Intestinal Infections

Intestinal infections

Buying pickled mushrooms from grandmothers near the metro, eating expired canned food, going on a trip and simply forgetting to wash our hands and fruits and vegetables before eating, we risk contracting an intestinal infection. At best, this means sitting in the restroom for many hours. At worst - an infectious diseases hospital and even death. What it is?

Intestinal infections are a whole group of contagious diseases that primarily damage the digestive tract. There are more than 30 such diseases in total. Of these, the most harmless is the so-called food poisoning, and the most dangerous is cholera.

Cause

The causative agents of intestinal infections can be: bacteria (salmonellosis, dysentery, cholera), their toxins (botulism), as well as viruses (enterovirus). From patients and carriers of infection, microbes are released into the external environment with feces, vomit, and sometimes urine.

Almost all pathogens of intestinal infections are extremely tenacious. They are able to exist for a long time in soil, water and even on various objects. For example, on spoons, plates, door handles and furniture.

Intestinal microbes are not afraid of the cold, but still prefer to live where it is warm and humid. They multiply especially quickly in dairy products, minced meat, jelly, jelly, and also in water (especially in the summer).

Causative agents of intestinal infections enter the body of a healthy person through the mouth: with food, water or through dirty hands.

What's happening?

From the mouth, microbes enter the stomach, and then into the intestines, where they begin to multiply intensively. The cause of the disease is the poisons that microorganisms secrete and the damage to the digestive tract that they cause.

Intestinal infections can occur as acute gastritis (with vomiting), enteritis (diarrhea), gastroenteritis (with both vomiting and diarrhea), colitis (with blood in the excrement and stool disorders), enterocolitis (with damage to the entire intestine).

After microbes enter the body, the disease begins within 6-48 hours. People get intestinal infections more often in the summer. This is due to the fact that in the heat we drink more liquid, which means that the gastric juice that kills harmful microbes is diluted.

Why is it dangerous?

All intestinal infections are dangerous because dehydration occurs due to vomiting or diarrhea. The result can be kidney failure and other serious complications.

How to recognize?

Intestinal infections, like all other infectious diseases, always happen unexpectedly. At the very beginning of the disease, a person feels weak, lethargic, his appetite may deteriorate, he may get a headache, and even have a fever.

Very similar to poisoning or even a banal acute respiratory infection. It’s okay, the person thinks, swallows aspirin or activated charcoal and waits for him to feel better.

However, it doesn't get any better. On the contrary, new problems appear: nausea and vomiting, cramping abdominal pain, diarrhea mixed with mucus and pus (in dysentery - mixed with blood). Thirst and chills may bother you.

Diagnostics

It is very important to distinguish an intestinal infection from other diseases with similar symptoms. To do this, if you have warning signs, you need to contact a gastroenterologist.

He will either find out the cause of the illness himself, or refer the patient for a consultation with an infectious disease specialist. To make a correct diagnosis, the doctor will order a stool test.

Treatment

If the patient’s condition worsens before your eyes, immediately call an ambulance, and before it arrives, provide first aid to the victim.

Treatment of intestinal infections is complex and includes: combating microbial poisons, the microbes themselves, as well as dehydration.

Prevention

To protect yourself from acute intestinal infections, it is enough to follow these simple rules:

1. Drink water and milk only when boiled
2. Wash vegetables and fruits with hot water and soap
3. Follow the rules and shelf life