Intestinal infection in a 3-year-old child. Intestinal infection in children: causes, symptoms and adequate treatment. 1st generation cephalosporins

Alas, intestinal infections "happen" with children almost as often as SARS. How should parents behave if they suspect an intestinal infection in their children? And are there ways to prevent a dangerous infection?

Intestinal infections in children are manifested by a number of diseases that are caused by the activity of pathogenic viruses or bacteria that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Not surprisingly, the main and most obvious symptoms of almost all intestinal infections are vomiting and diarrhea.

Intestinal infections in children: situations when a child needs a doctor

Intestinal infections (like any other) in children can be both viral and bacterial - the difference, as the names indicate, is in the nature of the pathogen. Among .

In addition to rotavirus, the most common intestinal infections in children include:

Enterovirus
Dysentery

According to WHO statistics, about 2 million children under the age of 5 die every year worldwide from intestinal infections.

However, do not be afraid and despair! Pediatricians say that more than 90% of all cases of intestinal infections in children can be overcome without the use of any special medications, at home, only by observing measures against dehydration of the child's body.

However, the insidious and terrible 10% of intestinal infections in children remain - these are cases of the disease when there can be no talk of any self-treatment. When the main task of the parents and relatives of the baby is to deliver the child to the hospital to infectious disease professionals as soon as possible.

So, if you suspect an intestinal infection, the child immediately needs urgent medical assistance, if:

1 It is impossible to drink it (the child either cannot swallow water, or immediately spits it back);
2 Blood clots are found in feces or vomit;
3 Obvious signs of dehydration are found, which include:

dry skin and mucous membranes;
the so-called "dry" language;
lack of tears and sweat;
lack of urination (never wrote in the last 5-6 hours).

4 With diarrhea or vomiting, the following accompanying symptoms are present:

the child is very chilly;
his skin is pale;
or ;
there is a sharp and strong rise body temperature;
The child complains of a severe headache.

Signs and symptoms of intestinal infection in children

The above signs and symptoms describe situations where a particular intestinal infection becomes severe or even fatal. dangerous form. But, fortunately, such situations do not occur often. In most cases, infection with an intestinal infection, as a rule, is expressed by a number of universal symptoms:

A slight increase in body temperature;
Lethargy, pallor, drowsiness;
Refusal to eat;
diarrhea (diarrhea);
Vomit.

Alas, most parents instantly associate infection with one or another intestinal infection exclusively with diarrhea - they say, since my child has diarrhea, then he must have “caught” at least dysentery. In fact, any intestinal infection always has several symptoms (and not just one), among which diarrhea is far from the most important and not the very first.

How do intestinal infections occur?

Infection occurs when a pathogenic virus or bacterium enters the child's body, namely, into his gastrointestinal tract. There are three major factors that influence the infection of intestinal infections in children:

Carrier people(that is, you can get infected from a sick person, for example, through a kiss or eating one apple for two with him);
Food(you can catch a pathogenic virus or bacterium by eating a poor-quality or stale product);
Water quality(this is the most common and ubiquitous way of spreading intestinal infections - through contaminated water).

Features of the treatment of intestinal infections in children

Prevention of dehydration. Only a few intestinal infections in children are treated with antibiotics. Most pass by themselves, under pressure. immune system the body of the child, which, after a few days, develops the necessary protection against the disease. The task of the child's body is to hold out for these few days. And the most dangerous risk at this time for the child is by no means the activity harmful germs or bacteria, but banal dehydration.

If parents know exactly how to protect the child's body from dehydration, their baby is not afraid of almost no intestinal infection.

How and what to drink a child during an intestinal infection, we will tell a little lower and as detailed as possible.

Fighting high temperatures. We are accustomed to believing that an elevated body temperature in a child, for example, with ARVI, does not need to be brought down if it has not gone beyond 38 ° C. However, in the case of intestinal infections in children. Basically, precisely because the heat provokes significant fluid loss by the body, namely dehydration is especially dangerous for intestinal infections in children.

If a child has an intestinal infection accompanied by an increase in body temperature, he must be given an antipyretic to avoid dehydration and intoxication of the body. But besides this, it is extremely important to constantly water the child.

Remember: the higher the baby's body temperature during an intestinal infection, the more intensively it needs to be watered!

Treatment of intestinal infections in children with antibiotics. We have already mentioned that only a small percentage of intestinal infections require the use of antimicrobial agents. Moreover, the use of antibiotics for intestinal infections is strictly regulated by WHO.

So, indications for the use of antibiotics for intestinal infections in children, approved by the World Health Organization:

Only in these three cases, the use of antibiotics for intestinal infection in a child is justified and effective. In all other cases, antimicrobial therapy is practically meaningless and unfounded.

