21 Stomach flu symptoms 2013: Gastroenteritis - Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments

Although it is known as stomach flu, gastroenteritis should not be confused with seasonal flu (influenza).


Influenza affects the respiratory system in our body - lungs, nose and throat and reezultat of infection with different flu viruses.

Flu symptoms are:

Fever

Cough

Headache

Muscle aches

Fatigue and weakness

Very rare, especially in children may experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.



The stomach flu is an infection of the gastrointestinal tract that attacks the lining of the stomach and intestines.

The stomach flu can be viral gastroenteritis or bacterial gastroenteritis.



Experts have concluded that bacterial gastroenteritis "booming" mainly in the summer. This happens due to high temperature, which helps the bacteria to multiply. A viral gastroenteritis is more common in winter and infection usually becomes airborne.



Bacterial gastroenteritis is caused by certain intestinal bacteria, staphylococci pathogenic enteric bacillus, salmonella and microbial dysentery.



Viral gastroenteritis is provoked by intestinal viruses. In most cases, the infection is a result of dirty hands from rotten or bad meal prepared from impure water from dirty objects - knives, forks, towels. And also from raw oysters.

Among the most common viral cause of acute gastroenteritis in children are: rotavirus, calicivirus, enteric adenoviruses and astrovirusi.



Less acute stomach flu can be caused by coronaviruses, torovirusi, picornaviruses, pikobirna viruses, parvovirus, etc..

Viral gastroenteritis occur in the form of endemic diseases in childhood or outbreaks affecting different age groups. The most common cause of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis Noroviruses are. This virus affects both children and adults. Rotavirus and calicivirus infections astrovirusnite with the highest incidence in winter, while enteric adenovirus infections are more common in summer and autumn.



A rare chronic gastroenteritis. It manifests itself in a serious medical condition, such as in patients with a diagnosis of cancer.



The most common stomach flu symptoms are:

Vomiting

Fever

Diarrhea.

Stomach cramps

Aching muscles

Abdominal pain




Usually, the first stomach flu symptom is the vomiting, but it can occur simultaneously or sometimes diarrhea after its start, to be the only symptom or indeed missing.



Main stomach flu symptom is watery diarrhea. Usually without mucus and blood. If dyaiariyata a bloody, means suffering from a serious infection and should immediately seek medical attention.

On the stomach flu muscle pain are the result of dehydration of the body. Stomach cramps and abdominal pain are the result of irritation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines.



Possible complications of stomach flu include:



Major complication of the stomach flu is dehydration. Tend to such young children, especially under 1 year of age and the elderly, or severe comorbidities.



Depending losses are classified mild, moderate and severe dehydration - a loss of less than 5% to 10% or more than 10% of body weight, which is measured practice But infants. Signs of severe dehydration are impairment of general condition with somnolence and hard contact with the patient, dry mucous membranes, decreased skin turgor, sunken eyeballs, increased pulse rate and low blood pressure in infants and sunken fontanel.



From laboratory studies, what we find is haemoconcentration - with an increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, total protein. Electrolyte disturbances are also allowed.



How to treat stomach flu:



Treatment of stomach flu symptoms is primarily supportive. It is good to make so-called. Diet pause that facilitates the work of the gastrointestinal tract. The most important thing is to ensure adequate intake of fluids adequately lost from vomiting and diarrhea. In profuse vomiting and inability to fluid intake by mouth, they are employed intravenously in hospital. Used solutions rich in electrolytes, usually Ringer, Hartmann.



Anti-diarrheal agents is not recommended because they reduce bowel and the risk of invasion of bacteria from the intestine into the blood (bacteremia). However, they can apply mild diarrhea without the presence of blood.



If necessary, appoint anti-sickness medication, but they are not recommended in children.



Taking probiotics helps in faster recovery of normal intestinal flora.



In establishing the bacterial cause of stomach flu prescribe antibiotics as antibiograms.



Stomach flu symptoms usually resolve in 1 to 3 days and do not require special treatment. If symptoms of stomach flu worse, and does not pass this time, it is necessary to seek medical attention to avoid complications. If the stomach pain, muscle blocks and vomiting are very sharp early and the temperature is very high, you better see a doctor immediately because it could not have stomach flu symptoms and symptoms of food poisoning.