home Audience 1 Medicines for intestinal infections: a review of drugs. Antiviral drugs for rotavirus infection

Medicines for intestinal infections: a review of drugs. Antiviral drugs for rotavirus infection

Intestinal infection, or poisoning, is a common disease, which ranks second in prevalence in the world after colds and acute respiratory viral infections. The peak incidence occurs in the warm season, and in countries with hot climates, such pathologies are observed all year round, and sometimes become epidemic. In most cases, intestinal infections do not pose a serious health risk, since the body copes with their causes on its own, but in some cases they can cause serious consequences and even death. How to treat an intestinal infection, read on.

Intestinal infections are a number of diseases caused by the activity of pathogenic microorganisms - viruses, bacteria, fungi or protozoa. Most often they enter the body through dirty hands, unwashed vegetables and fruits, and animal products - meat, fish, eggs, milk. Pathogens of intestinal infections can appear on various food products in cases where they have been stored for a long time in inappropriate conditions or have been improperly thermally processed, as a result of which infection can occur when consuming almost any product, including thermally processed ones. The causative agents of intestinal infections are resistant to cold, therefore they retain their pathogenic properties, even if the contaminated products were stored in the refrigerator.

In addition, the cause of infection can be the use of unboiled water or accidental ingestion of it while swimming in reservoirs, as well as close contact with an infected person - kissing, shaking hands, using the same household items. Some protozoa living in tropical countries are able to penetrate the human body through the skin and mucous membranes. Microorganisms, which are called opportunistic, are present in small quantities in the body of any person, and under favorable conditions they begin to actively multiply, causing manifestations of intestinal infections.

In the process of life, bacteria, viruses and other foreign agents release toxins that cause intoxication of the body, inflammatory processes and destruction of cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

For reference: susceptibility to intestinal infections is the same for all people, regardless of age and gender, so anyone can become infected. Children of the first year of life, older people (over 65 years old), and those who suffer from chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines or have weak immunity are most easily infected.

Video - Intestinal infection: what is it?

Types and varieties of intestinal infections

There are several dozen microorganisms that can provoke pathological processes in the intestines - depending on the classification, there are several forms of intestinal infections: bacterial, viral and protozoal.

Table 1. Forms of intestinal infections

Form of intestinal infection	Possible pathogens	Peculiarities
Bacterial	Vibrio cholerae; staphylococcus; causative agent of typhoid fever; coli; salmonella; shigella; Klebsiella	Bacterial intestinal infections are transmitted orally and through household contact, that is, through failure to comply with hygiene rules or through consumption of low-quality products contaminated with microbes. Bacteria penetrate the mucous membrane of the small and large intestines, after which they begin to release toxic substances. Toxins damage the intestinal wall, causing ulceration, bleeding, secretion (release) of protein, water and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen. They usually occur in an acute, severe form.
Viral	adenoviruses; coronaviruses; enteroviruses; rotaviruses.	A form of the disease that is caused by the entry of viruses into the human gastrointestinal tract that can cause acute inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Enterovirus and rotavirus intestinal infections occur most often in people of all ages. Diseases of viral etiology can be transmitted not only through the mouth or close contact with a patient, but also through airborne droplets. These infections begin acutely, but usually have a favorable prognosis.
Protozoan	lamblia; amoebas.	The protozoal variety is less common than bacterial and viral ones; infection, as a rule, occurs when unboiled water enters the stomach. Such intestinal infections can last a long time and require treatment with special medications.

A separate group includes intestinal infections of non-bacterial etiology, which are associated with the ingestion of toxins contained in certain foods (mushrooms, shellfish, fish, plants). In addition, there is a form of the disease with an unknown pathogen, which is often called tourist poisoning - it is observed in cases where there are too many possible variants of infection, and it is not possible to isolate one of them.

Important: intestinal infections caused by Vibrio cholera, typhoid fever and dysentery are considered the most severe and dangerous - if left untreated, they can quickly lead to death. Fortunately, today these diseases are rare, mainly in areas with extremely low living standards.

Symptoms of intestinal infection

Intestinal infections, as a rule, begin acutely and suddenly, but sometimes a sluggish course of the disease occurs. When pathogenic microorganisms enter the human body, they quickly penetrate the mucous membranes and blood, and at the onset of the disease, a person feels weakness, mild nausea or a feeling of overeating, and an increase in temperature. Symptoms characteristic of intestinal infections soon develop, which include:

abdominal pain - usually they are spastic in nature, but can be stabbing, cutting, pulling, etc.;
frequent loose stools, most often yellowish or green, possibly containing blood and mucus;
severe nausea or vomiting, usually repeated;
bloating, belching, flatulence;
strong thirst;
in severe cases - dehydration, damage to the nervous system, fainting, coma.

The most characteristic symptom of an intestinal infection is loose stool, and the causative agent of the disease can be determined by its consistency. With dysentery, feces take the form of “rectal spit” (instead of feces, mucus with blood comes out); with salmonellosis, greenish-brown discharge with an unpleasant odor is observed; with cholera, it is copious and watery.

Diarrhea is a characteristic symptom of intestinal infection

The severity of symptoms depends on the age and general condition of the patient’s body, as well as on the form of the disease - mild, moderate or severe.