Treatment of intestinal infections in children using sorbents. There is some reason in the use of sorbents (special drugs that can selectively absorb most poisons, toxins and other harmful substances) is present with intestinal infections - they really, thanks to their absorbing ability, can rid the body of an excess of toxins, gases and other "harmful things".

Alas, WHO does not have any instructions on the use of sorbents for intestinal infections in children (since there is no direct evidence for the advisability of using such drugs yet). However, many practicing pediatricians believe that the use of sorbents really helps to some extent protect the child's body from dehydration and intoxication during intestinal infections. There is no consensus yet, but in any case, no one has yet been able to prove that the use of sorbents is clearly harmful to the body.

Famous pediatrician, Dr. E. O. Komarovsky: "Moderate efficiency of the use of sorbents in intestinal infections in children is definitely present"

How and how to solder a child during vomiting and diarrhea with intestinal infections

by the most the best drugs for a speedy recovery physiological norms body fluids are oral rehydration agents. These include drugs such as: Regidron, Humana Electrolyte, Orasan, Gastrolit, Maratonic and others.

These drugs are effective against any dehydration and are useful for any infections, not only intestinal ones. But there is a nuance!

If, for example, with SARS, the child loses fluid from fever and at the same time flatly refuses to drink a salty (to tell the truth, frankly tasteless) solution, you may well offer him a much more delicious tea, compote or fruit drink.

However, with intestinal infections, such a “trick” will not work: in order to restore the vital water-salt balance of the child’s body, he will have to replenish fluid losses precisely with the help of saline solutions. Because it is the loss of salts during intestinal infections that is especially large and most dangerous.

If for any reason you are unable to purchase pharmaceutical products for oral rehydration extreme cases a similar solution can be prepared independently (the recipe is recommended by WHO). This will require:

1 liter of water
2 tbsp. spoons of sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

All ingredients must be thoroughly mixed - and now the solution is ready for use. But before giving it to a child, it is necessary to heat the solution to the child's body temperature (that is, if the baby has a body temperature of 36.6 ° C, the solution must also be heated to 36.6 ° C, and if the child has 38 ° C, then the solution should be heated to 38 ° C). What is it for? It's simple - the rate of absorption of fluid into the blood becomes maximum only when the temperature of the fluid is compared with body temperature.

Dr. Komarovsky: “If you manage to effectively and timely replenish fluid loss in a child with an intestinal infection, then with a probability of 90% it will go away on its own in 4-5 days, without any drug therapy”

How and what to feed a child with an intestinal infection

It is quite obvious that almost any food against the background of any intestinal infection (and especially meat products, dairy products, etc.) significantly worsens the course of the disease. This is due to the fact that during the course of an intestinal infection (and for some time after recovery), the enzymatic activity in the child's gastrointestinal tract is sharply reduced.

Therefore, theoretically, ideally, a child with an intestinal infection, in the name of his speedy recovery, should be "planted" on a 1-2-day fast, or at least on a strict diet with a lot of restrictions.

Meanwhile, far from all children, and even more so - far from all parents are ready (not only morally, but also physically!) To endure this " therapeutic fasting". In this regard, WHO recommendations insist that a child during an intestinal infection can be fed almost exactly the same as before infection. And this is especially true for children with low body weight - it is generally catastrophically dangerous for them to starve or “fast” during the course of an intestinal infection.

However, if your child has a normal body weight, then it is very useful to transfer him to liquid during illness. vegetarian diet(that is, the diet should consist mainly of liquid dishes based on cereals and vegetables).

How to feed a baby immediately after an intestinal infection

Recall: during most intestinal infections, a child develops a temporary enzymatic deficiency - that is, the activity of enzymes for some time is significantly reduced. But more than that - this insufficiency persists for some time after the illness. This is extremely important to consider when compiling a menu for a recovering child.

The situation often develops as follows: the baby recovers from an intestinal infection, his condition improves and his appetite wakes up. And now parents (and especially grandmothers) joyfully put food on the table, as in that famous film - “fatter and thicker”. But physiologically, the child's body is not yet ready for such feasts - it simply does not have the enzymes to digest such a meal. And now the under-digested food enters the intestines, where it begins to ferment and rot, becoming new reason Besides that .

Therefore, it is extremely important in the first days after an intestinal infection to restrain the appetite of a recovering child in every possible way - do not feed him fatty and “heavy” food, but extend the “healing” diet (cereal cereals on water, vegetable soups, fruit purees, biscuits and cookies) for another 5 -7 days until enzymatic activity is fully restored.

However, there is a second solution to this problem - for some time you can give a child recovering from an intestinal infection, special enzymes. However, most pediatricians still believe that a prolonged diet is preferable to the use of pharmacy enzymes.

Alas, the vast majority of intestinal infections human body not able to develop long-term and lasting immunity. In other words, a child can get intestinal infections as often as. That is why it is very important to know how to behave properly while your child is sick with an intestinal infection.

