Rotavirus is an intestinal infection caused by the Reoviridae virus, the main symptoms of which are disorders digestive tract. The disease occurs in both adults and children, and its incubation period is from 1 to 7 days. The way rotavirus is transmitted was first discovered by Australian scientists in 1973.

This is the most common intestinal infection, which infects almost half of children under the age of three years, so it requires timely treatment. Its transmission occurs by airborne droplets, so the infection is referred to as “dirty hands” diseases. However, rotavirus is distributed almost everywhere, and it can be detected even in infants.

The following factors cause rotavirus:

• Contact with an infected person undergoing treatment;
• Use of virus infected tap water.

During pregnancy, in order to prevent infection, it is recommended that a woman not contact with patients, as well as follow a diet, use only steamed products, and clean boiled water.

Rotavirus is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, in which infection from dirty hands enters the mouth. In most cases, it is first detected in children attending pre-school educational institutions and kindergartens. Incubation period  ranges from 15 hours to 7 days, and after each illness the immunity develops.

Treatment of viral gastroenteritis of various etiologies is not significantly different, depending on the severity of the disease. There is no causal treatment, so treatment is a crucial step in rehydration. Adequate fluids should be used to cover both basic fluid requirements, and dietary, emetic, and sweaty losses. The need for basal fluid decreases with age, the highest in infants and young children, in older children and adults lower.

Oral rehydration is usually required for moderate to moderate dehydration, in infants and young children under 2 years of age we can use a permanent non-carbonated tube in case of loss of appetite and low fluid intake and rehydration.

Company viral infection  in adults and children begins acutely and has signs of gastroenteritis and enteritis. In the early hours of the disease, a high rise in temperature, nausea and vomiting, as well as severe weakness and indisposition, are noted. There are other signs during the period of infection:

• Abdominal distention;
• Strong gas formation;
• Pain in the abdomen;
• Loose stools with admixture of foam or mucus;
• Rumbling and intestinal colic;
• Temperature increase up to 40 degrees;
• Chills, lethargy and weakness of the body;
• Runny nose and sore throat.

These symptoms of rotavirus are characteristic of both adults and children. In infants, the main symptom of an infectious disease is recession of the spring of the body during dehydration.

Rotavirus in mild form is almost asymptomatic. Infection does not cause fever and severe dehydration, and loose stools celebrated no more than three times a day. It is not necessary to treat this condition and use a specific diet, as it passes within a few days. In severe cases of an infectious disease in adults and children, the following signs are revealed - loose skin, dry lips and tongue, as well as cramps, a decrease in blood pressure, loss of consciousness.

Immediate treatment and a diet aimed at stabilizing the patient’s condition are indicated in acute form. Severe illness is especially dangerous during pregnancy. During pregnancy, rotavirus infection can lead to severe dehydration, but because the infection affects the gastrointestinal tract, it does not harm the fetus.

Viruses acute gastroenteritis. Global disease and disease caused by rotavirus disease in children. Observation of rotavirus strains in the United States: identification of unusual strains. National Anti-Virus Laboratory rotavirus infection.

Current status and future priorities for the development, evaluation and implementation of rotavirus vaccines in developing countries. Seasonality and diversity of rotavirus group A in Europe. Annual epidemiological patterns of rotavirus infection in North America. The results of a five-year retrospective survey of 88 centers in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

In the presence of these symptoms, the woman must pass tests and then undergo adequate treatment.

Rotavirus is a fairly common disease, the peak of which comes in the autumn-spring period. The doctor may make the primary diagnosis based on the patient's complaints about vomiting, nausea, runny nose, diarrhea with sour smell  and yellow.

On visual examination, the therapist notes in adults and children the clinical symptoms of the disease - dry and flabby skin, tongue with a grayish bloom, and a distended stomach. Additional methods  diagnostics are:

• Blood test to detect inflammatory process  in the body. The results of the analysis with an initial rotavirus infection will show an increase in leukocytes and an increase in ESR, and in the acute stage in the analysis these blood cells will be reduced;
• Immunofluorescence analysis of feces to identify the infectious agent;
• General fecal analysis for the detection of dietary fiber and non-digestible food, as well as fat and starch;
• Urinalysis in which leukocytes, erythrocytes and protein will be detected in adults and children;
• Biochemical blood test to determine the increased nitrogen content;
• Consultation with infectious diseases;
• Consultation with a gynecologist women during pregnancy.

An immunofluorescence blood test for the detection of antibodies is mainly used to diagnose the disease in adults. In children from 3 years the immune system  is not strong, so it is not able to produce the body, so they have this method of examination is not indicative.

During pregnancy, the above methods are used to diagnose the disease, but to confirm the normal development of the fetus, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist and an ultrasound scan. After a comprehensive examination, the doctor prescribes a suitable treatment and diet, which will help to normalize the patient’s condition and strengthen the immune system.

There is no specific treatment for rotavirus infection, since the disease is symptomatic. Therapy is primarily aimed at eliminating the symptoms - vomiting, fever, poor appetite and severe dehydration, and during pregnancy is indicated rest. In case of a mild infectious-inflammatory process, a special diet is prescribed, which includes:

• The use of large amounts of fluid to restore the water-salt balance;
• The exclusion of heavy and difficult to digest food, as well as pastries and vegetables, which cause increased gas formation;
• It is not recommended to use milk, because it can enhance the reaction of the body.

To alleviate the condition of the patient, in addition to the diet, enzyme preparations are prescribed, which remove toxins and harmful substances from the body. They are safe, so they can be used during pregnancy. The rotavirus vaccine will help protect against this disease, but it is still not included in the national vaccination schedule in Russia.

Intestinal flu

The incubation time is very short, 1-2 days. There may be spasms in the fever, the child is hospitalized to vomiting, watery diarrhea, a chair with a green color. Children have no appetite, their stomach is damaged, objectively we see puffed up bellyreacting to touch.

• But these febrile seizures are not the rule.
• Diarrhea often occurs with fever.

Temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea threaten the baby to become dehydrated. it key moment  for observation!

The basic diagnosis of rotavirus infection cannot be determined by basic physical examination, which requires laboratory examination of a child’s stool where the viral antigen is tested. However, such pediatric surgery is usually not done.

Rotavirus can be treated not only medication drugsbut also folk remedies. For churning high temperaturealleviating gastrointestinal symptoms and relieving painful sensations  It is recommended to use a mixture of 1 tsp. elm rusty and 1 tsp. cinnamon

Treatment with this composition is carried out until complete recovery, and on the day it is necessary to use this mixture at least two times. It is necessary to treat rotavirus with the help of a water-salt composition, which is very good for dehydration. In the period after cessation of vomiting, the pectin mixture will be able to alleviate the condition of the patient, but instead of it you can use baked apple, rice broth and carrot-apple juice.

For the treatment of diarrhea in traditional medicine  used dried blueberries, from which you can make compote. They drink it before and after meals. However, before taking these folk remedies, especially during pregnancy, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Measures to prevent rotavirus infection include:

• Diet, which involves the use of only thermally prepared and thoroughly purified products;
• Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, including regular hand washing after using the toilet and walking outside;
• Drinking purified boiled water;
• Limiting contact with patients;
• Visit the gynecologist and therapist during pregnancy.

These simple preventive measures and careful dieting will prevent infection by the virus, as well as alleviate the condition in adults and the child after infection. If this disease is not treated, it can lead to severe dehydration and other complications.