In the mild stage, the frequency of bowel movements does not exceed 5 times a day, the temperature remains normal or rises slightly, and the disease goes away on its own after a few days.
A moderate infection is characterized by a fairly high temperature, repeated vomiting, bloating, and the frequency of bowel movements can reach 15 times a day. There may be blood and mucus in the stool.
In severe forms, the frequency of bowel movements is 50 or more times per day, symptoms of dehydration develop (lack of urine and saliva, pale skin), thready pulse, and decreased blood pressure.

Feature: some types of intestinal infections have nonspecific symptoms - for example, with botulism, gastrointestinal manifestations may be absent, and instead of them, visual disturbances appear (double vision, “spots” and fog before the eyes).

When is home treatment possible?

Patients with signs of intestinal infections are sent to infectious diseases departments of medical institutions, but sometimes therapy can be carried out at home. It is possible to do without hospitalization in mild forms of the disease in adults - this is evidenced by the absence of high fever, blood in the stool and vomit, and acute (so-called dagger-like) abdominal pain.

If a person has a high fever, signs of dehydration, a “tummy” (tightening of the abdominal muscles causing it to become rigid), and symptoms last more than a day, they should seek medical help. Hospitalization is also necessary in the case of children under 3 years of age (intestinal infections are especially dangerous for infants), people over 60 years of age, and pregnant women.

The diagnosis of “intestinal infection” is made on the basis of symptoms, complaints, blood tests (general, biochemical), as well as bacteriological examination of stool. An important role is played by collecting anamnesis - information about what a person ate and drank over the last 2-3 days, his places of stay, contacts, etc.

Attention: intestinal infections have symptoms similar to those of some acute gastrointestinal diseases (appendicitis, pancreatitis, etc.), so in any case it is recommended to show the patient to a doctor. Read about it in a special article.

Treatment of intestinal infections

Therapy for intestinal infections is carried out in several stages - first, you should cleanse the body of toxins as much as possible, then eliminate the symptoms of the disease and prevent dehydration, and at the last stage, restore normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

General principles

The first thing to do if you suspect an intestinal infection or food poisoning is to induce vomiting. To do this, you can drink 1-2 glasses of soda solution (a teaspoon per glass of water), potassium permanganate, that is, ordinary potassium permanganate, or plain warm water, and then press on the root of the tongue. The stomach should be rinsed until the liquid coming out is clear. Then an enema is needed, which will speed up the cleansing of the body and remove dangerous bacteria from the intestines.

After this, the patient should be isolated from others, provided with complete rest and bed rest. He should have separate dishes, bedding and clothes should be washed in hot water, and after contact with a poisoned person, hands should be washed thoroughly. In the first hours or even days after poisoning, it is better to refuse to eat any food - you can only eat when the acute symptoms of the disease are behind you.

On the first day after poisoning, refuse to eat

During an intestinal infection, the body loses a lot of fluid, which should be replenished by drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. The patient should be given teas, dried fruit or rosehip compote, still mineral water, and drink little by little, a teaspoon at a time, so as not to cause vomiting.

Advice: stopping vomiting with Cerucal or other similar drugs is not recommended, otherwise the body will not be able to cleanse itself of toxins and harmful substances.

Medications

There are several categories of medications that are used for intestinal infections - they remove toxins from the body, eliminate the unpleasant sensations of pathology, restore water balance in the body, promote the regeneration of the intestinal mucosa and restore its functions.

Sorbents

All types of intestinal infections are accompanied by the release and accumulation of large amounts of toxic substances, so you will need drugs that will remove harmful substances from the stomach and intestines. Sorbents are used for this - once they enter the intestines, they absorb toxins and remove them out, preventing them from being absorbed into the mucous membranes and entering the blood.

Attention: in case of severe intestinal poisoning, patients need to take antibiotics, but they can only be used after consultation with a doctor, otherwise the person’s condition may worsen.

Antidiarrheal drugs

A common symptom of intestinal infections is diarrhea, so to normalize stool, medications that eliminate this symptom are needed. They have a positive effect on the functioning of the digestive tract, reducing its tone and muscle contractions. The drugs should be taken after each act of defecation in a dosage of 2 to 4 mg, while the maximum daily dosage should not exceed 16 mg.

Antispasmodics

The development of intestinal infection in adults is often accompanied by severe pain, which can be relieved with antispasmodic tablets. They eliminate smooth muscle spasms, which reduces discomfort and improves the patient’s condition. The most common drugs include No-shpa, Drotaverine, Papaverine, Benalgin.

Important: you can take antispasmodics only if you are completely sure that the patient has developed an intestinal infection - for other gastrointestinal diseases, these drugs can “blur” the picture of the disease and make it difficult to make a diagnosis.

Remedies against dehydration

To prevent dehydration, which entails a serious threat to the patient’s life, it is necessary to take medications to restore the body’s water-salt balance. These include Regidron, Humana Electrolyte, Hemodez, Citroglucosolan - they will not only help restore lost moisture, but will also replenish the concentration of potassium and sodium salts in the body, which are washed out of it along with water. The solutions should be taken several times 1-2 teaspoons every 10-15 minutes, alternating with water. In severe cases of intestinal infections, drugs to restore water balance (for example, Albumin) are administered intravenously in a medical facility.

Folk remedies

Treatment of intestinal infections with folk remedies is possible only in combination with conservative therapy - they improve the effect of medications, calm the stomach and speed up the healing process.

