According to statistics, among childhood infectious diseases, the most frequent after acute respiratory viral infection are acute intestinal infections, including salmonellosis. In the body of a child, bacteria from the genus Salmonella penetrate through the mouth, and then pass into the stomach. When bacteria enter the body of an adult, they usually die in gastric juice. But in children, especially in very small and weakened, harmful microorganisms pass into the small intestine. There they multiply, and then fall into the blood. When bacteria die, they release a toxin, because of which the body begins to lose water and salt.
Course of the disease
Salmonella develops gradually and at each stage has its own characteristic features. As a rule, at first the child becomes sluggish, his favorite toys cease to interest him, and any sound causes anxiety. The baby eats without appetite or refuses to eat at all. The temperature in the first days of the illness usually remains normal, but the crumb can vomit, he starts to go to the toilet more often (5-6 times a day). Over time, the child's condition becomes worse and worse: the temperature rises to 38 degrees and even higher, the stool becomes liquid, watery, with a greenish tinge. The child goes to the toilet more than 10 times a day, mucus may appear in the bowel movements, sometimes blood veins. Be especially careful if the crumb is dry mouth, and it experiences an unquenchable thirst - this may be the beginning of dehydration. It develops due to the fact that during diarrhea and vomiting the child's body loses a lot of water and salts. In infants, especially newborns or weakened, the disease can last quite a long time - a few weeks, and sometimes months. In addition, in children with poor immunity salmonellosis proceeds in a very severe form, with a high temperature and complications. But in any case, after the illness for a while the child may still be troubled by problems with the intestines and digestion, and in children susceptible to allergic reactions, allergies to certain foods (most often to milk proteins) may worsen. Also periodically, the crumb will be disturbed by pain and bloating in the abdomen, frequent regurgitation, and the stool remains "unstable" for a long time (the so-called alternating constipation and diarrhea).
In our country, veterinary and sanitary-epidemiological services are engaged in the prevention of salmonellosis - they are checking the quality of products that go on sale. But, as you know, it's impossible to follow everything. Therefore, the best way to prevent disease is to provide a healthy lifestyle for the baby, to strengthen the growing body with vitamins and minerals. If you follow simple rules, you can protect the child from salmonella.
- Buy food only in stores that you trust. Avoid buying eggs and meat in spontaneous markets.
- Do not hesitate to ask sellers to produce documents that confirm the quality and safety of the products.
- Do not offer the kid an omelette and soft-boiled eggs, and even more so - raw eggs. Do not let your child drink unboiled fresh milk and tap water.
- Observe the rules for storing food in your home refrigerator, do not keep meat and eggs next to food that you eat without heat treatment.
- Observe the basic rules of hygiene. It is important to keep the house clean, carefully treat all surfaces with disinfectants.
- Protect the baby from communicating with "unfamiliar" animals and watch the health of your pet.
- Watch for the cleanliness of nipples and crumb toys, as well as various items of care - sterilize them as often as possible. And do not forget to wash your hands thoroughly before communicating with the baby.
Now we know how much Salmonella can be dangerous in infants.