What are acute intestinal infections and how to protect yourself from them

What are acute intestinal infections

Acute intestinal infections, or acute gastroenteritis, are inflammations of the stomach and small intestine. which have similar symptoms - vomiting, diarrhea, intoxication, and sometimes dehydration, but are caused by different microorganisms. pathogens enter the intestines attachedOverview of Gastroenteritis / MSD Manuals to his cells. Further, they either penetrate deeper into the wall and provoke inflammation, or produce toxins that poison the body.

Intestinal infections are very common. But it is difficult to collect statistics on them, because many people are treated at home and do not reach doctors. There is evidence that for the year in the United States every sixth person gets infectedOverview of Gastroenteritis / MSD Manuals gastroenteritis. And in 2015 the world had revealedM. A. Khan. Epidemiological studies on gastroenteritis in children in the Bannu district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan / Journal of Public Health

more than 2 billion cases of acute intestinal infections, more than 1.3 million people died from them.

What causes acute intestinal infections

As we have said, a variety of microorganisms can cause symptoms. To determine the cause, there are special blood and stool tests. But they are needed only in severe cases.

Viruses

50 to 70% of intestinal infections causeEmergent Treatment of Gastroenteritis / Medscape viruses. Most often it is:

• norovirus;
• rotavirus;
• calicivirus;
• adenovirus;
• parvovirus;
• astrovirus;
• coronavirus;
• pestovirus;
• toravirus.

Protozoa

10–15% gastroenteritis provokeEmergent Treatment of Gastroenteritis / Medscape protozoa. Usually this:

• lamblia;
• intestinal amoeba;
• cryptosporidium;
• cyclospores.

bacteria

15–20% gastroenteritis causedEmergent Treatment of Gastroenteritis / Medscape bacteria, for example:

• salmonella;
• shigella;
• clostridia;
• yersinia;
• cholera vibrio;
• coli;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Unlike viruses and protozoa, bacteria that enter the body can not only penetrate the intestinal walls and cause inflammation, but also release toxins. And not only inside a person, but also outside of him. For example, clostridia and staphylococci produceOverview of Gastroenteritis / MSD Manuals toxic substances in food. Such food can provoke vomiting and diarrheaeven if the bacteria themselves do not enter the body. The disease will be called toxic infection and, unlike acute intestinal infections, will pass in a few hours.

What are the symptoms of acute intestinal infections

Despite the difference in causes, the main signs for all acute intestinal infections matchGastroenteritis / Better Health by The Department of Health State Government of Victoria, Australia. This is:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• bloating;
• painful spasms and urge to empty the bowels - tenesmus;
• loss of appetite;
• lethargy and weakness;
• temperature increase;
• sometimes blood and pus in the stool.

Can an acute intestinal infection be life threatening?

Usually symptoms pass1. Viral Gastroenteritis / Medscape
2. Bacterial gastroenteritis / Medscape independently and do not cause complications. But in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people, gastroenteritis is especially severe. Severe dehydration leads to hospitalization and even death.

In addition, Salmonella, Yersinia and Campylobacter mayEmergent Treatment of Gastroenteritis / Medscape penetrate the intestinal wall, damage it to the vessels, enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis. This formidable complication can also lead to death.

What to do if you suspect an acute intestinal infection

Sometimes the symptoms go away on their own in a few hours and do not require a visit to the doctor. If the condition is not well tolerated, you can call the clinic and call a therapist.

Impossible without emergency medical care get byViral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) / Mayo Clinic, if:

• black stools or streaked with blood;
• temperature above 39 degrees;
• the stomach and intestines hurt a lot;
• there are signs of dehydration - severe thirst, dry mouth, darkening of urine, a decrease in its amount or its absence, weakness, dizziness, fainting;
• diarrhea lasts more than two days in an adult or more than 24 hours The child has.

How to treat an acute intestinal infection

As we have already said, intestinal infections often go away without treatment: it is enough to compensate for the loss of water and salts, and also to give the gastrointestinal tract a break. If necessary, the doctor may prescribe drugs against the pathogen or symptomatic drugs.