Recall the basic rules:

1 Actively drink with special solutions that restore water-salt balance;
2 Feed on a light diet that excludes animal products;
3 Follow the diet for about one week after recovery.

These are simple but very effective measures help your child survive a gut infection in as little as 4-5 days by allowing their immune system to quickly build up powerful protection. And at the same time, he does not need any additional medicinal help. You will be surprised, but over 90% of cases of all intestinal infections are treated in this way - without drugs, but with plenty of fluids and a special diet!

The appearance of symptoms of an illness in a child makes parents worry and not sleep at night. A viral infection in children is a group of diseases that have similar symptoms, the most common of which is high fever. Why, if you feel unwell, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician, what symptoms accompany the process, features of treatment in different ages- information useful not only for mothers.

SARS - what is it

This group of diseases is characterized by inflammation. respiratory tract. Infection is provoked by viruses that get from infected people. The smallest microorganisms can live only in living cells, forcing them to synthesize their own kind. The development of the disease depends on the state of the protective forces:

With a strong immune system, the body, having detected the antigen, begins to produce antibodies that destroy the foreign substance.
With weakened protection, viruses spread rapidly, causing an infection that can last up to a week and a half.

Children are more often at risk, which is associated with a weak immune system. The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets through the nasopharynx, nose, mucous membrane of the eyes, digestive tract, less often - in a contact-household way. It multiplies in the nasal cavity of the patient. Infection of others occurs when the liquid secret:

released when sneezing;
released into the air when coughing;
remains on the patient's clothes, hygiene items;
extends to the surroundings.

The development of OVRI has the following features:

the newborn receives immunity to viruses from the mother, so ARVI is rare at this age;
the introduction of complementary foods at 6 months can provoke the development enterovirus infection;
a grown-up baby is not able to wash his hands on his own, cover himself while sneezing and coughing and becomes a source of infection in the children's team.

Symptoms

When the first signs appear, you should immediately call a doctor. It is important to know that ARVI has symptoms depending on the pathogen. For all types of diseases, an increase in temperature is characteristic. Known types of infections:

adenovirus - affects the mucous membranes of the pharynx, eyes, causes intoxication of the body;
respiratory syncytial - provokes shortness of breath, coughing fits, wet rales, loose stools.

There are infectious viral diseases with the following symptoms:

measles - accompanied by a rash on the body, photophobia, headache, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, eyes;
rotavirus - intestinal flu- characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, cough, runny nose;
rubella - a contagious disease with the appearance of a rash, inflammation of the lymph nodes;
chickenpox - characterized by rashes, vomiting, liquid stool;
mumps - acute infection, striking salivary glands, accompanied by pain when swallowing, a strong separation of saliva.

When a baby falls ill, one can observe that he does not fall asleep or, on the contrary, sleeps for a very long time. With a viral infection, the temperature will rise, which helps to resist the causative agent of the disease. In children under one year old, it is noted:

tearfulness;
anxiety;
capriciousness;
refusal to eat;
stool disorder;
runny nose;
enlargement of the spleen, lymph nodes;
dry cough;
eye redness;
lacrimation;
development of conjunctivitis.

Pediatricians note changes in symptoms in infants with viral diseases, depending on age:

per month - anxiety when sucking, caused by difficult nasal breathing, repulsion of the bottle, breast during feeding;
at 2 months - lethargy, apathy, shortness of breath with wheezing, cyanosis of the face;
in three - problems with swallowing, nasal breathing.

As the baby grows older, you can observe:

at four months - an increase in the spleen, lymph nodes, damage to the nasopharynx, bronchi, accompanied by cough, mucous secretions;
at six - signs of inflammation of the respiratory tract, a runny nose appears, after the introduction of complementary foods - stool disorder, the stomach may hurt, accompanied by vomiting;
up to a year - a complication of croup is not excluded - swelling of the larynx, suffocation, requiring emergency care.

signs

When three days have passed since the first signs appeared infection there is a change in symptoms. More pronounced manifestations of the disease are observed:

severe sore throat;
appears moist cough;
increased fatigue;
runny nose intensifies;
becomes hoarse voice;
there is fever, chills;
the temperature rises sharply.

SARS are accompanied by the appearance of:

muscle pain;
aches in the joints;
ailments;
eye redness;
headache;
apathy;
weaknesses;
loss of appetite;
diarrhea - with intestinal infection;
enlargement of the lymph nodes;
secretion of a large amount of mucus;
nausea;
vomiting;
secondary bacterial infection as a result of reduced immunity.

First signs

The period before the onset of symptoms of infection can be three days. It is important to call a pediatrician in a timely manner in order to deal with the causative agent of ARVI, make the correct diagnosis and begin treatment. The disease develops very quickly, begins with damage to the respiratory tract, inflammation of the larynx, swelling of the nasal mucosa. It also appears:

dry cough;
runny nose;
sore throat;
feeling of ache in the body;
fever;
chills;
high temperature;
redness of the eyes;
lacrimation;
weakness;
vomiting.