St. John's wort. The plant has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, therefore it is good at eliminating the symptoms of intestinal infections. Take 1.5 tablespoons of dry herb, steam 250 ml of boiling water, boil in a water bath for half an hour and filter. Next, squeeze out the remainder well and add boiled water to the original volume (250 ml), take 30 minutes before meals, 1/3 cup for 3-5 days. St. John's wort should be taken with caution, as in large quantities it causes intoxication of the body.
Air. Calamus root eliminates nausea and other unpleasant symptoms and has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Pour a heaping tablespoon of crushed calamus root into a liter of water, boil for 10 minutes, strain, drink ½ cup at least 5 times a day until symptoms disappear.
Mint and lemon balm have a calming effect and are good at combating stomach discomfort. Take 2 tablespoons of the herb (you can mix mint with lemon balm), pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 40-60 minutes, drink in several doses. For mild poisoning, 1-2 days of treatment is sufficient.
The plant has an antitoxic effect and promotes rapid cleansing of the body. Pour a tablespoon of powder into a glass of boiling water, leave in a thermos for 2-3 hours, drink in four doses before meals.
This spice has a powerful antimicrobial effect, so it quickly relieves the symptoms of intestinal infections. Grind a small piece of ginger, take 600 ml of boiling water for 2 tablespoons of raw material, leave for half an hour, cool until warm and drink 50 ml throughout the day until the symptoms disappear. It is better not to use ginger in cases of fever and stomach ulcers.

Important: folk remedies can also cause side effects and allergies, so you should take it with caution, carefully monitoring the body's reaction.

Diet and body restoration

Diet plays an important role in the treatment of intestinal infections. In the first 12-24 hours, it is better to completely refuse any food and drink only water. When nausea, diarrhea and other manifestations of the disease pass, you can eat a little rice water, oatmeal without butter, sugar and milk, blueberry jelly, low-fat chicken broth with white crackers. After the condition improves, the following foods are allowed:

Dish of boiled vegetables

Prohibited foods for intestinal infections include:

fatty, smoked, spicy and salty dishes;
baked goods, sweets;
semi-finished products, canned food, fast food;
cabbage, beets, legumes;
sour vegetables and fruits;
pears and grapes;
watermelons, melons;
dried fruits, nuts;
carbonated drinks, especially sweet ones;
alcohol, caffeine.

After severe intestinal infections, recovery of the body can continue for 1-2 months, so during this period it is recommended to follow a diet, avoiding harmful foods. To restore normal intestinal microflora, it is recommended to take probiotics and prebiotics - Linex, Hilak Forte, Yogurt, Yogulax, Bifidumbacterin, etc. If a person has digestive disorders, you can take medications containing enzymes (Pancreatin, Festal, Creon), which improve digestion processes and have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Attention: sometimes intestinal infections cause gastritis, ulcers and other gastrointestinal diseases, so for several months after recovery you should carefully monitor the condition of the body, and if characteristic symptoms occur, consult a doctor.

Prevention of intestinal infections

The main measure to prevent intestinal infections is strict adherence to personal hygiene. Hands should be washed as often as possible, without fail after coming from outside, visiting the toilet and before eating. Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly with warm water and scalded with boiling water, and animal products should be stored and handled appropriately. Chicken eggs should also be washed in water and soda, as their shells may contain dangerous salmonella bacteria. At the slightest sign that the food is spoiled (unpleasant odor, change in color, etc.), it is better to refuse to eat it.

During travel and tourist trips, you should drink only bottled water, avoid swimming in unfamiliar bodies of water (especially if we are talking about African countries) and do not get carried away with exotic dishes, especially those made from unprocessed foods.

Let's sum it up

An intestinal infection is an unpleasant phenomenon that does not entail unpleasant consequences provided that it is treated promptly and correctly. It is quite difficult to protect yourself from this disease, since pathogenic microorganisms surround a person almost everywhere, but if preventive measures are taken, the risk of infection can be reduced to a minimum.

What pills will help against intestinal infections? Unfortunately, intestinal infection is not as simple as it seems at first glance. And it requires complex, that is, combined, treatment.

Perhaps someday one tablet will be enough to treat an intestinal infection. But now - alas!

This time has not yet come, so you will have to treat an intestinal infection with the good old complex set of drugs.

So different, and all contagious

What is an “intestinal infection”? This phrase hides several dozen different diseases caused by various pathogens.

Well, since they are all “infections”, one thing is immediately clear - they are all contagious. There is one more factor that unites all intestinal infections into one bundle - similar symptoms.

The list of symptoms of acute intestinal infections is as follows:

nausea;
vomit;
pain in the stomach;
diarrhea;
heat.

In children, the incidence of intestinal infections is twice as high as in adults, and the disease is more severe in childhood.

What foods can you eat if you have an intestinal infection? In the first two days of illness, it is better not to eat anything at all. It is only recommended to drink as much as possible.

On the third day, you can eat rice porridge cooked in water without adding oil. Dried blueberries and bird cherry will have a positive effect on the intestines.

You should not eat dairy products, raw fruits and vegetables until you have completely recovered from an intestinal infection!

Emergency medications

How to treat this infection?

There are several stages:

restoration of the body’s water-salt balance;
cleansing the intestines of toxins and poisons;
restoration of the population of normal microflora.

To prevent fatal dehydration, you need to take medications to restore the body’s water-salt balance:

Regidron;
Citroglucosolan;
Hemodez;
Albumin and other solutions.

At the first signs of an intestinal infection, it is very important to start taking drugs like Regidron or Citroglucosolan.

These drugs will not only help restore lost fluid, but will also replenish the body's reserves of potassium and sodium salts, which are washed out of it along with water.

