food.
Quarantine carried out with the aim of preventing further spread of infection among children in child care institutions, employees, etc. Such measures help stop infection with dangerous infections, and quarantine can be introduced within kindergarten, school, any institution, as well as state level with the closure of borders not only for the entry or exit of citizens, but also for the import or export of products.
Prognosis of intestinal infection
Early detection of infection and proper therapy contribute to complete recovery without serious complications. It should be remembered that after suffering from an illness, the body’s defenses are weakened and it is defenseless against viruses and infections, which requires additional precautions (do not overcool, do not expose yourself to nervous shock, stress, etc.).
With severe development of the disease, toxic shock syndrome, pulmonary edema, renal or heart failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, etc. are possible.
Intestinal infections are the most common diseases in the world; pathogenic bacteria pose a particular danger in the summer season, when favorable conditions arise for the active reproduction of pathogenic microflora.
As a rule, the acute period of the disease passes in a few days, provided proper treatment (drinking plenty of fluids, taking enterosorbents and drugs to restore water and electrolyte balance). It is worth noting that it is impossible to take antiemetic and antidiarrheal drugs for intestinal infections, as this will stop the cleansing of the body from pathogenic microorganisms and toxins and will lead to even greater intoxication.
If there is no improvement after 2-3 days, you should seek medical help and undergo full examination in case of infection with dangerous infections.
If treated incorrectly, relapses often occur, and the disease can become chronic, making the person dangerous to others.
It is necessary to immediately consult a doctor if diarrhea appears in children under one year of age, with severe vomiting, when a person cannot even take a sip of water without a gag reflex, with urinary retention, blood in the stool, high temperature that does not decrease when taking antipyretics, or loss of consciousness.
The general name intestinal infection refers to a whole group of infectious diseases of various origins. The causative agents of these diseases affect digestive system. The characteristic features of each of them are body poisoning and dehydration. The infection penetrates the intestines and it is there that the pathogens localize and multiply.
The International Classification of Diseases assigned this group of pathologies code A00-A09. It includes diseases such as cholera, tuberculous enteritis, salmonellosis, amoebiasis, shegellosis, bacterial poisoning, and typhus. According to WHO, about 2 million people worldwide die every year from various forms of intestinal infection. Moreover, most of them are children under the age of 5 years. The peak incidence occurs in the summer period of the year.
Types of pathogens and routes of infection
There are other forms of intestinal infection caused by bacteria, but these are the most common. A bacterial gastric infection is provoked by microbes that can be opportunistic or purely pathogenic. The latter include the abdominal type bacillus and Vibrio cholerae. Their penetration into the human body always causes infectious poisoning.
Opportunistic pathogens are those microorganisms whose presence in small quantities is considered normal, i.e., in such a concentration they do not harm humans. But if for some reason reproduction occurs and there are too many of them, then they cause disease. Bacterial infection occurs through the fecal-oral or nutritional-household route. Infection often occurs when eating foods contaminated with germs and not following hygiene rules.
Gastrointestinal infections of viral etiology are divided into the following types:
- enterovirus;
- rotavirus
- coronavirus;
- norfolkvirus;
- reovirus.
A viral infection, penetrating the intestines, causes inflammation of its mucous membrane. A person who has suffered a viral intestinal infection remains infectious to others for one month after recovery. Viral infections of the stomach and intestines are in most cases transmitted by airborne droplets or household contact. Thus, infection can occur even through a kiss on the cheek of a child.
The simplest protozoan organisms are also the cause of the development of infectious diseases affecting the intestines and stomach. These include giardiasis, amoebiasis, schistosomiasis, and cryptosporidiosis. The protozoal form of intestinal infection is much less common than the bacterial or viral one. Infection usually occurs through water if water is swallowed while swimming in untested bodies of water.
Drinking unboiled water can also cause infection. Diseases caused by this pathogen are characterized by a long course. Infection with viral intestinal infections occurs through household and airborne transmission. Bacterial infections transmitted by oral-fecal, household and airborne methods.
The source is a sick person. Microbial excretion occurs from the onset of the disease until complete recovery. The greatest risk of contracting gastrointestinal diseases is long-term storage products. Intestinal infections are almost always enteral, that is, they enter the body through the mouth. Predisposing factors to infection are:
- ignoring the rules of personal hygiene;
- low acidity stomach;
- lack of access to clean water;
- living in unsatisfactory sanitary and hygienic conditions;
- intestinal dysbiosis.
The most common bacteria that cause intestinal diseases enter the human body as a result of consuming the following products:
- salmonella – poor heat treatment of meat and eggs;
- Staphylococcus aureus – mayonnaise and custards;
- Vibrio cholerae – contaminated water, including from open water bodies;
- E. coli – consumption of unboiled water or products washed with water from open reservoirs;
- parahemolytic vibrio - raw seafood.
