Contents
Intestinal infection in children is a fairly common phenomenon, and it is not at all necessary that the child has eaten something dirty and is now suffering from a tummy. One of the most common causative agents of intestinal infections in children are viruses (rotovirus, norovirus, enterovirus, etc.) and bacteria (Klebsiella, Salmonella, Escherichia, etc.).
As a rule, infection of a child with an intestinal infection occurs through household and airborne droplets from a sick person. The disease spreads especially easily and quickly in groups of kindergartens, when children play together, dine together and have close contact with each other. Viruses and bacteria are released into the environment along with saliva, feces, and vomit of the patient and can persist on surfaces for up to 5 days. First, pathogenic bacteria enter the mouth, from there into the gastrointestinal tract, causing inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines – gastritis, gastroenteritis, enteritis, gastroenterocolitis, enterocolitis and colitis.
You can get an intestinal infection in a pool or in small ponds with stagnant water, through poorly washed vegetables and fruits, through dirty hands and toys. When preparing food for a child, it is very important to heat it up: boil milk, boil or fry meat thoroughly, wash vegetables and herbs, wash eggs with soap before cooking, etc.
Most often, children under 5 years of age become infected with an intestinal infection, because they are not particularly keen on washing their hands and strive to put a dirty toy in their mouths. However, the infection can also affect children of older preschool and school age. They tolerate the disease quite calmly and quickly recover, but for children under 1 year old, an intestinal infection can be very dangerous – it can cause dehydration and even sepsis. However, as noted by many pediatricians, babies who are breastfed are easier to tolerate the disease, and they become less likely to become infected, thanks to good immunity.
Symptoms of an intestinal infection in children
The development of intestinal infection is preceded by an incubation period that lasts from 12 hours to 5-6 days. Then comes the acute phase of the disease, during which characteristic symptoms appear – first the head starts to hurt, appetite disappears, then vomiting appears, stool disorder, the temperature rises sharply. Usually the acute phase lasts about 2 to 3 days, after which the child gradually gets better. The total duration of the disease is about 5 – 7 days.
Symptoms of an intestinal infection:
- general weakness, malaise;
- paroxysmal repeated vomiting, frequent urge to it;
- frequent loose stools (up to 15 times a day);
- high temperature (up to 39 ° C);
- pain and discomfort in the abdomen;
- weakness, weakness;
- headache;
- sleep disorders;
- SARS symptoms: cough, runny nose, body aches.
– Small children with an intestinal infection are very naughty, cry, or vice versa, become very lethargic, refuse breasts and bottles, and immediately spit up after feeding. Loose stools contain mucus and foam. In this case, it is better not to hesitate and immediately consult a doctor or call an ambulance, because dehydration in babies occurs almost instantly, explains pediatrician Dina Nauruzova.
Treatment of intestinal infection in children
As a rule, most intestinal infections in children are treated at home, under the supervision of a pediatrician, but sometimes urgent medical intervention and even hospitalization is indispensable.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of an intestinal infection in children is carried out by a pediatrician: he examines the child, measures the temperature, assesses the condition of the skin and appearance, asks the parents how long ago the symptoms appeared, what preceded the infection, how often vomiting occurs, assess the nature of the stool. At the same time, a set of tests is prescribed: a general and biochemical blood test, an analysis of urine and feces, a coprogram, a bacteriological culture of vomit and feces is carried out in order to identify the causative agent of the disease and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
– In case of intestinal infection in children, it is necessary to exclude appendicitis, pancreatitis, lactase deficiency, biliary dyskinesia and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in a child, therefore, additional consultation with a surgeon and a gastroenterologist may be necessary, – adds Dina Nauruzova.
Modern treatments
After establishing the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes treatment. In most cases, intestinal infections in children can be treated at home. According to sanitary rules, only babies with a severe form of an intestinal infection, children under the age of 2 years, with other chronic or acute diseases, and also if it is impossible to provide all the necessary care at home, need hospitalization.
– The most important thing when treating a child with an acute intestinal infection is to constantly give him water to avoid dehydration. Let him drink as often as possible, preferably a rehydrate solution, for example, Regidron, which restores the water-salt balance well. It is not necessary to force the child to drink a lot of liquid at a time, this can provoke a new attack of vomiting. It is better to give him a sip, but every 5 minutes. If the baby is breastfed, attach it to the breast, the pediatrician explains.
Antibiotics are rarely used in the treatment of intestinal infections, only if tests reveal a bacterial form of the disease. The doctor will prescribe sorbents that will cleanse the child’s body of toxins, probiotics to restore the natural intestinal microflora. It is also necessary to follow a strict diet so as not to overload the already weakened gastrointestinal tract.
Prevention of intestinal infection in children at home
Prevention of intestinal infection in children is very simple. It is enough to follow a few rules: monitor the hygiene of the baby, remind him to wash his hands with soap more often, handle his toys, nipples, especially if they have time to lie on the ground, do not allow him to use someone else’s dishes. It is necessary to thoroughly wash vegetables, fruits and herbs before offering them to a child; when preparing food, carefully monitor its heat treatment.
Do not offer your child food that contains perishable ingredients and has been stored in a warm place without a refrigerator. Do not purchase food in unfamiliar and suspicious places and do not treat your child to them. Do not allow the child to drink raw water – especially from ponds or pumps, and use only drinking or boiled water to make tea or dilute the mixture. Do not allow your child to communicate with children who have signs of SARS or intestinal disorders.