The difference between a viral infection and a bacterial one

Calling a doctor is required when children have symptoms of a cold. He will be able to distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral one. Diseases have similar symptoms, but require their own methods of treatment. Viruses are characterized by:

the pathogen enters the cell, forcing it to work for itself, producing copies;
microorganisms act selectively - with hepatitis, the virus affects only the liver, with influenza - the mucous membranes of the trachea, bronchi, with angina - the larynx;
the first symptoms appear after three days;
the disease begins with fever, signs of tonsillitis, rhinitis.

For the development of a bacterial infection, any place in the body is suitable where you can find food and multiply conveniently - in the intestines, lungs, on the bones, skin. Diseases are:

slow start - incubation period lasts up to two weeks;
a clear expression of the site of the lesion;
an increase in temperature for several days;
longer duration of the disease;
dark discharge from the nose;
the presence of white spots in the throat.

SARS treatment

Although one of the main symptoms of an infectious lesion is a high temperature, pediatricians do not recommend reducing it. In such a situation, the body independently fights the pathogens. With SARS, doctors recommend:

compliance bed rest;
regular ventilation of the room;
rinsing the nose with a solution sea salt;
drink plenty of fluids to remove from the body through the kidneys the waste products of microorganisms that provoke intoxication.

To eliminate the symptoms of SARS, prescribe:

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling, eliminate pain, relieve inflammation;
antihistamines for nasal congestion;
cough medicines;
means for liquefying sputum;
vasodilating drops from the common cold;
gargling with a solution of soda, decoctions medicinal herbs;
vitamin complexes;
immunostimulants.

Therapy regimen

It is very important that the treatment for ARVI in children is prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the type of pathogen. You need to know that antibiotics are used only in case of complications. There are standards of treatment for infection with viruses. The main task is to eliminate the symptoms, remove the intoxication of the body. For this apply:

a large number of warm drink - fruit drink from cranberries, decoctions of herbs;
administration of glucose.

To cope with the disease short time appoint:

antiviral drugs;
antipyretics in the form rectal suppositories, syrups for children;
antitussive chewing plates;
rubbing chest camphor alcohol, warming creams;
if necessary, the use of compresses, mustard plasters;
defense enhancing agents.

Preparations

In the treatment of SARS, drugs are used. All drugs are prescribed by a pediatrician, taking into account contraindications. Recommended to use:

Paracetamol is an antipyretic, has low toxicity, is produced in the form of a syrup;
Ibuprofen - a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, relieves pain, swelling, is prescribed taking into account the weight of the child;
Tavegil - antihistamine, eliminates the symptoms of a runny nose, relieves allergic reactions, has contraindications;
IRS-19 - improves immunity.

Antiviral

The effect of these medicines based on the inhibition of the entry of the virus into the cells, stopping its reproduction. For this, drugs that differ in action are used. During treatment viral diseases appoint:

Viburkol - homeopathic remedy, anesthetizes, soothes, allowed for newborns;
Arbidol - recommended from two years old, the dosage is determined by the doctor, used with caution in diseases of the kidneys, liver;
Viferon - stimulates the production of interferon, candles are used from 1 month;
Imudon - increases immunity in the throat during resorption.

Antipyretic

The appointment of drugs that reduce the temperature should be carried out by a pediatrician, taking into account the age and indications of the thermometer. It is important to give the body the opportunity to cope with the disease on its own. Recommended antipyretic drugs:

Paracetamol - suppositories, suspension, eliminate the symptoms of intoxication, relieve inflammation;
Panadol - suppositories, used from three months, relieve pain;
Nemisulide is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, allowed from the age of 12, there are contraindications.

Treatment of children under 1 year

In case of an illness in the baby, it is urgent to call a doctor. The child should not be wrapped up, it is important to maintain a temperature of 20 degrees in the room, to carry out ventilation. Features of the treatment of babies:

plentiful drink to remove toxins, with diarrhea to replenish fluid loss - Regidron;
with nasal congestion instillation vasoconstrictor drops into the nose;
the use of antipyretic suppositories at temperatures above 38 degrees;
immunostimulant - nose drops Grippferon;
from six months when coughing - Dr. Mom syrup.

Complications

It is very important that the baby does not carry a viral infection on his feet. Treatment should be carried out before full recovery, to avoid dangerous consequences. After a severe, protracted illness, severe intoxication of the body, complications may appear:

acute stenosis of the larynx - false croup;
hemorrhagic syndrome;
infections urinary tract;
pneumonia;
otitis media;
bronchitis;
arthritis;
sinusitis;
sinusitis;
frontitis;
bronchiolitis;
meningitis;
myocarditis;
pancreatitis;
septicopyemia;
meningoencephalitis;
cholangitis;
convulsive syndromes.

