"You can also get infected by simply touching a doorknob, faucet or switch in the toilet that the infected person has previously touched. This often happens on vacation, so there is nothing surprising in a large number of cases. Less commonly, the virus remains on poorly washed fruit or in stale food, "the pediatrician explained.
Before the first symptoms appear, it usually takes from 12 hours to three to five days, the specialist warned.
"This is the incubation period of the disease, there are usually no complaints during it. Then there are characteristic signs of rotavirus infection - temperature above 39 ° C, vomiting, watery diarrhea and twisting pain in the abdomen. Because of fever, rotavirus infection is often called intestinal flu. In addition to vomiting and diarrhea, the symptoms are really similar to SARS: headache, lethargy, runny nose, sore throat, "the doctor said.
Treatment for rotavirus infection will depend on the severity of the disease, symptoms, and complications.
"To restore the water-electrolyte balance, oral rehydration is usually prescribed - taking special solutions containing glucose and mineral salts. In more severe cases, infusion therapy is connected and solutions are injected drip into a vein. In addition, symptomatic agents are used for treatment: from diarrhea, vomiting, as well as adsorbents that collect viral toxins, and probiotics to restore the balance of normal intestinal microflora. To speed up recovery, it is necessary to follow a sparing diet, "Almasri warned.
Adults usually easily cope with the infection and recover in an average of three to seven days, and in children the disease can lead to serious consequences. Hygiene rules help protect yourself and your child from infection, the interlocutor of RT explained.
"On vacation, adults and children should remember to wash their hands under warm running water and soap. It is especially important to do this after returning from the street, playing on the beach, going to the toilet, as well as before preparing and eating. In addition, it is important to always rinse vegetables, fruits and herbs well before use, and store ready-made food only in the refrigerator. The fact is that even at room temperature, bacteria multiply in it in about two hours, and in the heat their number can reach dangerous levels even earlier. For the same reason, you should not take ready-made food with you to the beach if you do not have the opportunity to put it in a thermal bag, "the doctor warned.
For children, there is another effective way of prevention - vaccination. It does not protect against the disease for good, but it helps to prevent serious complications.
"Vaccination against rotavirus infection is done in two or three stages, the timing of administration varies for different vaccines. The drug is dripped under the tongue for children aged two, four and six months or at the age of two and four months. Vaccination must be completed before the child reaches the age of eight months," the expert concluded.
Earlier, Ekaterina Kashukh, a gastroenterologist, candidate of medical sciences, an expert at the Gemotest laboratory, said in an interview with RT that in the heat, water consumption is recommended to be increased to 70-80 ml per 1 kg and even up to 100 ml if a person experiences physical exertion.