What is it about ?
An acute gastrointestinal infection is an infection of the digestive tract caused by a virus or bacteria.
In infants and toddlers, rotavirus is the main culprit. But adenovirus and norovirus can also cause it. Norovirus more often affects adolescents and adults.
The main bacteria that cause acute gastrointestinal infection are: Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. Coli, Shigella and Yersinia.
In whom and how often does it occur?
Stomach flu is particularly common in young children (1 to 4 years old). Usually they heal on their own and the infection requires little or no special medical attention.
How to recognize it?
Symptoms are sudden onset diarrhea (stools at least 3 times a day, for more than 24 hours) and / or loose stools. Diarrhea may or may not be accompanied by vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite and / or fever.
Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration. It is especially young children and the elderly who are at risk of dehydration. The tongue is dry, the eyes are darkened and sunken, and the skin loses elasticity (when pinched, the skin takes longer to regain its original appearance).
In most cases, it takes 2 to 3 days before your stool frequency decreases. Usually symptoms go away on their own after 10 days.
How is the diagnosis made?
Usually, the doctor can make the diagnosis based on symptoms and a clinical examination of the belly. He will also look for possible signs of dehydration.
In general, it is not useful to analyze the stool, except in cases of:
- Bloody diarrhea accompanied by high fevers and a strong feeling of ill-being;
- Bloody diarrhea in infants less than 6 months old;
- Suspicion of food poisoning in collective establishments, such as nurseries, schools, etc.
What can you do ?
The stomach flu is usually spread by contact with vomit and / or stool. Always wash your hands after using the toilet. Another major source of contamination is infected food. Always wash your hands when cooking, and work in hygienic conditions.
It is essential to drink enough (hydrate). Oral rehydration solution (ORS) may be indicated. It may be necessary in the presence of a risk of dehydration. These are sachets containing a powder composed of salts and sugars which are dissolved in water (1 sachet per 500 ml of water). This helps restore the balance of salts and fluids in the body. It brings faster rehydration. You can optionally prepare a solution yourself by mixing 1 level teaspoon of salt and 8 level teaspoons of sugar in 1 liter of cool water. Without fever, treatment of symptoms is sufficient.
Breastfeeding should not be interrupted. If you are using a breastmilk substitute and dehydration begins, it is best to give only rehydration solution or ORS for 4-6 hours. Then you can start giving formula again. It should not be diluted and it can be composed of lactose and fat.
To protect infants against rotavirus, the Belgian authorities recommend that all infants be vaccinated. The rotavirus vaccine is given by mouth. An infant can receive this vaccine as early as 8 weeks of age. A second dose is given after one month.
What can your doctor do?
In most cases, it is not necessary to give antibiotics, except in cases of severe bloody diarrhea with fever or in certain risk groups.
Loperamide, a medicine for diarrhea, is not recommended. If it still needs to be administered, limit the treatment to a few days. Do not give it to children under 12 years old, and certainly not if they have fever or bloody diarrhea.
Medicines for nausea, such as domperidone and metoclopramide, are not recommended.
Probiotics are not recommended.
Want to know more?
- Loperamide – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
- Domperidone – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
- Metoclopramide – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
- Probiotics – CBIP – Belgian Center for Pharmacotherapeutic Information
- Rotavirus gastroenteritis – Vaccination-Info.be
- For the vaccine, I hesitate … Is it serious doctor? – Health question
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