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Cold chills diarrhea. Stomach Pain and Chills: 12 Common Causes and Their Treatments

What are the most frequent causes of stomach pain accompanied by chills. How can these conditions be effectively treated. What symptoms should prompt immediate medical attention.

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The Common Cold: More Than Just a Runny Nose

The common cold is a frequent culprit behind stomach discomfort and chills. While most people associate colds with respiratory symptoms, they can also affect the digestive system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that adults typically experience two to three colds annually, with children often facing even more frequent bouts.

Common cold symptoms include:

  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sore throat
  • Cough
  • Mild fatigue
  • Occasional stomach discomfort
  • Chills or low-grade fever

How long do cold symptoms typically last? Most people find relief within 7-10 days, though a lingering cough may persist for up to two weeks. Treatment primarily involves supportive care, including rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms.

Gastroenteritis: The Infamous Stomach Flu

Gastroenteritis, often referred to as the “stomach flu,” is a common cause of stomach pain and chills. This condition involves inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically due to viral or bacterial infections. In the United States alone, an estimated 179 million cases of acute gastroenteritis occur annually, making it one of the most prevalent illnesses.

Recognizing gastroenteritis symptoms is crucial for proper management:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Low-grade fever or chills
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches

How long does gastroenteritis typically last? Symptoms can persist for up to a week. Treatment focuses on rest, staying hydrated, consuming soft foods, and using over-the-counter medications to alleviate discomfort.

Salmonella: A Common Food-Borne Culprit

Salmonella infections are alarmingly common in the United States, causing approximately 1.2 million illnesses each year according to CDC data. This bacterial infection typically results from consuming contaminated food or water.

Identifying Salmonella infection symptoms:

  • Diarrhea
  • Fever or chills
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache

When do Salmonella symptoms typically appear? Symptoms usually manifest within 12-72 hours of infection. Most cases resolve on their own within a few days, with self-care measures providing relief. However, severe cases may require medical intervention, including hospitalization in extreme situations.

Urinary Tract Infections: A Painful Predicament

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria or other microorganisms invade the urinary system. Women are particularly susceptible, with 40-60% experiencing at least one UTI in their lifetime.

Common UTI symptoms include:

  • Increased urinary frequency and urgency
  • Burning sensation during urination
  • Cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink-tinged urine
  • Fever or chills
  • Pelvic or lower back pain
  • Passing small amounts of urine frequently

How are UTIs typically treated? Most UTIs require antibiotic treatment prescribed by a healthcare provider. In the meantime, home remedies such as increasing fluid intake, avoiding caffeine, and applying a heating pad to the abdomen can help alleviate discomfort.

Kidney Stones: Small Crystals, Big Pain

Kidney stones form when minerals and salts accumulate in the kidneys, creating hard deposits. A 2018 review in the journal Advances in Urology suggests that approximately 1 in 11 people in the United States will develop kidney stones at some point in their lives.

Recognizing kidney stone symptoms:

  • Severe pain in the side, back, or lower abdomen
  • Pain or burning sensation during urination
  • Frequent urination
  • Blood in the urine
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever and chills (if an infection is present)

Can kidney stones pass on their own? Small kidney stones may indeed pass through the urinary tract without intervention. Drinking plenty of fluids and taking pain relievers can help manage discomfort during this process. However, larger stones may require medical procedures or surgery for removal.

Prostatitis: An Inflamed Prostate Problem

Prostatitis, the inflammation of the prostate gland, affects approximately 8.2% of men and is the most common urological diagnosis in males under 50. Bacterial prostatitis, caused by a bacterial infection, can lead to a range of uncomfortable symptoms.

Common prostatitis symptoms include:

  • Difficulty urinating
  • Flu-like symptoms, including chills
  • Cloudy or bloody urine
  • Frequent urination
  • Pain in the abdomen, lower back, genitals, or groin
  • Painful urination and ejaculation

How is prostatitis treated? Treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics to address the underlying infection. Additionally, other medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms. Lifestyle modifications, such as using heating pads and making dietary changes, can also provide relief.

Mononucleosis: The “Kissing Disease”

Infectious mononucleosis, commonly known as mono or the “kissing disease,” is transmitted through saliva. This viral infection can cause a variety of symptoms, including stomach pain and chills.

Identifying mononucleosis symptoms:

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Fever and chills
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
  • Skin rash
  • Headache
  • Abdominal discomfort

How long does it take for mono symptoms to appear? Symptoms typically manifest 4-6 weeks after infection and can persist for up to two months. Treatment focuses on rest, hydration, and over-the-counter pain relievers. In some cases, medications may be necessary to address secondary infections.

Pneumonia: A Serious Lung Infection

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs. It is a leading cause of hospitalization in both adults and children in the United States, highlighting its potential severity.

