Children often get diarrhea. And every time we-parents panic. It is understandable - the child cries, his stomach hurts, the stool is liquid, sometimes he can even fever. What is this attack? It turns out that the "attack" in this case can be different. Diarrhea can be caused by completely different causes. The most dangerous and unpleasant form of this disease is infectious diarrhea. She does not spare even the smallest children, bringing suffering to themselves and their parents. So, what is infectious diarrhea in children and how to deal with it? This question can arise for each of us, and at the most inopportune moment.
The causes of acute infectious diarrhea in children.
- An intestinal infection is a common cause (a medical term for intestinal infection - gastroenteritis)
The virus is a common cause of infectious diarrhea. And, he is not alone. There are several types of viruses, the exact names of which give no special meaning. The main thing to remember is that different viruses are easily transmitted from person to person with close contact or when, for example, an infected person prepares food for others. Especially they are subject to children under five years old.
Food poisoning (contaminated foods) causes some cases of diarrhea. Many different types of bacteria can cause food poisoning. A typical example is salmonella.
The use of water contaminated with bacteria or other pathogens is a common cause of diarrhea, especially in countries with poor sanitation.
- Non-infectious causes of acute diarrhea are rare in children. For example, colitis (inflammation of the intestine), food intolerance and various rare intestinal disorders.
Symptoms of acute infectious diarrhea in children.
Symptoms can range from mild stomach upset for a day or two to severe watery diarrhea for several days or longer. Strong abdominal pains are common. Pain can be relieved for a time every time after going to the toilet. Also, the child may experience vomiting, fever and headache.
Diarrhea often lasts for several days or more. The liquid stool may persist for a week or so before returning to normal. Sometimes the symptoms last longer.
Symptoms of dehydration.
Diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration (lack of fluid in the body). Consult your doctor if you suspect that your child becomes dehydrated. An easy form of dehydration is generally accepted and, as a rule, easily and quickly passes after taking the liquid inside. Severe dehydration can be fatal if left untreated, because the body needs a certain amount of fluid to function.
- Symptoms of dehydration in children include: decrease in the amount of urine, dry mouth and tongue, sunken eyes, weakness, irritability or lethargy.
- Symptoms of acute dehydration in children include drowsiness, pale skin, cold hands and feet, rapid breathing. With such symptoms, emergency medical attention is required!
Dehydration is most likely to occur in:
- Small children - especially at the age of up to six months.
- Any children who do not drink enough for acute diarrhea.
- Any children with severe diarrhea and vomiting.
Treatment of infectious diarrhea in children.
Symptoms can often be resolved within a few days or so, since the immune system usually cleans from infection. The following are the first-aid measures for acute diarrhea:
Liquid. Let your child drink a lot.
The goal is to prevent dehydration or cure dehydration if it has already developed. But remember: if you suspect that your child is dehydrated - you should consult a doctor anyway! The doctor will tell you how much fluid should be given. To prevent dehydration, with diarrhea, your child should drink at least twice as much as he usually drinks during the day. And, in addition, as a guide, be sure to give him a drink after each liquid stool to make up for the level of the lost fluid:
- Children under the age of two years: 50-100 ml (from a quarter to half a glass) of liquid.
- Children aged 2-10 years: 100-200 ml (from half to one glass) of liquid.
- Children of older age: as much fluid as they want, but not less than 200 ml.
If the child is sick, wait 5-10 minutes, and then start giving the drink again, but at a slower rate (for example, a couple of spoons every 2-3 minutes). Nevertheless, the total amount drunk should be even higher.
Rehydration drinks are ideal for diarrhea. They are sold in special bags that can be bought at pharmacies. They can also be obtained by prescription. You just dilute the contents of the sachet of water. Rehydration drinks provide an ideal balance of water, salt and sugar. They are better than simple drinking water. A small amount of sugar and salt allows water to be absorbed better from the intestine into the body. This drink is the best in the prevention or treatment of dehydration. Do not use homemade drinks - the amount of salt and sugar should be accurate! If rehydration drinks are not available for you, just give the child water as the main drink. It is better not to give drinks containing a large amount of sugar. They can increase diarrhea. For example, avoid fruit juices, colas or other carbonated drinks until the diarrhea ceases.