The solutions should be taken in a few sips, every 10 to 15 minutes, alternating with water.

If this cannot be done, then infusion therapy is carried out in the infectious diseases department - colloidal drugs Hemodez or Albumin are administered intravenously using a dropper.

To cope with the poisons and toxins that “uninvited guests” produce in huge quantities, you need to drink sorbents. The list of these drugs is quite extensive.

When prescribing sorbents, the doctor is guided by the individual characteristics of the body, symptoms, and age of the patient:

Activated carbon;
Smecta;
Enterosgel;
Polypephane;
Carbolong et al.

All these drugs are harmless, therefore they are prescribed to both adults and children.

Probiotics in combination with prebiotics will do an excellent job of “restoring damaged intestinal microflora.”

You can also drink them to prevent intestinal infections:

Linux;
Bifidumbacterin;
Bificol;
Lactobacterin;
Polybacterin and others.

These preparations contain live bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which normalize intestinal activity, help strengthen the immune system, and improve metabolism.

Available in different forms, some in tablet form. They cannot be used together with antibiotics!

These are mandatory stages in the treatment of all intestinal infections without exception, but there are also others, not for all infections.

For the treatment of different types of infections

Antibiotic therapy in adult patients is carried out only for severe bacterial infections, such as dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera.

List of the most popular antibiotics for the treatment of CI:

Antibiotics in tablets are prescribed only to children over 8 years of age and adults, and only after vomiting has subsided. For young children, drugs are administered intramuscularly.

Contraindications for use: presence of serious kidney or liver diseases; pregnancy. A doctor must prescribe antibiotics!

Often prescribed:

Helminthox;
Pyrantel;
Vermox;
Nemozol;
Dekaris and others.

Antiviral drugs can be prescribed for those types of intestinal infections that are caused by viruses:

Arbidol;
Ingavirin;
Cycloferon and others.

But, as practice shows, in the midst of an illness they are of little use, so it is better to take these drugs for prevention during epidemics of stomach flu - this is what people call intestinal infections caused by viruses.

Symptom relievers

In some cases, for any type of pathogen, the following may also be prescribed:

antipyretics;
antiemetics;
antidiarrheals.

The latter drugs are prescribed strictly symptom-based.

Antipyretics are taken at a temperature of 38 degrees and above, which lasts a long time and does not go away on its own.

It is recommended not to lower the temperature below 38 degrees Celsius in either adults or children, so as not to interfere with the body itself fighting infection. An exception to this rule is the development of convulsive syndrome.

The most popular antipyretics:

Paracetamol;
ibuprofen;
combination drugs.

Antiemetic drugs are prescribed for persistent vomiting that poses a risk of dehydration.

Antiemetics are prescribed, as a rule, for adults; children are recommended to take antihistamines.

List of antiemetic drugs:

Metoclopramide;
Aminazine;
Diprazine and other drugs.

If the urge to vomit is not so frequent and allows a few sips of water to be absorbed, then you should not take antiemetics, since vomiting and diarrhea are natural ways for the body to eject foreign toxins.

Antidiarrheals are prescribed when a person literally cannot get up from the toilet, which also threatens dehydration.

If the diarrhea is not so debilitating, then these drugs are not prescribed for the same reason as antiemetics.

Antidiarrheal drugs are prescribed if the patient has problems with the heart.

Typically this is:

These drugs inhibit intestinal motility, due to which its work is partially restored. The number of bowel movements decreases, the pain in the abdominal area subsides.

The drugs are available in different forms, including tablets and capsules. Somatostatin is a hormonal drug.

Take care of your health, treat yourself competently! Incorrect diagnosis and treatment can lead to problems much worse than the usual stomach flu.

Entrust your health to a professional infectious disease doctor or gastroenterologist. Be healthy!

Modern medicine offers a wide range of medications for the intestines. Tablets for the intestines have different specific effects: some are able to normalize the intestinal microflora, others have an antibacterial effect, and others are used for prevention. Of all the abundance of medications, only a doctor will help a person choose a drug that is individually suitable for him, taking into account the health characteristics and condition of the patient.

Modern pharmacology offers a wide range of drugs for the treatment of intestinal diseases.

Indications for taking medications

Modern pharmacy cannot boast of producing completely safe medications that have no contraindications. Therefore, any medicine must be prescribed strictly according to the doctor's prescription. For internal use, a certain dosage of the drug is prescribed, taking into account the condition and individual characteristics of a person’s health. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.

Medicines for the intestines are presented in the following range:

Groups of drugs for intestinal treatment

Antibiotics

In case of intestinal infection, you will need to take antibiotics such as Alpha Normix or Neomycin.

Antibacterial drugs are used to treat intestinal infections with elevated body temperature and other symptoms of infection. It is worth remembering that an antibiotic treats an infection, not a virus. When choosing an antibiotic to get rid of an infection, you should take into account its indications for use and the doctor’s recommendations. Antibiotics aimed at getting rid of intestinal infections include:

An effective Italian medicine "Alpha Normix" (active ingredient - rifaximin). Used to treat infections of the gastrointestinal tract caused by pathogenic microorganisms that are sensitive to the drug.
The inexpensive domestic drug "Neomycin" is an antibacterial and bactericidal medicine with a wide spectrum of action. Indicated for the treatment of infected duodenal ulcers and heartburn.

