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Viral infections, including rotavirus, are considered to be the most common cause of acute diarrhea, especially in countries with a high standard of living and high hygiene. Viral diarrhea can range from asymptomatic with nausea and abdominal pain to fully symptomatic, accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and general weakness.
The greatest intensity of infection with pathogenic viruses in a temperate climate is recorded in the autumn and winter season – approx. 80%. illnesses. Usually, children from 6 months to 2 years of age are ill. After the age of 3, children in all countries of the world rapidly develop antibodies to the virus, regardless of living conditions. In adults, the disease is less frequent, usually mild or even asymptomatic.
Viruses are mainly transmitted by food. Infection can occur through dirty hands, water, food, so viruses get into the digestive tract as a result of hygienic negligence. The droplet route is also possible, as evidenced by frequent respiratory tract infections that accompany or more often precede diarrhea. The most common causes include viral infections (Rotaviruses, Caliciviruses, Astroviruses, Adenoviruses), bacterial and parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Food poisoning, medications and many other diseases are an important factor contributing to the appearance of diarrhea.
The reservoir is a sick child who sheds the virus along with the stool (most in the first week of infection). This situation can last up to a month or more. Rotaviruses multiply and locate in the epithelial cells of the small intestine, at the tips of the villi, destroying them. In severe cases, atrophic changes are similar to the damage diagnosed in celiac disease. The structure of the small intestine epithelium is rebuilt about ten days after the diarrhea has stopped.
The incubation period lasts approximately 72 hours.
To support your body during and after viral diarrhea, use LactoDr. in capsules – a dietary supplement containing Lactobacillus probiotic bacteria.
The most common viruses that cause diarrhea:
1.adenoviruses – the hatching period is about 8-10 days; this type of virus is most common in children under the age of two and occurs throughout the year (not seasonal);
2. astroviruses – are viruses that cause diarrhea in children under the age of seven, and their incubation period is much shorter than that of adenoviruses: 24-36 hours. The highest peak of incidence occurs in the fall and winter;
3. noraviruses – highly infectious; infection usually occurs through contact with sick people, objects or through virus-contaminated water and food. Predisposing places for infection are: hospitals, canteens, bars, nursing homes or nurseries. In addition to diarrhea, there may be severe headache and joint pain; the duration in adults is 1-3 days, while in children, diarrhea may last up to a week.
Viral diarrhea – symptoms
Some children develop symptoms of upper respiratory tract catarrh at first, then develop intense vomiting and diarrhea that may last 8-10 days. The number of stools given by children is numerous (up to 10 a day), watery, yellow-green, mucus-free and blood-free. The fever is not very specific. In about 1/3 of children with rotavirus infection, symptoms from the central nervous system in the form of irritation or apathy are visible.
The symptoms of viral diarrhea may vary from person to person. It should be remembered that acute diarrhea will not infrequently lead to dehydration as your little one refuses to eat or drink. Dehydration leads to the loss of electrolytes from the body. Moreover, diagnosing viral diarrhea is not an easy task as the symptoms are characteristic of other types of diarrhea as well.
During viral diarrhea, it is worth strengthening the body with an appropriate probiotic. Lactibiane Travel contains probiotic strains of Lactobacillus, which soothes intestinal infections and normalizes the composition of the bacterial flora.
So how do you diagnose diarrhea?
Appropriate tests are needed to diagnose viral diarrhea to identify individual viruses. Sometimes, however, the concentration of the virus is very low, making it impossible to detect. This is because the virus is excreted a few days before the onset of the first symptoms, so infection occurs when we are not aware of its presence. Diagnosis is also made on the basis of the symptoms present, and on the basis of serological tests and confirmation of the virus shedding in the faeces.
The mainstay of treatment of children with viral diarrhea is their systematic rehydration (orally at home or intravenously in a hospital). The normal diet can be restarted once the baby’s electrolyte levels are rebalanced. Breastfeeding a child has a good effect, as do preparations containing probiotic bacteria.
In case of diarrhea, reach for Diarrhea – a herbal mixture of Father Klimuszko available on Medonet Market in an economical packaging and at a favorable price.
Note: In viral diarrhea, antibiotics and preparations to stop them are not used. The goal of treatment is to eliminate the virus from the sick child’s body.
There are reports in the literature about the beneficial effects of zinc, but they mostly refer to malnourished children from developing countries. In the European population of children with acute diarrhea, the positive effects of using this element have not been proven.
- Check the effects of the Digestion-regulating Tea that you can buy at Medonet Market.
In the prevention of viral diarrhea, the most important are:
- avoiding contact with people who have symptoms of viral infection;
- washing hands after using the toilet;
- compliance with personal hygiene when changing the diaper of the baby;
- washing hands before eating;
- remembering to vaccinate (especially against rotavirus);
- avoiding drinking water of unknown origin.
Rotavirus vaccines contain live attenuated viruses. They are administered orally to infants from six weeks of age to prevent rotavirus-induced diarrhea. The effectiveness in preventing severe gastroenteritis is estimated at about 84-98%. The entire vaccination course (2 or 3 doses) should be completed before the child is XNUMX weeks old. These vaccines can be used alone or together with inactivated pediatric vaccines.
DuoLife ProImmuno is a dietary supplement whose natural composition helps fight bacterial and viral infections as well as inflammation. Quercetin strengthens the immune system, and zinc helps neutralize free radicals. You can buy DuoLife ProImmuno quickly and conveniently at medonetmarket.pl.