Prevention

Childhood viral infections can affect a child several times a year. To prevent their development, it is necessary to take preventive measures. The main tasks are to increase immunity and body resistance. To solve them you need:

hardening - outdoor games, cool showers, dousing, swimming in the pool;
the use of vegetables, fruits to stabilize digestion, support intestinal microflora;
stool regulation;
organization good sleep and rest.

Means to increase the body's defenses will help increase the body's resistance:

vitamin complexes Veroton, Complivit;
vitamin C;
B vitamins;
rosehip syrup;
tea with lemon, honey;
drops of Dr. Thais;
immunomodulators - IRS-19, Immunal;
tincture of aralia;
Geksoral in drops;
decoctions medicinal plants- chamomile flowers, calendula, mint leaves.

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Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give recommendations for treatment based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

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Intestinal infections are common in children. Symptoms and treatment should not be left unattended by a doctor, as children quickly develop dehydration.

For many years, one of the urgent problems of pediatrics has been intestinal infection in children, the symptoms and treatment of which should be known to every parent. After ARVI, infections affecting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) occupy one of the leading lines in the structure of morbidity in children.

All OKIs (acute intestinal infections) are characterized as intoxication with elevated temperature body, damage to the digestive tract and the development of dehydration (dehydration) due to pathological losses liquids.

In children, intestinal infections are mostly - acute diseases infectious nature, which and / or viruses. Susceptibility to AII pathogens in childhood significantly higher (2.5–3 times) than in adults.

Every year, sporadic outbreaks are recorded that provoke intestinal infections. The high likelihood of AII in a child is due to immaturity defense mechanisms, unstable microbial flora in babies (especially premature babies), frequent contacts in closed groups (kindergartens, nurseries, schools), neglect of hygiene.

The variety of pathogens that cause intestinal infections in childhood causes a large number clinical signs and methods of treatment in which tablets, solutions, syrups, suppositories are used. This all dictates the need for each parent to understand this topic in more detail.

Symptoms of intestinal infections in childhood

Any AII is accompanied by fever, impaired general well-being, diarrhea and vomiting. The loss of water as a result of these manifestations of the disease can lead to severe dehydration. High lack of fluid in the body small child and to this day is the cause of death from intestinal infections. There are many microbes that can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract, the main diseases that they contribute to are discussed below.

Dysentery

This intestinal infection is caused by bacteria of the genus Shigella (shigellosis). The pathogen enters the child's body from unwashed hands, household items and toys. The frequency of occurrence in the pediatric population is quite high.

The characteristic features of dysentery are as follows:

the incubation period of the pathogen (the time from infection to the appearance of the clinic) is 1-7 days;
high fever (up to 40°C);
severe intoxication (weakness, chills, lack of appetite, headaches);
in severe cases, loss of consciousness and convulsions, delusional states are possible;
vomiting is a non-permanent symptom;
pains are cramping, localized in the lower abdomen;
the frequency of bowel movements per day from 4 to 20 times;
tenesmus ( false urges to a bowel movement);
stools of a liquid consistency, with cloudy mucus, blood streaks;
with the course of the disease, fecal masses become scarce and take on the form of "rectal spitting".

salmonellosis

This disease affects children of any age, its occurrence in infants is most dangerous. Salmonella infection is possible by eating milk, meat, eggs, by contact with objects contaminated with the feces of a sick person (furniture, toys, towel, pot).

Main clinical manifestations salmonella are different.

It begins acutely with the appearance of a feverish state.
Vomiting may be repeated.
Rumbling in right iliac region.
Pain is localized depending on the level of the pathological process, in any part of the abdomen.
When the stomach is damaged, gastritis develops, small intestine- enteritis, thick - colitis, there may be a combination of these forms.
Pronounced intoxication.
Reactive enlargement of the liver, spleen (hepatosplenomegaly).
Fecal masses are liquid, with mucus, greens, sometimes with streaks of blood, watery (like “swamp mud”, “frog spawn”).

Escherichiosis

A group of infections that are caused various types coli. Most often occurs in children of the first 3 years. The incidence of this infection increases in the summer. Allocate the following types escherichiosis (depending on microbiological properties): enteropathogenic, enterotoxic and enteroinvasive.

Symptoms characteristic of infections caused by coli, such:

intoxication syndrome (decreased appetite, lethargy, headache, weakness);
fever to febrile numbers;
vomiting is not repeated, but persistent, in infants - regurgitation;
pronounced bloating;
diarrhea of a watery nature;
stool yellow-orange, splashing, with mucus - hallmark escherichiosis;
dehydration (exicosis), which is very difficult to treat.

Clinical manifestations that indicate the development of exicosis:

dry skin, visible mucous membranes (the spatula sticks to the tongue);
sunken and dry eyes;
crying without tears;
decrease in turgor (elasticity) of tissues, skin elasticity;
a large fontanel in infants sinks;
decreased diuresis (urination).