Intestinal infection is caused by bacteria and viruses
Symptoms of intestinal infection
An intestinal infection, regardless of what pathogen caused the disease, is accompanied by severe intoxication and damage to the digestive organs. However, each type of disease has its own characteristics. After the causative agent of an intestinal infection enters the oral cavity, it is swallowed along with saliva and penetrates the stomach and then the intestines. But in the stomach they are not destroyed by hydrochloric acid, so they pass into the intestines and actively multiply, causing disease.
All types of pathology under consideration are characterized by one common and main symptom - diarrhea and loose stools. Other signs of intestinal infection such as nausea and vomiting, fever, abdominal cramps, and weakness do not always appear after infection. But the disease manifests itself in two types of syndromes: intestinal and intoxication. The severity of each of them varies depending on the type of pathogen.
The following classification is typical for intestinal syndrome:
- Colitic. Pain in the left lower abdomen, frequent urge to have bowel movements, stool contains an admixture of mucus and blood.
- Gastric. Intense pain in the stomach, nausea and vomiting after each meal, rare diarrhea.
- Enterocolitic. Severe abdominal pain, frequent bowel movements with mucus or loose stools.
- Gastroenteric. The pain is localized around the navel and in the stomach area, vomiting and frequent mushy stools appear, which then become foamy with a pungent odor.
- Enteriteric. They are characterized by only one symptom – frequent watery stools.
- Gastroenterocolitic. Vomiting and intense pain throughout the abdomen, painful bowel movements without relief, blood and mucus in the stool.
Intoxication syndrome is manifested by an increase in temperature above 37 degrees and general weakness. The patient complains of dizziness and headache, lack of appetite and nausea, and aches throughout the body. This infectious-toxic syndrome can last from 2 hours to several days. Due to excessive vomiting and diarrhea, the patient develops dehydration.
If left untreated, it can lead to death in a short period of time.
Diseases classified as intestinal infections
Symptoms of intestinal infection vary depending on the type of disease. In addition, how long each of them lasts is also determined by the type of pathogen. Depending on the duration of the infection, it can be acute and last less than 6 weeks, protracted - longer than 6 weeks, and chronic. The latter can last up to six months. Local manifestations of the disease also differ according to which organ of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is most affected.
The incubation period of dysentery lasts up to 1 week. The disease has an acute onset with a sharp rise in temperature to 40 degrees. Against the background of fever, convulsions and impaired consciousness cannot be ruled out. Associated symptoms of dysentery are as follows:
- severe weakness and weakness;
- lack of appetite;
- muscle and headache;
- sharp pain in the left iliac abdomen;
- intestinal spasms;
- false urge to defecate;
- inflammation of the anal sphincter;
- multiple intestinal lesions up to 20 times a day.
Stools are usually liquid and contain blood and mucus. In severe cases of the disease, intestinal bleeding may develop. Salmonellosis begins with a rise in temperature to 39 degrees and the appearance of nausea and vomiting. In most cases, the disease has similar symptoms to gastritis and gastroenterocolitis. She is characterized by copious and frequent stools.
In rare cases, respiratory and typhoid-like types of salmonellosis occur. In the first case, the symptoms are supplemented by signs similar to those of a cold. Infection with E. coli is called escherichiosis. Its main symptoms are profuse and prolonged vomiting, bloating, loss of appetite and weakness. The stool is frequent and has a yellow tint.
One of the most common types of intestinal infection, especially in children, is rotavirus infection. In most cases, it has a course of gastroenteritis or enteritis. The incubation period lasts from 1 to 3 days. Rotavirus has an acute onset, and the severity of symptoms becomes maximum by the end of the first day of illness
The infection is characterized by increased body temperature and general intoxication, nausea and vomiting, and copious foamy and watery stools. Rotavirus infection is often accompanied by catarrhal symptoms, such as runny nose, sore throat, swelling and redness of the pharynx, and cough. Usually cure occurs within a week after starting treatment.
No less common is staphylococcal intestinal infection. It can be primary or secondary. In the first case, the microbe enters the gastrointestinal tract through the mouth. The secondary type of disease is characterized by the fact that the pathogen is introduced into the gastrointestinal tract by blood flow from other foci of infection.
The disease is accompanied by dehydration and toxicosis, frequent bowel movements and vomiting. The stool has a watery, greenish consistency and may contain mucus. Often the infection has a course similar to a cold: a runny nose, low temperature and sore throat appear, then intestinal disorders occur.
There are many diseases that fall under the category of “intestinal infection”
Drug treatment
Medicines intended to treat intestinal infections are prescribed by a doctor on the basis of laboratory tests, through which the type of causative agent of the disease is identified. So, if the infection is viral in nature, then antiviral drugs are prescribed. If the source of the disease is bacteria, the patient is prescribed antibacterial tablets.
Since intestinal poisoning the most pronounced symptoms are intoxication and stool disturbances, first of all, they need to be eliminated. This is achieved by eliminating from the body of the diseased pathogenic agent that caused the disease. It is also necessary to normalize the water-electrolyte balance in the intestines and remove toxic substances from the body. To achieve the latter, it is necessary to treat the patient with sorbents.