Anti-inflammatory

Drugs with anti-inflammatory effects can stop the inflammatory process in the early stages of the disease. Tablets called Mesacol are considered effective. It is an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent that is used for intestinal diseases. Prescribed for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. There are also analogues of the drug, identical in composition and action. These include: “Asakol”, “Pentasa”, “Samezil”.

Helping to normalize stool

Prokinetics, in addition to resolving bowel problems, also relieve bloating.

The inflammatory process in the intestines is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, such as stool disorders and painful bowel movements; nausea and vomiting; feeling of discomfort in the stomach. In this case, it is necessary to take medications (prokinetics) that improve intestinal motility. Prokinetic tablets include: “Brulium”, “Gastropom”. Brulium tablets are indicated for the treatment of adults and have an antiemetic effect, and also relieve bloating and pain.

Laxatives will help promote weight loss (cleansing and rinsing the intestines) and relieve long-term constipation. These include: laxative drops “Guttalax” and “Picolax”, laxative medicine in the form of tablets “Senadexin” (the active ingredient is the senna plant). Conversely, signs of diarrhea can be eliminated with antidiarrheal medications. Fixing medications - “Loperamide” and “Fthalazol”. These medications help when the colon is inflamed, as well as with diarrhea (they allow stool to be consolidated),

Prebiotics and probiotics

Taking any antibiotic is accompanied by the use of medications to restore the intestinal microflora. These include: probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics repopulate the body with beneficial bacteria. Such medications include: “Linex”, “Bifidumbacterin”, “Yoghurt”. Pharmacies offer a wide range of probiotics based on live bifidobacteria (bacterial starters): “Vivo” starter, “Good food”.

Prebiotics promote the growth and reproduction of these beneficial bacteria, thereby helping to restore damaged microflora. Prebiotics include: syrups “Lactuvit”, “Portulac” and others. The products are absolutely safe for the human body and have virtually no contraindications. The only thing is that people with problems with high blood sugar are not recommended to use these medications due to the sugar content in them.

Antacids eliminate high acidity in the gastrointestinal tract.

Antacid (enveloping)

The action of antacid medications is aimed at getting rid of the problem - increased stomach acidity. Due to their enveloping properties, they are intended for the treatment of acid-related diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Medicines for the intestines are divided into those absorbed into the blood and non-absorbed. Examples of antacids absorbed into the blood: ordinary baking soda, Rennie. Non-absorbable antacids: Maalox, Almagel, Gastal.

Enzymes and enterosorbents

Enzymes are prescribed to people who have impaired intestinal absorption and motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract. The action of enzymes can help reduce abdominal pain, eliminate flatulence and improve metabolic processes (processing and assimilation of food). Examples of enzyme preparations that treat the mucous membrane of the colon and improve the process of food digestion: Pancreatin, Mezim, Festal, Digestal and their analogs.

Substances that absorb harmful toxins and remove them from the body are called enterosorbents. Enterosorbents have a good neutralizing effect on poisons and chemicals, act quickly and effectively. The most common sorbent in human practice is activated carbon tablets. Coal is used for poisoning, for cleaning and washing the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. Enterosorbents such as Smecta powder and Enterosgel paste are quite common for cleaning the mucous membrane.

Antispasmodics are sometimes used for spasms and pain in the intestines.

Antispasmodics

Antispasmodic drugs relieve pain and spasms of internal organs. These are medications that treat functional gastrointestinal disorders, diseases of the genital organs and urinary tract. These include tablets with fairly popular names: “No-shpa”, “Drospa Forte”, “Spazmolgon”. For young children, Plantex powder, Bobotik and Infacol drops are used to relieve intestinal colic, bloating and constipation.

In summer, the problem of poisoning becomes more pressing than ever - the heat creates favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogens. What medications really help get out of an unpleasant condition with minimal consequences?

Basically, intestinal infection develops against the background of infection with viruses: they are responsible for 70% of cases of infectious diarrhea in children and almost 90% in adults.

The penetration of intestinal pathogens into the body is accompanied by the release of a large amount of toxins, which cause characteristic symptoms. In this case, the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines becomes inflamed - gastroenteritis develops.

However, despite the sometimes painful manifestations of poisoning, its causative agents are doomed: all intestinal infections are self-limiting, that is, the bacteria or viruses that caused them die not because they are affected by drugs, but because this is how nature intended. In this regard, almost any intestinal infection is akin to ARVI - treat, don’t treat, but you will still recover no earlier than the pathogen reaches the end of its development. And, fortunately, his life is short-lived: within 1–7 days after the manifestation of the disease, as a rule, recovery occurs.

We are used to swallowing handfuls of pills with or without reason. In case of poisoning, including. But not all drugs that we consider irreplaceable and vital are really needed. Let's remember everyone by name.

1. Regulators of water and electrolyte balance

The drugs in this group head the short list of drugs that are really necessary for poisoning. These include combinations of dextrose, potassium and sodium chloride, sodium citrate (Regidron, Trihydron, Hydrovit).

Diarrhea and vomiting, the main companions of intestinal infection, contribute to fluid loss and disruption of the acid-base balance in the body. This is the main danger of poisoning, which, if the resulting deficiency is inadequately replenished, leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Therefore, treatment should primarily be aimed at quickly restoring reserves.

The formula for success is simple: how much fluid you have lost through vomiting and diarrhea, so much should enter the body with medications or, in extreme cases, with medicinal mineral water (of course, without gas). In cases where it is not possible to take rehydrants orally, intravenous drip administration of liquid, i.e., a dropper, is necessary.

