The intestinal influences are rather frequent diseases, which affect all age groups and especially children.
The loss of fluids and electrolytes associated with gastroenteritis can be very dangerous even for the elderly, debilitated or in the presence of concomitant, serious, illnesses. Viruses that cause gastroenteritis, in fact, damage the cells of the intestinal mucosa, with loss of fluids, resulting in liquid diarrhea and poor absorption of nutrients (also the malabsorption of carbohydrates, which causes osmotic diarrhea, can be important).
The main and most feared responsible for intestinal flu are rotaviruses which, as the name suggests, have a typical circular shape, similar to a wheel. It is estimated that at the age of three over 95% of children have suffered at least an episode of viral gastroenteritis sustained by rotavirus. Infection is quite rare under 6 months, probably due to the protection conferred by the maternal antibodies (IgG) transmitted by the placenta and by the IgA contained in breast milk.
There are different serotypes of rotavirus, divided into three groups: A, B and C; the child may be infected from time to time by different viral forms, while acquiring a "natural immunity that will protect him from subsequent infections (which will manifest themselves in an attenuated or asymptomatic way). In our latitudes, the peak of infections is recorded in winter; some episodes require hospitalization, while in third world countries serious and even fatal courses are common due to marked dehydration and acidosis. Rotaviruses are also involved in the onset of some forms of traveler's diarrhea; adults can become infected even after close contact with an infected infant; in any case, the disease will generally be mild or even asymptomatic.
Alongside the classic symptoms listed above, those typical of respiratory infections (cough and cold) may appear. The stools, diarrheal, do not contain blood and leukocytes, or only in small quantities, and their examination can be used for a more accurate diagnosis.
The therapy consists in the generous administration of liquids and electrolytes, preferably orally; antidiarrheals are generally not used because, in any case, it is much more important to treat dehydration than diarrhea. It is therefore essential that the parents or caregivers of the child are aware of this need and able to recognize the signs of dehydration: one of the most useful parameters is the comparison of the child's weight with the standard one (mild dehydration: difference <2-3.5%; moderate dehydration: difference between 4 and 6%; severe dehydration: difference ≥ 6%); alternatively or in combination, other objective signs can be evaluated, such as dryness of the mucous membranes, thirst , reduced urine output or a particularly dark color, reduced skin elasticity, increased heart rate, impaired sensory, lack of tears when crying and coldness of the extremities. Obviously, the consultation of the pediatrician is a must whenever an important intestinal flu is suspected (particularly watery diarrhea, high number of bowel movements, high fever, moderate and severe dehydration). In many cases, a glucosaline solution to be purchased at the pharmacy will be recommended for rehydration of the baby. As for the child on a solid diet, it is not necessary to make any dietary changes, except the elimination of foods and drinks rich in simple sugars, such as fruit juices, which can aggravate diarrhea due to their osmotic effect.
The efficacy of oral bacteriotherapy (intake of probiotic lactic ferments) both of a preventive and therapeutic nature has been reported. Since the beginning of 2006 a vaccine has been available capable of protecting, especially the smallest ones, from the attack of the virus; others are in development.
To stem the spread of the disease - which is transmitted mainly by fecal gold, as well as by direct contact - a useful rule is, however, to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
Viruses and etiological agents of the same type are responsible for 40% of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks, often recorded in very crowded places such as schools, recreational centers, campsites, cruise ships, canteens and hospitals; unlike rotaviruses, infectious episodes are distributed more or less uniformly throughout the year. The contagion occurs through the consumption of infected water (also drinkable because the virus is particularly resistant to the disinfectant action of chlorine) and contaminated raw foods (vegetables, oysters, crustaceans, etc.). Unlike the intestinal flu from rotavirus, this type of gastroenteritis tends to spare the little ones to affect children and young adults. Symptoms, generally of a shorter temporary duration, and therapy are comparable to those described for rotavirus infections.- which electively affect children, with a rather long duration of the disease (5-12 days on average, up to over 2 weeks) - and to a lesser extent from strains belonging to the group of caliciviruses and astroviruses. It should also not be forgotten that only about 70% of infectious gastroenteritis is of viral origin, while the remaining 30% has bacterial origins.
Viral gastroenteritis - Medicines for the treatment of intestinal flu
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