Prevention of acute intestinal diseases

Acute intestinal infections (OKI) - this is a large group of diseases caused by various microorganisms with a predominant lesion of the gastrointestinal tract. There are more than 30 of them, the most harmless of them is food poisoning, and the most dangerous is cholera.

The causative agents of intestinal infections can be: bacteria (salmonellosis, typhoid fever, cholera), their toxins (botulism), as well as viruses (enterovirus, norovirus, rotavirus) , etc.

From patients and carriers of infection, microbes are released into the external environment with feces, vomit, and sometimes with urine. Almost all pathogens of intestinal infections are extremely tenacious. They can survive for a long time in the soil, water, and even on various objects. For example, on spoons, plates, door handles, and furniture. Intestinal microbes are not afraid of the cold, but still prefer to live where it is warm and humid. They multiply especially quickly in dairy products, minced meat, jelly, as well as in water (especially in the summer).

The susceptibility to acute intestinal infections is high. The risk of infection depends on the dose of the pathogen that has entered the body, its virulence, as well as on the state of the barrier and enzymatic function of the gastrointestinal tract and the susceptibility of the body. The most susceptible are young children, especially those who are premature and are on artificial feeding. Immunity after an infection is unstable, lasting from 3 to 4 months to 1 year, and therefore the possibility of repeated diseases is high.  From the moment the pathogen enters the body to the appearance of symptoms of the disease, it can take from several hours to 7 days.

The symptoms of intestinal infections depend on the type of pathogen, but there are general signs by which you can understand the cause of poor health: weakness, poor appetite, abdominal pain.

The effect of pathogenic microorganisms in the intestine is not immediately apparent. A slight malaise at the beginning is replaced by severe abdominal pain, vomiting, frequent loose stools. In addition, the temperature rises, chills, excessive sweating and other signs of fever appear, and loss of consciousness is possible.

These symptoms indicate a strong intoxication of the body due to the vital activity of pathogenic bacteria, frequent vomiting and loose stools lead to dehydration of the body, which leads to irreversible consequences (impaired kidney function, changes in the cardiovascular system).

To make a correct diagnosis, you need to consult a doctor. Do not self-medicate, as this may worsen your condition.

Intestinal infections in children and the elderly can be fatal. The question of hospitalization or treatment at home is decided by the doctor.

For the prevention of intestinal infections, experts recommend following a few simple rules:

• First of all, you need to wash your hands with soap as often as possible (after coming home, going to the toilet, peeling vegetables or cutting meat, working in the garden or vegetable garden, before eating, etc.).
• If you are in places where access to water is difficult, you need to stock up on special antibacterial agents (wet wipes, sprays, etc.).
• You can not drink water from the tap, from a spring, river, street pump, etc.
• Before use, you need to wash fruits, vegetables, and berries well. When buying melons, watermelons, you need to give preference to whole fruits, in incised, crumpled, cracked places, harmful microorganisms quickly multiply.
• Buy meat, milk, and fermented milk products only in stores. If you bought raw milk at the market, it is necessary to boil it.
• Refrain from buying perishable food in places where there is no refrigeration equipment.
• During the trip, the products should be stored in separate bags.
• You can not swim in forbidden places, while swimming it is important not to swallow water.
• Do not allow insects, which are the main carriers of dangerous infections, to sit or crawl on the products.

Be healthy!

Chief Freelance
management infectious disease specialist
health care of the region
L. V. Sirotinkina