2. Antidiarrheal drugs

Soviet and post-Soviet medicine is often aimed at a fierce fight against the symptoms of diseases, often regardless of whether this fight is beneficial for the body. Temperature? Antipyretic, despite the fact that this reduces the production of interferon and the immune response. Diarrhea? Antidiarrheal, despite the excretion of many toxins with feces.

Modern tactics for managing patients with acute intestinal infections are aimed at a conscious approach to symptom relief:

If diarrhea is not accompanied by dehydration, it is much healthier to endure it than to stop it.
If the problem becomes threatening and fluid loss cannot be restored with the help of medications, you still cannot do without antidiarrheal drugs.

The classic antidiarrheal drug is loperamide, which slows down intestinal motility and increases the transit time of intestinal contents. In addition, dioctahedral smectite has an antidiarrheal effect.

3. Adsorbents

The need to take adsorbents for intestinal infections is not entirely clear. Theoretically, adsorbents (activated carbon, pectin, dioctahedral smectite, etc.) bind toxins, preventing them from attaching to intestinal membranes.

However, for the drugs to work, they must enter the body before the toxins attach to the mucous membrane, which is not always possible to achieve in practice. And even if adsorbents are introduced on time, they, alas, do not prevent dehydration of the body, although they reduce the frequency of stool.

4. Probiotics

The use of drugs containing beneficial bacteria is aimed at restoring intestinal microflora. Research shows that they can indeed normalize its composition. However, of the entire considerable range, only products containing Lactobacillus casei GG (included in some dietary supplements, for example, Maxilak, Yogulakt) or Saccharomyces boulardii (Enterol) have a full-fledged evidence base. Their administration helps reduce the intensity of diarrhea and improve the condition of patients.

5. Antibacterial

Drugs that exhibit an antibacterial effect only work in cases of bacterial infection. In case of poisoning caused by viruses, they are useless, and it is these pathogens that most often become the cause of the disease.

It is sometimes possible to distinguish between a viral and bacterial infection by clinical manifestations. So, the first is more often accompanied by headache, muscle pain, weakness and fatigue, and the second is characterized by the appearance of blood in the stool. But most often it is almost impossible to clearly differentiate the two types of poisoning.

However, even when infected with bacteria, the advisability of taking antibacterial agents is questionable: after all, as we have already said, a few days after the manifestation of the disease, self-recovery occurs.

The exception is severe infections accompanied by high fever, blood in the stool, or dehydration, but in such situations the doctor must make the decision. By the way, in such cases hospitalization may be necessary.

Thus, from the long list of drugs that we consider almost a panacea for poisoning, we can limit ourselves to only two or three, or even just one drug - rehydrant. In this case, the treatment effect will be the same as when taking handfuls of tablets, but there will definitely be much fewer side effects. Which path to prefer is up to you, because in the end your health is in your hands.

Marina Pozdeeva

Photo istockphoto.com

Almost every person experiences an intestinal infection at least once in their life. Many people confuse this disease with food poisoning, but unlike it, the infection is provoked by pathogenic microorganisms that cause inflammation in the digestive tract, and is a serious and dangerous disease that requires detailed examination and qualified treatment. In this article, we review the symptoms and treatment of intestinal infection in adults, methods of diagnosis, first aid and prevention of these diseases.

Intestinal infection - what is it?

Acute intestinal infection is a term that unites a group of diseases transmitted by the fecal-oral route, caused by pathogenic microorganisms. The causative agents are bacteria and viruses.

Pathogenic agents can be found in food or transmitted from person to person. Microorganisms, entering the body through the digestive tract, begin to release dangerous toxins and actively multiply. They can penetrate the intestinal walls and cause an inflammatory process in them. Such diseases are always accompanied by severe intoxication and intestinal symptoms.

In the absence of proper and timely medical treatment, acute intestinal infections can lead to a significant deterioration in the patient’s condition and pose a threat to his life. It is believed that Children are the most sensitive to these diseases. But even in adults, these infectious diseases can occur in an acute form, leading to dehydration and malfunction of the entire body.

In the case of ordinary food poisoning, the disease is provoked not by bacteria, but by toxins formed in spoiled and low-quality products. Such conditions do not require bacterial therapy or long-term treatment. A poisoned person is not contagious and dangerous to others.

Types of intestinal infections, methods of their transmission

What diseases are intestinal infections and how can you get them? This question, at first glance, is simple, but many, confusing infections with poisoning, cannot give an accurate answer to it and recognize a life-threatening condition in time.

Intestinal infections include a large number of different diseases. Some of them occur in an acute form and pose a danger to the patient, while others pass safely and quickly.

The main route of transmission of intestinal infection is fecal-oral. A person can become infected from a sick person or from someone who has recently had the disease. Sometimes, in the period after an illness, people remain carriers of bacteria and are dangerous to others.

An outbreak of intestinal infection can develop in people who eat food prepared by an infectious person. Bacteria get into food through hands not washed after using the restroom.

Each type of intestinal infection has its own characteristics in the routes of transmission and spread among the population. Pathogens can spread not only from person to person. Some foods are natural reservoirs for them.

Below are the main types of intestinal infections and the characteristics of their transmission to humans.

Dysentery

Dysentery, or the disease of dirty hands, is an infectious disease that is widespread throughout the planet. Most often it develops in the hot season. Caused by Shigella bacteria. You can become infected from a sick person, as well as by drinking contaminated water, unwashed vegetables or fruits.

