abdominal influenza

A abdominal influenza, Gastrointestinal infection or gastroenteritis is an infection or disease of the gastrointestinal tract. It is mostly triggered by bacteria or viruses and often occurs in children who often ingest the germs orally through their environment.

What is gastrointestinal flu?

Many people know gastroenteritis under the term of Abdominal influenza. This generally refers to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The first signs of this are vomiting and / or diarrhea. There are various reasons for this.

This type of disease can be treated with symptomatic therapy. Hygienic measures are particularly helpful here as a preventive measure so as not to contract gastrointestinal flu.

Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly, especially after moving around in public places, is a simple preventive measure.

causes

The most common causes of a disease Abdominal influenza are viruses, bacteria or protozoa (single cells). How the symptoms subsequently develop from the infection varies considerably. As a rule, the pathogens destroy the mucous membrane to varying degrees. The problem that arises from this is that the gastrointestinal tract no longer digests the newly ingested food.

As a result, the undigested food binds water and the stool becomes thin. With some types of gastrointestinal flu, bacterial poisons (so-called toxins) are produced, which lead to an increased loss of water or salt through the mucous membrane cells of the intestine. Bacterial toxins can get into the body through spoiled food.In the case of gastrointestinal flu, this can lead to inflammation of the stomach lining. "Classic" food poisoning occurs.

Another way to get sick from "toxic gastroenteritis" is through medication. Another physical cause can be the disease caused by ionizing radiation. Cancer treatment is an example. This damages the gastric or intestinal mucosa to such an extent that it can no longer fulfill its digestive function.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

With gastroenteritis, the first symptoms and symptoms appear within a few hours. Severity and severity depend, among other things, on the type of pathogen and the patient's physical condition. Typically there is nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Some people vomit several times an hour, often through their nose.

In extreme cases, the vomit can get stuck in the airways and cause pneumonia. The diarrhea usually appears slimy and light, in severe cases of gastrointestinal flu it is very watery. In addition, there is usually abdominal pain that occurs at intervals and initially subsides after using the toilet. These gastrointestinal symptoms are accompanied by general symptoms.

Colds and flu-like infections often lead to fever, headaches, aching limbs and fatigue. Sometimes these symptoms appear before the vomiting diarrhea, in other cases they appear at the same time. In severe cases, gastrointestinal flu can lead to dehydration, nerve disorders, or intestinal obstruction. Inflammation of the colon is also possible in the course of gastrointestinal flu. In some patients, the disease is completely symptom-free and disappears after a few days without major symptoms.

Course of disease

The transfer of a abdominal influenza occurs mostly through the fecal-oral smear infection. Hands that are not washed properly are enough to allow infectious stool to get into the food and this in turn via the mouth into the gastrointestinal tract of the next patient. Salmonella is also transmitted in this way. The longer naturally the "enriched" food is stored, the more the pathogens have the opportunity to multiply.

In the case of noroviruses, on the other hand, it is sufficient to be near a patient who is vomiting in a torrent. Here, droplets containing pathogens can "float" in the air and be picked up by bystanders, who then also develop gastrointestinal flu. The incubation time (duration), i.e. the time that elapses from the ingestion of the pathogen to the signs of the first symptoms, is between 4 to 48 hours.

It starts with loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting as the virus migrates from top to bottom. If these signs disappear, the diarrhea follows. The gastrointestinal flu can also be accompanied by a fever, as is usually the case with viral diseases.

Complications

In most cases, gastrointestinal flu will not cause any particular complications or serious symptoms. Most flu can be treated relatively well with home remedies. Treatment by and with the help of medication is only necessary in severe cases.

As a rule, complications can occur if the gastrointestinal flu is not treated and the person concerned adheres to his diet unchanged and does not go easy on the stomach. This leads to diarrhea or vomiting. It is not uncommon for those affected to suffer from flatulence and a general feeling of illness. The patient becomes exhausted and tired, so that everyday life is significantly restricted. With gastrointestinal flu, those affected often have to go to the toilet and can no longer hold their stool.

This leads to restrictions in everyday working life. Treating gastrointestinal flu does not lead to complications. The triggering bacteria can be treated with medication so that the symptoms of the flu can be reduced again relatively quickly. However, the patient must avoid contact with other people in order not to infect them. Life expectancy is generally not reduced by gastrointestinal flu.

When should you go to the doctor?

In the case of irregularities in the gastrointestinal area, a doctor should always be consulted. If there is an increase in existing complaints within a short time, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. The gastrointestinal flu is subject to a high risk of infection, so caution is advised when dealing with other people. In addition, the pathogens spread in the organism within a few hours and contribute to a rapid deterioration in the state of health.

