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Your baby is six months old but has not been vaccinated against rotavirus? And it happened – frequent hand washing and care for hygiene were not enough … Rotavirus attacked! We advise you on how to survive the nightmare of a dangerous infection.
So war …
How is the infection going? It usually starts with a not very high fever and at first you think it’s just a cold. Then there is vomiting, sometimes very intense – even several to several dozen times a day. The fever does not go away, it only increases – in the black scenario it can reach 40 degrees Celsius. When your child has diarrhea, usually watery, shooting and persistent – you already know that the rotavirus has attacked.
What can you do in case of rotavirus infection?
Most sick children can be treated at home after prior medical consultation. There is one “but” – if you become dehydrated, you must go to the hospital immediately. Alarm signals include listlessness, dry, cold skin, infrequent urination, dry mucous membranes, sunken eyeballs, crying without tears, and no capillary recurrence. Infants, chronically ill children and toddlers with impaired immunity are particularly susceptible to severe rotavirus infection.
Not only water
The bad news is that no drug has yet been developed to fight rotavirus, and “home treatment” is about relieving symptoms. The most important thing is to keep your baby hydrated throughout the illness. What matters is the type of liquid, its temperature and the method of administration.
Water alone is not enough. In order to supplement electrolytes lost with diarrhea and vomiting, i.e. elements necessary for the proper functioning of the body, it is worth reaching for the so-called oral rehydration fluids (DPN) with a specially designed composition that ensures appropriate osmolality (fluid pressure on biological membranes), as well as appropriate sodium and glucose concentrations.
The toddler can also drink lightly brewed tea, compote or lightly salted soups. Liquids at room temperature should be administered regularly in small amounts, i.e. little, and often. When it comes to juices, flavored waters or carbonated cola drinks, you have to give them up. Due to the presence of simple sugars, they can increase water loss and aggravate diarrhea.
One of the mistakes many parents make is giving their baby anti-diarrheal drugs. Vomiting and diarrhea indicate that the patient’s body is trying to rid the digestive tract of rotaviruses. By giving a toddler anti-diarrheal drugs, we help to eliminate the symptoms, but we make it difficult for the body to fight the disease and we can extend its time – pathogenic microorganisms, instead of being quickly excreted, will remain in the body.
Easily digestible plate
Unfortunately, your child has to say goodbye to his beloved cheese toasts or breaded nuggets while he is ill. In the period of acute infection, the toddler may lose his appetite at all and should not be forced to eat. When hydration levels return to normal and the patient feels better, follow a diet that is easy to digest, reduced fat and fiber. Why? During diarrhea, digestion and nutrient absorption are disturbed, and the additional burden on the stomach may aggravate the unpleasant symptoms.
It is recommended to eat small meals more often. The basis of the daily menu should be products made of refined grains, such as: white rice or small groats (corn, semolina, barley), as well as boiled carrots and potatoes. The child can also eat lean meat (chicken, turkey, veal), and as part of an easily digestible dessert, you can serve him rusks, biscuits or apple mousse.
It is not only the composition of the plate that is important, but also the way in which the dishes are prepared. Initially, they should be boiled in water, steamed or baked in foil or parchment. It is advisable to avoid hot spices that irritate the digestive tract, such as curry, turmeric, ginger, hot pepper, pepper, and excessive salt. Dishes can be seasoned with delicate herbs.
As the symptoms subside and the child’s well-being improves, you can gradually return to a normal diet, consistent with the principles of rational nutrition.
Insulation longer than you think …
The specificity of rotavirus infections is that when one of the family members becomes ill, there is a very high risk of falling ill with the others, especially siblings or grandparents who are immunocompromised.
Each of the household members is obliged to wash their hands frequently (before meals, after using the toilet, after contact with the patient’s toys), take care of hygiene, use separate dishes and cutlery. The guests should also be informed about the child’s rotavirus infection, and it is best to limit contacts during the disease.
It is worth remembering that rotavirus infection is associated with a huge burden on the entire body and what your little one needs is rest and regeneration. A comfortable bed, airy room and clean pajamas are essential. It is also worth preparing various attractions – colorful books, your favorite fairy tale on DVD or a board game, so that the time spent in bed will not be long.
How long should convalescence take? Longer than you think. Although rotavirus infection is a disease that affects both children and adults for an average of 4-10 days. The child should also be isolated during the excretion of viruses, which may take up to 7-10 days after the child starts to feel better. In immunocompromised people, the time it takes to expel the viruses can be up to a month! Such a long stay at home will not please your child, you or your employer.
Finally, remember: the described scenario may not happen. It can be prevented – it is enough to vaccinate the child – the sooner the better. The rotavirus vaccine can be given to your baby from six weeks of age and up to 24 weeks of age at the latest.