Outbreaks of dysentery are common in the summer. People may swallow contaminated water while swimming in ponds. The mentality of our people allows them to relieve themselves while swimming, thereby exposing other swimmers to the risk of infection.

salmonellosis

This intestinal infection is very insidious. Often Salmonellosis pathogens multiply in food products without changing their taste. You can become infected with salmonellosis by eating eggs, dairy and meat products, and sausages. At the same time, the food consumed can be fresh and of high quality, and not have any abnormal smell or taste.

Most often, a person becomes infected with salmonellosis by consuming chicken or duck eggs from infected birds. At the same time, the eggs are no different from normal ones; it is impossible to suspect infection without laboratory tests.

The bacteria caused by salmonellosis is found inside eggs, not on the shell. For some reason, there is an opinion among the population that if you wash an egg thoroughly, you can protect yourself from salmonellosis. Eggs certainly need to be washed, but this will not protect you from this intestinal bacterial infection.

Cholera

This intestinal disease is one of the most dangerous. A person can die in a matter of hours from loss of large amounts of water and severe intoxication..

Fortunately, in our time it does not happen often, its episodes are isolated. Cholera epidemics most often develop in the summer.

You can get sick by drinking contaminated water or swimming in bodies of water. A sick person can infect others while preparing food with dirty hands. Vibrio cholerae can be carried by flies.

Rotavirus

This viral intestinal disease is popularly called “intestinal flu”, since it manifests itself not only with symptoms from the digestive system, but with catarrhal symptoms characteristic of ARVI.

Rotavirus is a seasonal disease, and its outbreaks most often develop in the autumn-winter period.

You can get infected from a sick person.

This infection is transmitted by the fecal-oral route.

Enterovirus

Enterovirus outbreaks are very common. This pathogen can be transmitted from person to person.

Also it can accumulate in soil, food. The virus can remain active for a long time while remaining on personal hygiene items.

A person who has had an enterovirus infection is dangerous to others for a long time and may remain a carrier of the infection for a certain period.

Clinical picture of intestinal infections

Signs of an intestinal infection do not appear immediately after infection. Usually, There is an incubation period between contact with the infection and the appearance of the first symptoms. This is the time required for pathogenic microbes to penetrate the intestinal walls, reproduce and produce toxins.

The duration of the incubation period is individual for each pathogen. For example, with salmonellosis it can last from 6 hours to 3 days, and in the case of cholera - 1-5 days.

Below are the main symptoms of gastrointestinal infections:

Hyperthermia is an increase in body temperature. Its numbers can reach 38-39 degrees. This is due to severe intoxication and acute inflammatory process developing in the intestinal walls.
Nausea and vomiting. At first, the patient may vomit food debris, then the vomit consists of gastric juice, bile and liquid taken orally.
Abdominal pain. It can be acute or aching, localized in different parts of the abdomen. Dysentery is characterized by tenesmus - acute pain during defecation.
Diarrhea. The type and consistency of stool depends on the type of pathogen. So, with cholera, the stool is watery, reminiscent of rice water. Salmonellosis is characterized by loose, green, foul-smelling stools. With dysentery, streaks of blood and mucus can be seen in the stool.
General weakness and malaise - develop due to intoxication and loss of large amounts of fluid.
Increased gas formation, flatulence, bloating. These processes may be accompanied by severe intestinal colic.
In the case of rotavirus, the patient develops catarrhal symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, cough.

With an intestinal infection, dehydration can develop. With vomiting and diarrhea, the body loses a large amount of fluid and essential microelements. The patient's pulse quickens, blood pressure decreases, breathing quickens, and the skin turns pale. Against the background of this condition, convulsions, disturbances in heart rhythm and consciousness may develop.

First aid for intestinal infections

Help with the development of an intestinal infection should be provided in the first minutes of the onset of symptoms. The development of this disease can be determined by a rapidly rising temperature and profuse stool, and a deterioration in the person’s condition. When the first clinical signs of this disease develop, you need to call an ambulance.

Remember that self-treatment of intestinal infections in adults at home is very dangerous and can lead to serious consequences. Only a doctor, after a detailed examination of the patient, can prescribe the correct etiological treatment.

While waiting for doctors to arrive, begin providing first aid to the poisoned person. Thanks to it, you can slightly alleviate the patient’s condition and reduce the severity of intoxication syndrome.

Below are the main steps you can take to help a sick person before the ambulance team arrives.

Gastric lavage

Why rinse it, you ask, if intestinal poisoning occurs after a certain incubation period, the dangerous food has long left the gastric cavity? In fact, this procedure will help remove some of the toxins and waste products of microorganisms and will significantly improve the patient’s well-being. It should also be taken into account that acute poisoning may manifest itself at first in similar symptoms, in which cleansing the stomach is the main emergency life-saving procedure.

For gastric lavage, you will need plain water at room temperature. You need to drink 2-3 glasses of water in one gulp and induce a vomiting attack by pressing your finger on the root of the tongue.

According to modern first aid protocols, The use of potassium permanganate solution for gastric lavage is not recommended by doctors. The effectiveness of this method is no greater than using ordinary water. An improperly prepared rinsing solution based on potassium permanganate can cause acute poisoning and burns of the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach.

Cleansing enema

She helps remove toxins formed in the intestines under the influence of pathogenic bacteria. It is carried out on the basis of simple boiled water. To carry it out you will need an Esmarch cup, baby cream or Vaseline. For enemas, you should use only water at room temperature. Hot and cold liquids are contraindicated.

