Rotavirus infection is an acute disease,which is most common in children. The main symptoms of the disease are intoxication, dehydration, abnormal gastrointestinal function. Often found in adults, but they have a disease in a lighter form.
Pathogens of the disease
For the first time, agents of rotavirus were detected in1973 year. They got their name as a result of the fact that they look like little wheels. It is interesting that these microorganisms can be grown artificially. For this, cells of green monkeys are used. Human rotaviruses do not pose a danger to animals.
Transmission and course of the disease
The causative agents of the disease can appear only inthe human body. Moreover, they are transmitted only to people, that is, animals will not suffer after contact with the patient. The incubation period of the rotavirus can last up to one week. The infection is transmitted through the oral-fecal mechanism. There is also the possibility of respiratory infection. In hot countries rotavirus, the incubation period of development of which can be individual for each person, occurs all year round. In the temperate climate zone, the disease spreads mainly in the winter.
The disease can affect both adults and children,and the elderly. Sometimes rotavirus proceeds without any symptoms, so it can only be determined by a doctor. Reproduction and accumulation of microorganisms occurs in the upper parts of the stomach. First the inflammation develops in the duodenal epithelium, and then it enters the lumen of the intestine. Because of this, mature cells of the intestine die, replacing with new ones. This causes absorption of nutrient components, which leads to osmotic diarrhea. Many are frightened when they hear the name of this disease - rotavirus. The incubation period in children is the same as in adults - from several hours to a week. But the immunity in children is still weak, so the disease is more acute. There can be a frequent stool, so you should do everything to avoid dehydration of the child's body.
Signs of infection in adults
The incubation period of rotavirus lasts from 15hours to a week. That is, in the beginning, the patient may not have signs of illness. But when it progresses, the symptoms are very acute. Within a day after the onset of the disease, pain in the stomach, nausea and vomiting begin. The patient can also increase cervical lymph nodes. However, one of the most characteristic signs of infection is the defeat of the digestive system.
The patients themselves often confuse such an infection witha common digestive disorder, since both diseases have similar symptoms. However, when the incubation period of the rotavirus is not yet complete, the patient is very contagious to others. This can be dangerous. After all, if in a team someone started the incubation period of rotavirus, then in just a few days the infection will appear among the other members. The disease does not develop only if a person has strong immunity. In liquid discharge there is no mucus or blood, but the stool has an unpleasant odor. In the abdomen there is also a loud rumbling.
Rotavirus without temperature
The incubation period of rotavirus infection cancontinue only a few hours, after which the patient has the first signs of the disease. Although intoxication occurs in about 10% of patients. Much more often the disease runs without temperature. With the help of palpation, you can determine where the abdomen hurts. Soreness in the epigastrium and near the navel signals the development of rotavirus. If the disease is acute, then the amount of urine may decrease, leukocyturia and erythrocyturia appear.
Duration of the disease
The disease usually manifests itself after the fact,as the incubation period is completed. After rotavirus, the patient may need a few more days to recover, since during the period of illness the body could become very weak. The duration of the disease depends on how quickly the diagnosis was made. Usually the symptoms of rotavirus last from 2 to 6 days. Complications are rare, and they appear only in the event that the treatment started untimely. Due to acute diarrhea, dehydration may occur. It is much worse if a secondary bacterial intestinal infection occurs, which causes the rotavirus to deteriorate.
How to treat an infection?
The incubation period of rotavirus can lastonly a few hours. If the disease manifests itself suddenly, not all patients know what to do. Some initially even refuse treatment, while others, on the contrary, begin to take a huge amount of medicines. Nevertheless, no one better than a doctor can answer the question, how correctly to treat the infection? There are two types of treatment: symptomatic and pathogenetic. To prevent intoxication, which rarely appears on the second day after the incubation period of rotavirus infection in adults or children has ended, the doctor assigns sorbents to patients. If the disease is severe, the specialist can inject intravenously glucose with colloidal solutions. Very effective effects have antiviral drugs. Usually treatment includes the same measures, regardless of the incubation period of the rotavirus.
Diet during rotavirus infection
It is very important to observe a diet during illness,due to which the manifestation of gastroenteritis in the body will decrease. This, in turn, will reduce the likelihood of dehydration. For the duration of the disease, it is necessary to completely exclude from the diet dairy products that can cause diarrhea. Food should be boiled or steamed. The greatest attention should be given to the use of liquids. To avoid dehydration, it is advisable to use special solutions sold in the pharmacy. If you can not buy them, then you can make such a composition at home. To do this, take a liter of boiled water and add to it 1-2 teaspoons of salt and 2-3 tablespoons of sugar. You can store such a solution for not more than a day. Diet after the end of the disease should also be lactose-free, to normalize the work of the intestine. Return to the normal diet should be gradual.
Thus, rotavirus can appear in anyrights. It is necessary to start its treatment immediately, since the effectiveness of all the procedures that are performed depends on this. Do not self-medicate, because only the doctor can determine which medications to use.
