Prevention of intestinal infections in children
Acute intestinal infections are a whole group of contagious diseases that damage the digestive tract, disrupting its motility, with the development of diarrhea (the appearance of frequent liquefied stools in the patient), in severe cases dehydration, manifestations of the disease are accompanied by fever. Infection occurs when the pathogen enters through the mouth, when eating contaminated food, water and through dirty hands. The causative agents of intestinal infections can be bacteria (salmonellosis, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, campylobacteriosis), their toxins (food poisoning), as well as viruses (enterovirus, rotavirus, norovirus). From patients and carriers of infection, microbes are released into the external environment with feces, vomit. All pathogens are very tenacious in the external environment, especially in the summer.
In summer, the number of intestinal infections increases significantly. And there is an explanation for this: the warm season, humidity contributes to the rapid reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. The main food products are targets for them – dairy groceries, meat, fish, broths, vegetables, fruits.
The time from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first signs of the disease ranges from several hours (14-48) to 7 days (on average 1-3 days).
Clinical manifestations of many intestinal infections are of the same type: acute onset, abdominal pain, loose stools, fever, nausea, vomiting, weakness. In severe cases, dehydration, shock, and impaired consciousness are observed, especially in young children. In case of illness of children, timely seeking medical help is of great importance.
In order to protect children from intestinal infections, it is necessary not to forget the basic preventive measures:
- compliance with the rules of personal hygiene (frequent hand washing for the child, after visiting – public places, vehicles, before meals);
- refusal to use water for drinking from open sources (only boiled or bottled water is allowed);
- thorough washing of vegetables, fruits and berries, rinsing them with boiling water;
- purchase of food products only in places of authorized trade;
- buying only whole melon crops (watermelons and melons), in the cut form, microbes are easily transferred from the surface and multiply in the juicy pulp;
- protect food from insects and rodents – carriers of infection;
- do not swim in forbidden places, do not swallow water when bathing;
- use milk only in boiled form;
- store cooked foods in the refrigerator according to the shelf life and shelf life;
- refrain from using confectionery products with cream cooked on fresh eggs;
- observe separate storage and preparation of raw and ready-made food.
If, despite all precautions, signs of acute intestinal infections appear, you should immediately seek medical help. Only a doctor can correctly prescribe treatment and determine the necessary preventive measures for persons in contact with the patient.
Take care of your health.
Chief Freelance Specialist
on infectious diseases in children
health Department of the Lipetsk region,
Belyaeva Tatiana Ivanovna
Abstracts for the cards:
In order to protect children from intestinal infections, it is necessary not to forget the basic preventive measures:
- compliance with the rules of personal hygiene (frequent hand washing for the child, after visiting – public places, vehicles, before meals);
- refusal to use water for drinking from open sources (only boiled or bottled water is allowed);
- thorough washing of vegetables, fruits and berries, rinsing them with boiling water;
- purchase of food products only in places of authorized trade;
- buying only whole melon crops (watermelons and melons), in the cut form, microbes are easily transferred from the surface and multiply in the juicy pulp;
- protect food from insects and rodents – carriers of infection;
- do not swim in forbidden places, do not swallow water when bathing;
- use milk only in boiled form;
- store cooked foods in the refrigerator according to the shelf life and shelf life;