Sorbents

Any sorbents, for example, sorbex, atoxil, smecta or activated carbon for intestinal infections, can be taken at the stage of first aid. These drugs help neutralize and remove toxins from the intestines and reduce the level of intoxication syndrome.

Before taking the drug, you should carefully read the instructions and check the expiration date of the drug. The recommended dosage should be observed and not exceeded.

Drink plenty of fluids

Fluid must enter the body in large quantities. It can be plain or mineral water, weak black or green tea. You should drink constantly, little by little. For example, five sips every 10 minutes.

The rest of the assistance will be provided by ambulance and hospital doctors. Basic drugs against intestinal infection will be prescribed after a detailed examination of the patient and diagnosis.

Establishing diagnosis

If an intestinal infection is suspected, patients are hospitalized in the infectious diseases department. The doctor examines the patient, collects anamnesis, asks him about the foods he has consumed over the past few days, and the catering places where he has eaten. In order to select the correct etiological medicine for an intestinal infection, you need to make an accurate diagnosis, identify the pathogen, and also assess the condition of the internal organs and the entire body as a whole.

The following are the main methods of laboratory and instrumental examination if an intestinal infection is suspected:

A complete blood count allows you to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections.
A biochemical blood test is aimed at identifying disorders of internal organs and electrolyte imbalances in the body.
Bacteriological examination of stool is carried out to identify the pathogen. It can be used to determine the type of intestinal infection. This is necessary to prescribe etiological treatment.
An electrocardiogram is necessary for the timely detection of rhythm disturbances that may occur against the background of water-electrolyte shifts.
A general urine test is needed to assess the condition of the kidneys, which are very sensitive to various intoxications and infections.
An ultrasound examination of internal organs is carried out to identify possible disorders in the pancreas, liver, gall bladder and kidneys.

This list of examinations can be expanded or narrowed by the attending physician depending on the clinical picture and condition of the patient, and the results of tests already received.

note that diagnostics and diagnosis are carried out in parallel with the provision of necessary assistance to the patient, combating intoxication and dehydration.

Treatment of intestinal infection

How to treat intestinal infection in adults at home? The answer to this question is very simple - no way. Do not risk your health by self-medicating. Many people are afraid of infectious diseases departments and think that they can catch some other disease there. In fact, in the hospital, all patients are in separate isolated boxes or divided by type of disease. The risk of catching something there is very small. But the possibility of getting complications with self-treatment is very high.

So what to do? It is necessary to agree to the hospitalization offered by the ambulance team. The hospital doctor will select the necessary medications to treat the infection and adjust the water and electrolyte balance. To quickly cure this disease, you need to strictly follow all his recommendations and adhere to the appointments.

Below are the main components of the treatment of intestinal infection:

Rehydration therapy is aimed at combating dehydration and intoxication. First, the patient is given intravenous drips of the necessary solutions, since due to constant vomiting he cannot drink water. Then, after stabilization of the condition, a plentiful drink is prescribed. You can drink plain water or special solutions, for example, rehydron.
Antibiotics are the main tablets for intestinal infections of bacterial etiology. Appointed by a doctor after identifying the pathogen. They are selected individually.
Diet. During the first few days, you can only eat rice water or boiled oatmeal porridge with a slimy consistency.
Sorbents are prescribed to remove toxins from the intestinal cavity. They must be taken separately from other medicines.
Enzymes. They are used to improve digestion and unload the pancreas.
Antacids are prescribed for heartburn and abdominal pain. These symptoms often manifest chronic gastritis, which can worsen due to the disease.
After completing the course of antibiotics, drugs are prescribed that restore the intestinal microflora.

The patient is discharged after undergoing repeated stool tests. If microorganisms are not detected in them, the person is considered not dangerous and not capable of causing infection to the people around him.

Also, in parallel with the treatment prescribed by the doctor, some folk remedies for intestinal infections can be used. The safest and healthiest is chamomile tea.. It is considered a natural antiseptic and helps relieve inflammation from the intestinal walls. A decoction of flax seeds can also be used. They treat exacerbation of gastritis. You can take it if you feel discomfort in the stomach or frequent heartburn.

Prevention of intestinal infections

How can you protect yourself and your loved ones from this terrible infectious disease? Unfortunately, There are no vaccines or vaccinations against intestinal infections, or 100% of current prevention methods. No one is immune from the development of this disease. But thanks to simple recommendations, you can reduce the risk of its development to a minimum.

Below we have collected tips for you that will help in preventing intestinal infections:

Practice good personal hygiene and always wash your hands before eating, even before a small snack.
Store meat products and eggs only in the refrigerator, separate from prepared meals.
Buy products only from licensed markets or stores. Avoid spontaneous bazaars.
Do not eat cream cakes during the hot season. At this time, the risk of developing an infection there increases significantly.
Don't buy street food. Very often, when preparing it, basic hygiene is not observed and all sanitary standards are violated.

Intestinal infections are dangerous diseases and can be contracted from a sick person. When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should seek medical help. Self-medication is a dangerous and thoughtless act that can lead to serious consequences.. There is no need to search on the Internet for how to treat this disease; you should immediately contact qualified specialists. All medications are prescribed by a doctor after examining and examining the patient. Their action is aimed at fighting infection, reducing intoxication and dehydration, and restoring the digestive system.