Rotavirus infection

A viral infection that occurs more often in winter. It is transmitted through the use of contaminated dairy products, water, contact with patients.

The symptoms that rotovirus intestinal infection causes in children are as follows:

the incubation period lasts for 1–3 days;
pronounced syndrome of intoxication and rise in temperature;
the disease proceeds in the form of gastroenteritis;
catarrhal phenomena (hyperemia of the tissues of the pharynx, runny nose, sore throat);
repeated vomiting is a mandatory symptom in rotovirus;
stools are watery and frothy, persist for a long time during treatment;
the frequency of bowel movements reaches 15 per day.

Treatment of acute intestinal infections in childhood

As usual, children should begin with routine activities and organizing a treatment table. Medications(tablets, suppositories, solutions, suspensions) and the ways of their introduction into the body are selected depending on the age and severity of the condition.

At mild form the course of the disease, it is necessary to begin treatment with the establishment of a semi-bed rest, with moderate - bed rest, and with the development of dehydration - strict bed rest for the entire period until rehydration (replenishment of lost fluid) continues.

The nutrition of the child is based on a milk-vegetarian diet, with the exception of rotavirus infection where the consumption of milk is prohibited.

Portions are small, the frequency of eating increases up to 6 times. The food is mechanically and chemically gentle. Infants should receive breast milk or an adapted milk formula (preferably lactose-free). Complementary foods are not introduced during the period of illness.

It is very important for the prevention of dehydration to give water to the child. Drinking should be plentiful, in temperature close to body temperature. You need to offer liquid in small sips (a teaspoonful), often. It is important not to give large volumes at once, as this will lead to overdistension of the stomach and provoke vomiting. You can drink sweet weak tea, compote, decoction of raisins, slightly alkaline mineral water without gas.

Main directions drug therapy OKI.

Rehydration (oral - through the mouth) with glucose-salt solutions (Regidron, Citroglucosolan, Hydrovit) should begin with the appearance of the first symptoms.
when installed bacterial pathogen(Ampicillin, Ceftriaxone, Gentamicin, Erythromycin).
Enterosorbents - enveloping the intestinal mucosa and removing toxic substances and pathogenic microbes with stool(Smecta, Enterosgel, Polyphepan). These drugs, along with rehydration, should form the bulk of the treatment.
At a high temperature, antipyretic drugs are prescribed necessarily for any indicators, since fever contributes to an even greater loss of fluid (syrup and suppositories with ibuprofen can be alternated with Paracetamol).
Antispasmodic therapy is designed to relieve spasm from the smooth muscles of the intestine and relieve pain (No-shpa, Papaverine suppositories for children older than six months).
A complex remedy containing immunoglobulin and interferon - Kipferon suppositories for children.

From efficiency medical measures depends on how many days the illness lasts and how quickly the symptoms go away. In children, treatment should be comprehensive and carried out under the supervision of a doctor, especially in babies of the first years of life.

Causes of AII in children

All childhood intestinal infections are highly contagious and, if ingested by a baby, are likely to cause pathological processes. But still, there are predisposing factors that increase the chances of a child getting sick, these are:

chronic pathologies of the digestive tract that a child may suffer from;
reduction of local and general defensive forces;
prematurity (determines the tendency to infections);
lack of breastfeeding;
lack of care and poor hygiene habits;
intestinal dysbacteriosis;
visiting places large cluster children.

The main causes of AII in childhood are presented below.

Gram-negative enterobacteria - affecting the gastrointestinal tract (Shigella, Campylobacter, Escherichia, Salmonella, Yersinia).
Conditionally pathogenic flora that lives in the intestines and disease-causing only if the balance of the intestinal biocenosis is disturbed (Klebsiella, Proteus and Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium).
Viral agents (rota-, entero-, adenoviruses).
Protozoa (giardia, coccidia, amoeba).
Fungal pathogens (Candida, Aspergillus).

Carriers and excretors of pathogens of intestinal infections can be: pets, insects (flies, cockroaches), a sick person with an erased form of the disease or with clear signs diseases.

Harmful microbes can enter the child's body by fecal-oral (the infectious agent enters through water, food, unwashed hands) and contact-household (use of contaminated utensils, household items, toys) ways.

In childhood, endogenous (internal) infection with opportunistic bacteria often occurs, which are typical representatives intestinal microbiocenosis.

Any sickness of the child serious reason to worry parents. If you experience symptoms that indicate damage to the gastrointestinal tract, you should always consult with your doctor. Only by establishing the correct cause of the disease can effective treatment begin. Therapy should continue until the symptoms that cause dehydration begin to subside.

acute intestinal infection (AII)

When infectious agents enter the child's body, this leads to malfunctions digestive system and inflammatory process on the gastrointestinal mucosa. What happens next? Appear typical symptoms: fever, lack of appetite, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, weakness. Not always these signs are found in the complex. Sometimes there may be only diarrhea, without vomiting and fever. Treatment of intestinal infection in children depends on the type of pathogen, the severity of the disease, age, individual characteristics of the organism.