Treatment of intestinal infection includes taking the following groups of drugs:
- antibiotics;
- antiviral agents;
- sorbents;
- medicines for diarrhea;
- enzymes;
- painkillers.
For intestinal infections of bacterial origin, antimicrobial agents from the group of fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, amphenicolones or metronidazoles are prescribed. These may be Ofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Levomethicin, Doxycycline. All types of intestinal infections are accompanied by the formation of toxic substances as a result of the activity of pathogenic microorganisms.
Therefore it is necessary to take medicines to remove them from the gastrointestinal tract. For this purpose, sorbents are prescribed; they absorb harmful substances and remove them from the intestines unchanged. The most popular drug in this group is Activated carbon. The recommended dose of the drug is 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. Also, in case of severe intoxication, Polysorb, Smecta or Enterosgel are prescribed.
To normalize stool and eliminate diarrhea, special medications are prescribed. Their names are as follows: Trimebutin, Loperamide, Stopdiar, Fthalazol, Nifuroxazide. Taking these drugs will have a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. They help reduce intestinal tone and motility.
If, along with other symptoms, an intestinal infection is accompanied by severe pain, you can take painkillers. But this should be done only after the doctor’s approval, since taking them independently before being examined by a doctor can change the clinical picture, which will significantly complicate diagnosis. Usually, Spazmaton, No-shpa or Benalgin are prescribed to alleviate the condition.
After eliminating the acute symptoms of an intestinal infection, it is recommended to take enzymatic preparations to normalize and accelerate digestive processes. As such, Mezim forte, Pancreatin or Micrazim are most often prescribed. It is also necessary to restore the intestinal microflora; for this purpose, taking probiotics is provided. They are included in the complex treatment of intestinal infections in both adults and children.
In some cases of intestinal infection, emergency treatment may be required. The need for this arises when the patient experiences uncontrollable diarrhea more than 8 times a day. The nature of the stool is also important; it is watery and resembles rice water that is alarming. For such symptoms, it is recommended:
- put in a dropper with glucose and isotonic sodium chloride solution;
- Inject the lytic mixture intramuscularly;
- take steps to rehydrate;
- ensure the intake of adsorbents.
In case of food poisoning, gastric lavage and a cleansing enema are also performed. These procedures must be prescribed by the attending physician.
Intestinal infection requires complex treatment
Complications, prognosis and prevention
Any intestinal infection is fraught with the development of severe complications. The most common of these is dehydration. This occurs due to excessive vomiting and diarrhea, causing water and salts to leave the body. For a person, a loss of 10% of the total fluid volume is critical. This may result in coma and death. But such a prognosis is typical for a severe case of the disease and lack of treatment.
The following signs will indicate possible dehydration:
- lack of urination for more than 6 hours;
- dry tongue;
- dry skin;
- rapid pulse;
- lowering blood pressure;
- the skin takes on a grayish tint.
When assessing the degree of dehydration, you should not rely on the sign of thirst, since this symptom is not always present. Another form of complication of intestinal infection is infectious-toxic shock. This condition is provoked by the predominance of toxic substances in high concentrations in the blood. It can develop at the onset of the disease against the background of a rise in body temperature to high levels.
Often in children, intestinal infection is complicated by the development of pneumonia, which is the result of moderate dehydration when the fluid lost by the body is not sufficiently replenished. Acute renal failure often occurs against the background of intoxication of the body. Early diagnosis of the disease and adequate treatment contributes to complete cure patient without the development of severe complications.
But it must be borne in mind that after suffering an intestinal infection, a person’s immunity is weakened and is susceptible to other viruses and infections. Therefore, it wouldn't hurt to take extra precautions. In this regard, you should not overcool and expose yourself to various nervous shocks. Typically, the acute period of the disease passes 3–4 days after the start of treatment.
But if no improvement is observed during this time, you should re-seek medical help and be examined to identify more dangerous infections. Particular attention should be paid to the well-being of children under one year of age. If they have severe diarrhea and vomit even from a sip of water, they should immediately consult a doctor.
Thorough washing of fruits clean water prevents intestinal infections
Intestinal infection is considered a disease of dirty hands and therefore one of the main ways to prevent it is to maintain personal hygiene. In addition, to prevent it, doctors recommend a number of simple rules:
- frequent hand washing with soap, especially after using the toilet and before eating;
- maintaining cleanliness of cutlery and bathrooms;
- wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating;
- sufficient heat treatment of meat, milk and eggs;
- compliance with rules and shelf life of products.
If there is already a sick person in the family, the question arises of what to do. To reduce the likelihood of infection, healthy family members need to: use individual cutlery, wear a bandage when in contact with a sick person, clean with disinfecting solutions, disinfect the patient’s dishes and belongings.