If there are noises in the stomach or intestines, if flatulence occurs or if the person concerned suffers pain, he / she needs medication. If you have diarrhea, loss of control of the sphincter muscle or cramps in the abdomen, see a doctor. A drop in the usual level of performance, fatigue and an inner weakness are indications that should be investigated. If symptoms such as fever, sweating or increased irritability occur, the symptoms should be clarified by a doctor.

Consultation with a doctor is necessary in the event of behavior problems, a general loss of strength, fatigue, increased tiredness and sleep disorders. If you experience loss of appetite, headache and body aches, nausea and vomiting, a doctor's visit is required. Vomiting, diarrhea, a feeling of dryness inside the body, an increased need for fluid intake, or an obstruction of the intestine are reasons for a doctor's visit.

Treatment & Therapy

As mentioned earlier, treatment consists of one abdominal influenza from symptomatic measures. The first thing to do is to compensate for the water and salt lost. There are also glucose-salt mixtures (so-called rehydration solutions). If this administration does not help in the case of gastrointestinal flu, the patient must be given an infusion.

In addition, a slow diet can rebuild the damaged mucous membrane. Care should be taken to ensure that carbohydrates are easily digested, e.g. contained in rusks, white bread or pretzel sticks. The previously recommended food break is of no use, as the relevant organ is only shut down and has no incentive to resume its activity.

Another possibility is the administration of a probiotic: freeze-dried, natural colon colonists, which reduce vomiting and influence bowel function. However, particular attention should be paid to the side effects.

Outlook & forecast

The outlook for gastrointestinal flu is good. The disease is considered harmless. There is usually no risk of death. Even patients who do not consult a doctor will recover after two to six days. Medication is not necessary for this. A gentle treatment and unsweetened herbal teas are enough. Old people and small children are considered to be at risk. They sometimes have to compensate for their loss of fluid and salt with an infusion.

If the symptoms include a high temperature and blood in the stool, a visit to the doctor is inevitable. This also applies if the signs have been without improvement for more than three days. In this case, the body's defenses cannot fight the pathogens themselves. The doctor can support the healing process with appropriate medication. In this case, too, recovery is usually uncomplicated.

It should be noted that people who have had gastrointestinal flu will carry the pathogen around with them for another week or two. They are excreted during bowel movements. Their amount decreases with each elimination. However, there is a tendency for other people who use the same sanitary facilities to become infected. The risk of transmission can be minimized through adequate hygiene.

Aftercare

The flu is a serious illness, but in many cases it heals without complications. Nevertheless, consistent follow-up care is required to avoid a flare-up of the disease or superinfection with bacteria. Follow-up care is initiated by the attending physician, usually the family doctor, and monitored if necessary.

Patients with serious or chronic comorbidities, pregnant women, people with a weak immune system, the elderly and small children should especially heed the follow-up instructions from their doctor. Then the gastrointestinal flu can completely subside without relapses to a high degree. A healthy lifestyle and protection are the two factors on which follow-up care is based.

First and foremost, this includes not stressing the body too early. Sport may only be practiced after consulting a doctor, in order not to expose the cardiovascular system too early to a great deal of stress. The immune system also needs time to rest in order to be able to regenerate sustainably. A sufficient amount of drinking serves to stabilize the circulation and to compensate for fluid loss through sweating in the case of a fever.

A healthy diet also stabilizes the immune system of the body, which is often severely weakened by gastrointestinal flu. The effects of cold should be avoided during follow-up care. Cold feet are just as unfavorable in this context as drafts. Getting enough sleep also helps the body to regenerate.

You can do that yourself

In the case of gastrointestinal flu, especially in connection with a fever, it is necessary that the sick person does not leave the house and stays in bed if possible. Firstly, the danger of infecting others is banned and secondly, this is the quickest way to cure the disease. Placing a hot water bottle on the stomach has a beneficial effect and calms the stomach and intestines. A light over-the-counter pain reliever helps you feel better faster. If the person concerned still feels very dull and the fever does not want to go down, cold leg compresses can be helpful. For this, wet towels are placed around the calves and regularly exchanged. The cold quickly causes the body temperature to drop.

Light meals such as clear broth and rusks do not put too much strain on the gastrointestinal tract, so that this area can recover quickly and the patient is soon healthy. It is absolutely important that he drinks a lot in order to regulate his fluid balance. Herbal teas made from chamomile or peppermint as well as mineral water or apple juice spritzer should be chosen here.

If the symptoms of gastrointestinal flu have not subsided after a week, it would be advisable for the sick person to consult the doctor in order to rule out further causes and possibly have special medication prescribed.