Acute intestinal infections (AII)

According to studies by the World Health Organization (WHO), over 30 diseases with various types of pathogens belong to AII in children and adults.

How do acute intestinal infections in children differ from ordinary intestinal infections? Acute current illness, more severe symptoms- high fever, vomiting, general weakness, serious condition little patient. But main feature OKI - acute diarrhea and severe intoxication. Treatment of acute intestinal infections in children is primarily aimed at eliminating these two signs in order to avoid dehydration, that is, dehydration of the body.

Bacterial OKI

Incubation period. Can last from 6 hours to 10 days depending on the species pathogenic bacteria. The average time is 3 days. A short incubation period is characteristic of salmonellosis and various coccal infections.
Symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, fever (up to 39°C), rapid intoxication and loss of body fluids, headache, possible muscle and joint pain. There is also a severe form of diarrhea, cramping pain in the abdomen, blood in the stool (most often with dysentery), mucus or pus.

Viral OKI

In children, viral AII often occur against the background of SARS. They usually heal quickly, within 3 days.

The most common are amoebiasis and giardiasis. Amebiasis is a disease of the subtropics and tropics, that is, it has an endemic (local) character. But also found in southern regions Russia. It happens in countries with a temperate climate, in places where sanitary and hygienic standards are violated. AT European countries amoebiasis can be brought by tourists, refugees, migrants. Children can "pick up" this ailment after 5 years. Giardiasis, on the contrary, for Russia is a typical intestinal infection.

Incubation period for amoebiasis. From 1 week to 4 months.
Symptoms of amoebiasis. High fever, bloody, profuse (profuse, severe) diarrhea, sharp pain in a stomach. Against the background of the disease, complications may occur: damage to the liver, large intestine, lungs, brain.
Incubation period for giardiasis. The average time is two weeks.
Symptoms of giardiasis. Acute enteritis develops (inflammation of the small intestine). Enteritis symptoms: nausea, vomiting, watery yellow diarrhea, temperature, flatulence, colic, pain in the middle part of the abdomen or right hypochondrium, with severe forms severe intoxication, dehydration. Convulsions, complications from the heart and blood vessels, anemia, loss of appetite may occur. Also, children may have respiratory problems and nervous system(fears, restless sleep).

The severity of an intestinal infection is not always determined by the pathogen. By the way, only a doctor can install it after reading the tests. Severe course ACI is also independent of frequency, stool consistency, frequency of vomiting, or high temperature. The severity of AII in children is determined by the degree of fluid loss. The signal to act and seek emergency help is precisely the symptom of severe dehydration.

Features of the disease in infants

Symptoms of intestinal infection in infants are the same as in older children. The baby cannot talk about pain and discomfort. Therefore, it is important to observe changes in his behavior - these may be the first harbingers of AII.

Anxiety . The baby cries, does not calm down in the usual ways, does not sleep well, twists its legs and presses them to the stomach.
Refusal to eat or poor appetite . alarm signal. Especially when after each feeding the baby not only burps, but also vomits.
Bloating. Flatulence and colic disturb about 70% of infants. With intestinal infections, these manifestations intensify.
Vomit . A frequent, but not obligatory symptom in intestinal infections. Its repetition should be alert, the duration, when the baby cannot eat, you have to skip feedings.
Temperature . It can rise slightly - up to 37.5. May jump to 39 or higher with AII. Temperature, like vomiting, in young children should be under medical supervision.
Diarrhea. The child's stool becomes more frequent, becomes watery. It may contain impurities of mucus, foam, streaks of blood, undigested food.

If the baby has persistent diarrhea and frequent vomiting symptoms of dehydration may appear:

weakness and lethargy;
lack of tears when crying;
no urine for 4-6 hours;
sunken eyes, fontanel;
the skin is dry and tight;
lack of saliva, dry oral mucosa.

Weight loss and dehydration of babies occurs in a matter of hours, which can be dangerous not only for health, but also for the life of the baby. At the first sign of dehydration, you should immediately seek medical help.

5 important principles for treating children

How to treat an intestinal infection in children at home? Whatever the severity of AII, there are several important rules that all parents should be aware of. It is important to watch general condition child, monitor the frequency of urination and the color of urine.

Seeking medical help

Diarrhea in an infant.
Severe, paroxysmal pain in the abdomen.
Severe vomiting when there is no way to water the baby.
The color of urine is dark.
There is blood in the stool.
Scanty urination, no urine for about 6 hours.
Sunken eyes, dry skin, mucous membranes.
Heat.

