Definition
Also called intestinal influence, viral gastroenteritis refers to an inflammatory process involving the stomach and / or small intestine, by viruses; the disease causes abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever and vomiting.
Causes
In most cases, gastroenteritis is due to a viral insult; the transmission of the virus occurs by contact with an infected person, or by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Infants, the elderly and immunocompromised subjects are at greater risk not only of viral gastroenteritis, but also of its complications.
Symptoms
The typical symptomatology of viral gastroenteritis generally appears after 4-48 hours from contact with the virus, and may involve: abdominal pain, diarrhea, dehydration (more serious complication, typical of children and the elderly), joint and abdominal pain, emesis, fever, loss of appetite, meteorism, nausea, blood in stools and in vomit.
Diet and Nutrition
Information on viral gastroenteritis - drugs for the treatment of intestinal flu are not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking viral gastroenteritis - drugs for the treatment of intestinal flu.
drugs
Given that close contact with an infected person is a possible causal element for contracting viral gastroenteritis, it is clear that frequent hand washing is the absolute best prevention measure to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. According to this, it is worth pointing out again how prevention is fundamental to avoid getting sick, considering, moreover, that there is no specific and specific treatment to treat viral gastroenteritis.
We have seen that the dehydration of the organism represents a possible complication of the disease: in order to avoid it, it is good to take large quantities of liquids, through food, drinks and, when necessary, intravenously (hospitalized patients).
The following are the classes of drugs most used in therapy against viral gastroenteritis, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and posology for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the health status of the patient and his response to treatment:
Pharmacological treatment consists exclusively of treating symptoms
Administration of saline supplements : viral gastroenteritis generally begins with diarrhea and vomiting, responsible for a progressive dehydration with loss of electrolytes and mineral salts. Just to balance the electrolytic quantity, it is recommended to supplement the diet with products enriched in vitamins and minerals. Intravenous rehydration is indicated exclusively for patients suffering from viral gastroenteritis associated with severe dehydration.
Do not take fruit juices or fizzy and sugary drinks: the large quantity of sugars contained in them can promote evacuation, causing damage without making up for lost electrolytes.
Antibiotics : these drugs are completely ineffective in healing viral gastroenteritis, precisely because they are caused by a virus. If the viral gastroenteritis were accompanied by bacterial superinfections, the antibiotic carries out its therapeutic action towards the responsible bacterium. It should also be remembered that the abuse of antibiotics can increase the resistance of bacteria to treatment and delay healing. For example:
- Ampicillin (eg Ampilux, Amplital, Unasyn): take 250-500 mg of oral drug every 6 hours. The duration of treatment should be established by the doctor.
- Doxycycline (eg Doxicicl, Periostat, Miraclin, Bassado): in case of gastroenteritis associated with bacterial infection with Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica, take 100 mg of drug orally twice a day. In the case of coniferion from Tropheryma whippelii, it is recommended to take the drug orally at a dose of 100 mg twice daily for 12 months after the first 10-14 days of penicillin or Ceftriaxone therapy.
- Ciprofloxacin (eg. Ciprofloxac, Samper, Ciproxin, Kinox): indicated for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in the context of typhoid fever, and for the prevention of gastroenteritis related to traveler's diarrhea. Ciprofloxacin can also be taken for the treatment of salmonella gastroenteritis: in this case, take 500 mg of the drug twice daily for 5-7 days. Prolong therapy at 14 days when the patient is immunocompromised.
- Erythromycin (eg Erythrocin, Erythro L, Lauromycin) the drug (macrolide) must be taken for the treatment of viral gastroenteritis accompanied by bacterial Campylobacter infections. The recommended dosage is: 250-500 mg every 6 hours for mild or moderate infections; 1-4 g / day intravenously every 6 hours for severe forms.
Antidiarrheal : contrary to what one might think, taking anti-diarrhea drugs is not always useful for healing, as it can prolong the viral infection. However, anti-diarrheal drugs can only be taken under medical consultation. The use of these medicines is not recommended for children.
Antipyretics : paracetamol (eg. Tachipirina, Efferalgan, Sanipirina, Piros) is particularly effective for combating fever and balancing body temperature. However, please note that this drug should also be taken with caution, especially in children. Paracetamol is administered at a dosage of 325-650 mg per day every 4-6 hours; alternatively, take 1 gram every 6-8 hours. The dosage depends on the patient's condition, age and weight. The drug can also be taken intravenously: 1 gram every 6 hours, or 650 mg every 4 hours for adults and adolescents weighing more than 50 kilos: if the patient weighs less than 50 kilos, give 15 mg / kg every 6 hours or 12.5 mg / kg every 4 hours. It is not recommended to take acetylsalicylic acid (eg aspirin): do not give the drug to children under 12 years.
Vaccination : vaccination is possible for the prevention of viral gastroenteritis. For example:
- Rotarix (live attenuated Rotavirus vaccine) is available as an oral suspension or as a powder and solvent to be mixed to obtain an oral suspension. Infants can be vaccinated starting from the 6th week of life: it is recommended to administer the drug in two doses, spaced from one another for at least a month.
- Rotateq (Rotavirus vaccine, pentavalent, live, reassortant): this is another oral vaccine, to be taken in a single-dose solution. The drug is indicated for the prevention of viral gastroenteritis for newborns, starting from the sixth week of life. The vaccine should be divided into three doses, to be taken at intervals of 4 weeks one from the other.