Treatment of dehydration is the first priority. However, if your child is not dehydrated (most cases), or if dehydration has already been eliminated, you can return the child to a normal diet. Do not starve a child with infectious diarrhea! This was once advised even by doctors, but now it is definitely proved that this is the wrong way! So:
- Breastfeed babies should continue to breastfeed if they take it. This is in addition to additional rehydration beverages (described above).
- Feeding babies artificially must receive food as usual, if they accept it. Again, this is in addition to additional rehydration beverages (described above).
- Older children - offer them some food. However, if he or she does not want to eat, it's good. Drinks are the most important, and food intake can be delayed until the appetite is restored.
When you can not take medicine.
You should not give medicines to stop diarrhea in children under the age of 12 years. They are unsafe for children due to possible serious complications. However, you can give paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve fever or headache.
If the symptoms are not serious, or persist for several days or more, the doctor may ask for a sample of stool. He will be sent to the laboratory to see if there is infection with bacteria (bacteria, parasites, etc.). Sometimes you need antibiotics or other types of treatment, depending on the cause of the disease.
Medications and complications.
Complications include the following:
- Dehydration and saline (electrolyte) imbalance in the body. This is the most common complication. It often occurs in a mild form and is soon restored as soon as the baby begins to receive enough fluid. Sometimes, if a child is faced with severe dehydration of the body, it must be placed in the hospital for direct injection of fluid into the vein through a dropper.
- Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is a fairly rare phenomenon. It is a disease that can lead to kidney failure. In most cases, it is caused by intestinal infections caused by bacteria.
- Reactive complications. Rarely other organs "react" to an infection that develops in the intestine. It can cause symptoms such as arthritis, skin inflammation, inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis).
- Spread the infection to other parts of the body. This is a very rare side effect.
- Insufficient nutrition can contribute to the development of some intestinal infections.
- Persistent syndromes of diarrhea can also develop, but extremely rarely.
- Irritable bowel syndrome is sometimes caused by an attack of infectious diarrhea.
You should see a doctor immediately if any of the following symptoms appear. If you are concerned:
- Dehydration of the child's body.
- Blood in the stool.
- Vomiting more than one day or diarrhea, which does not go away after 3-4 days.
- Pain is getting worse.
- Drowsiness or lethargy.
- The possibility of infection in countries far abroad.
Putting a child in a hospital is sometimes necessary if the symptoms are severe or if the complications progress.
Other tips.
If your child has diarrhea, wash hands thoroughly after changing diapers and before preparing food. Ideally, use liquid soap in warm running water, but even a dry soap, all the same, is better than nothing. For older children, if they have infectious diarrhea, the following is recommended:
- Rinse the toilet regularly after each use. In addition, use disinfectants (for example, household bleaches).
- Make sure that children wash their hands after going to the toilet. Ideally, use liquid soap in warm running water. Wipe your hands dry after washing.
- Do not share towels!
- Do not let them help prepare food for others.
- They must stay out of school, nurseries, etc., at least up to 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhea and vomiting.
- They should not bathe in the pools for two weeks after the last episode of diarrhea.
Is it possible to prevent infectious diarrhea?
The recommendations in the previous section are mainly aimed at preventing the spread of infection to other people. But, even when the child is not in contact with strangers, if proper storage, preparation and cooking, good hygiene are provided in the house, all this helps to prevent intestinal infections. In particular, always wash your hands and teach children to do it all the time:
- After visiting the toilet (and after changing diapers).
- Before eating. And also, after processing raw meat. There may be some bacteria.
- After classes gardening.
- After playing with pets (even healthy animals can carry certain harmful bacteria).
A simple measure of washing hands regularly and thoroughly, as is known, significantly reduces the likelihood of developing intestinal infections and diarrhea.
You should also take extra precautions. For example, avoid getting water and other drinks that can not be safe, and do not eat foods without rinsing them with clean running water.
Breastfeeding is also a certain protection. In children who were breastfed, the likelihood of developing infectious diarrhea is much lower compared to infants on artificial feeding.
Vaccinations.
It has already been proven that rotavirus is the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in children. There is an effective vaccine against rotavirus infection. In many countries, vaccination against this virus is mandatory. But this vaccine is a "pleasure" not from cheap ones. Therefore, in our country it can be obtained only in some clinics on a fee basis.