Replenish lost fluid

Regardless of the cause of gastroenteritis, you need to help the body deal1. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) / Mayo Clinic
2. Bacterial gastroenteritis / Medscape with severe dehydration.

Drinking water is not the best option, because, in addition to liquid, the body loses sodium, potassium and other ions. Juices are also not suitable: they irritate the digestive tract and aggravate diarrhea. It is better to drink electrolyte solutions (rehydratants) from a pharmacy or broths.

If it is not possible to make up for the loss with a drink, the doctor will prescribe droppers.

Follow a healthy diet

In the first hours refuse1. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) / Mayo Clinic
2. Bacterial gastroenteritis / Medscape from solid food. As you improve, you can start eating crackers, cereals on the water, noodles, rice and bananas.

Until recovery, you can not eat fatty and spicy foods, drink alcohol and drinks with caffeine.

Remove toxins

Toxins are eliminated on their own vomiting and diarrhea. Enterosorbents can help with this and get rid of symptoms faster. Therefore, they are often adviseAT. Panfilova, T. Taranushenko. The use of enterosorbents in clinical practice / Pediatric pharmacology local doctors. True, their foreign colleagues do not include sorbents in their recommendations.

Fight the pathogen

Depending on the cause of gastroenteritis, requiredGastroenteritis / Better Health by The Department of Health State Government of Victoria, Australia appointment antibiotics or antiparasitic drugs. The decision is made only by the doctor.

Relieve symptoms

The Mayo Clinic Research Center recommends probiotics after persistent diarrhea because they can improveDiarrhea / Mayo Clinic intestinal condition. So you might consider taking the course.

But antiemetic and antidiarrheal drugs are better do not useGastroenteritis / Better Health by The Department of Health State Government of Victoria, Australia without emergency and doctor's prescription. Vomiting and diarrhea are the body's defense mechanisms against infection. So the body tries to get rid of the pathogen and its toxins. If you block this self-cleansing, the condition may worsen.

Rest

Infection and dehydration weaken the body, so you need to give it a proper relax1. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) / Mayo Clinic
2. Bacterial gastroenteritis / Medscape and get stronger until recovery.

Don't trust advice from the internet

A common myth is that sugary soda prevents dehydration and relieves symptoms, refutedM. Jacobs, A. Rece. Does drinking "flat" cola prevent dehydration in children with acute gastroenteritis? / Archives of Disease in Childhood – Education and Practice in several studies.

Another controversial product is spicy instant noodles. It sounds crazy, but Internet users praise this method. But you should not take it into service: there are no studies on this subject, but it is known for sure that spices and fatty foods are contraindicated in intestinal infections.

How to avoid an acute intestinal infection

There are common precautionary measures, which are needed follow1. Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) / Mayo Clinic
2. Bacterial gastroenteritis / Medscape always:

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap. Pay attention to the cuticles, the space under the nails, the folds of the skin. It is especially important not to forget about washing after using the toilet, changing diapers and before preparing food.
• Use disinfectant gels, sprays, wipes if you can't wash your hands.
• If you have recently had a child, doViral Gastroenteritis / Medscape him a rotavirus vaccine.

At home and on trips, you need to take extra precautions.

Houses

• Do not share towels.
• Do not eat at the same time with someone from the same dishes or cutlery.
• Wash vegetables and fruits before eating.
• Don't forget to wash your kitchen surfaces.
• Disinfect all surfaces if there are sick people in the household. For example, special antiseptic solutions.
• Don't cook for everyone if you feel sick.
• Keep your distance if you or family members suspect an infection.

Traveling

• Drink only from unopened bottles.
• Rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth with only bottled water.
• Do not add ice to drinks because it can be made from contaminated water.
• Avoid raw foods, including peeled fruits, salads, and raw vegetables that have been touched by others.
• Do not eat meat and fish that have not undergone full heat treatment. For example, uncooked steaks, sushi, tartar and stroganina.