What examination and treatment can the doctor prescribe

First, the doctor needs to make a diagnosis. And to do this with a variety of intestinal infections is not so easy. Symptoms for different pathogens are similar, and the treatment of intestinal infections in children is complicated precisely for this reason. Let's say an experienced doctor can easily determine the symptoms of dysentery or cholera only by outward signs. But most often the final diagnosis can be established after passing the tests.

Analyzes. Blood, urine, feces, vomiting, foods that the child ate are examined. If a specific pathogen is detected, adequate treatment is prescribed.
Antibiotics. Their use is advisable only for bacterial intestinal infections. The antibiotic is prescribed depending on the bacterial pathogen.
bacteriophages or phages. A group of viruses that infect specific bacteria. Treatment with bacteriophages is an alternative to antibiotics. For example, there are dysenteric, streptococcal, staphylococcal, salmonella bacteriophages, etc.
Probiotics. Group beneficial bacteria that restore balance in the intestinal microflora.
Enzymes. To help the digestive system during and after illness, a course of enzyme therapy is prescribed.

It happens that during scheduled examinations - before visiting kindergarten, schools - in the analyzes of the child they find some kind of “terrible” pathogen (for example, E. coli or dysentery), but the baby feels great, he has no vomiting, no diarrhea, no temperature. This suggests that the child is a carrier of the disease. It is contraindicated for him to communicate with the children's team until he will pass the course treatment.

When hospitalization is indicated

The disease is severe and is accompanied by profuse diarrhea, severe vomiting and high fever.
Neurological disorders: delirium, loss of consciousness, convulsions.
Sudden weight loss and acute dehydration. In the hospital, fluids and salts are given intravenously to quickly replace the loss. In medicine, this is called infusion therapy.

With a suspected diagnosis of AII, they are hospitalized in an infectious diseases hospital.

Prevention: 8 important rules

Prevention of intestinal infections in children is to eliminate the causes and factors that can cause AII.

Children should be under close supervision. infancy. The immune system of the baby is just being formed, the digestive system is immature, infection occurs faster, and acute intestinal infections are much more difficult.

Nutrition for intestinal infections

How to feed a child with an intestinal infection? You need to fulfill the following requirements:

type of cooking: only boiled or steamed food;
consistency: ground, crushed;
shown protein food, dairy products;
fatty, carbohydrate, salty, spicy foods are excluded or limited;
eating only warm;
increase in the frequency of reception: up to 6 times.

What can you drink

In addition to electrolyte solutions, a child can and should be offered compotes from dried fruits (preferably from a pear) and raisins, jelly from dried berries(better from blueberries), weak green tea, a decoction of chamomile. Alkaline non-carbonated water is also suitable.

What can you eat

After a hungry pause, when intoxication decreases and the baby has an appetite, you can offer the following dishes:

skim cheese;
steam cutlets, meatballs, meatballs from rabbit, turkey, veal, low-fat fish;
steamed omelet;
cereal soups;
soups on a weak low-fat broth;
cereals on the water (preferably rice, oatmeal, buckwheat);
fermented milk products (kefir, biokefir, acidophilic mixtures) to normalize the intestinal microflora.

What to feed a child after an intestinal infection? Not donuts, not sweets and not sausages! No matter how the child asks, you need to wait a little with the "sweets". What are the requirements of doctors?

Do not overfeed the baby.
Exclude fried, salty, smoked, fatty, spicy, sweet.
Continue to feed often and in small portions.
Help the digestive system with enzymes when needed.
The diet should contain a lot of pectin, which cleanses the intestines well of the remaining toxins. Therefore, boiled vegetables and baked fruits (especially apples) should be offered.
Fresh fruits, berries and vegetables are introduced gradually, in small portions.

The duration of the diet is prescribed by the doctor. It can last from 5 days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the disease.

Signs of an intestinal infection in a child may appear with varying degrees. With mild forms of illness, the baby can sit on the potty for two days, but at the same time be in good mood, have a good appetite. With moderate and severe forms of AII, the baby needs urgent medical help, with acute forms intoxication and dehydration - hospitalization.

Children's diseases gastrointestinal tract are infectious. Children's body by virtue of different reasons(imperfection of the immune system, non-compliance with personal hygiene procedures) is subject to many infectious diseases. separate group are the defeat of the gastrointestinal tract by microorganisms of various origins.

The causative agent can be pathogenic microflora, represented by:

bacterial group;
group viral infections(rotavirus, adenovirus, enterovirus, coronavirus, reovirus);
fungal infections, mainly fungi of the genus Candida;
intestinal infections of protozoal nature (amebiasis, giardiasis).

The last 2 points refer to conditionally pathogenic microflora, which is not so often the causative agent intestinal diseases, since it is constantly present in a small amount in the human body, releasing enzymes and participating in the digestive process. What cannot be said about bacterial and viral group microorganisms coming from outside and against which a person has no natural protection of immunity.

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