Common pneumonia symptoms include:

  • Chest pain
  • Chills and fever
  • Cough (often productive)
  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite

How is pneumonia diagnosed and treated? Diagnosis typically involves a physical exam, chest X-ray, and blood tests. Treatment depends on the severity and cause of the pneumonia, ranging from rest and hydration for mild cases to hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics for more severe infections.

Appendicitis: A Surgical Emergency

Appendicitis, the inflammation of the appendix, is a medical emergency that requires prompt attention. While the exact cause is often unclear, it can lead to serious complications if left untreated.

Recognizing appendicitis symptoms:

  • Sudden pain that begins around the navel and shifts to the lower right abdomen
  • Pain that worsens with movement or coughing
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Low-grade fever that may worsen as the illness progresses
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Constipation or diarrhea

How is appendicitis treated? The standard treatment for appendicitis is surgical removal of the appendix, known as an appendectomy. In some cases, antibiotics may be used as an initial treatment, particularly if surgery is not immediately available or if the patient is not a good surgical candidate.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Chronic Digestive Distress

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a term that encompasses chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These disorders involve long-term inflammation of the digestive tract and can cause significant discomfort.

Common IBD symptoms include:

  • Abdominal pain and cramping
  • Persistent diarrhea
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite

How is IBD managed? Treatment for IBD is typically long-term and may involve a combination of medications, dietary changes, and in some cases, surgery. The goal is to reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and prevent complications.

Endometriosis: Hidden Pelvic Pain

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This can cause severe pain, especially during menstrual periods, and may lead to fertility issues.

Identifying endometriosis symptoms:

  • Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
  • Pain during or after sexual intercourse
  • Pain with bowel movements or urination
  • Excessive bleeding during periods or between periods
  • Fatigue
  • Bloating
  • Nausea

How is endometriosis diagnosed and treated? Diagnosis often involves a combination of physical exams, imaging tests, and sometimes laparoscopic surgery. Treatment options range from pain medications and hormonal therapies to surgical interventions, depending on the severity of symptoms and the patient’s goals.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While many causes of stomach pain and chills can be managed at home, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention:

  • Severe, persistent abdominal pain
  • High fever (over 103°F or 39.4°C)
  • Bloody stools or persistent diarrhea
  • Signs of dehydration (extreme thirst, dark urine, dizziness)
  • Difficulty breathing or chest pain
  • Sudden, severe headache accompanied by neck stiffness
  • Persistent vomiting

Is it possible to prevent stomach pain and chills? While not all causes can be prevented, maintaining good hygiene practices, staying up-to-date on vaccinations, practicing safe food handling, and managing stress can help reduce the risk of many conditions that cause these symptoms.

Diagnostic Approaches for Stomach Pain and Chills

When a patient presents with stomach pain and chills, healthcare providers may use various diagnostic tools to determine the underlying cause:

  1. Physical examination
  2. Medical history review
  3. Blood tests
  4. Urine analysis
  5. Stool samples
  6. Imaging studies (X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds)
  7. Endoscopy or colonoscopy in certain cases

How long does it typically take to receive a diagnosis? The time frame can vary widely depending on the complexity of the condition and the tests required. Some diagnoses can be made during the initial visit, while others may require several days or even weeks of testing and observation.

Lifestyle Factors and Their Impact on Digestive Health

Various lifestyle factors can influence the likelihood of experiencing stomach pain and chills:

  • Diet: Consuming a balanced, nutritious diet can support overall digestive health.
  • Stress management: Chronic stress can exacerbate digestive issues and weaken the immune system.
  • Sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system and digestive function.
  • Exercise: Regular physical activity can promote healthy digestion and boost immunity.
  • Hydration: Drinking enough water is essential for proper digestive function and overall health.

Can probiotics help prevent digestive issues? While research is ongoing, some studies suggest that probiotics may help maintain a healthy gut microbiome and potentially reduce the risk of certain digestive problems. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

The Role of Nutrition in Managing Digestive Symptoms

Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in managing and preventing many digestive issues. Consider the following dietary strategies:

  • Incorporate fiber-rich foods to promote regular bowel movements
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption, which can irritate the digestive system
  • Avoid trigger foods that may exacerbate symptoms (common triggers include spicy foods, fatty foods, and dairy products for some individuals)
  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals to ease digestion
  • Consider keeping a food diary to identify potential trigger foods or eating patterns

Are there specific diets that can help manage digestive issues? Some individuals find relief through specific dietary approaches such as the low FODMAP diet for irritable bowel syndrome or the Mediterranean diet for overall digestive health. However, it’s essential to work with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to develop a personalized nutrition plan.

Emerging Research and Future Treatments

The field of gastroenterology is constantly evolving, with new research shedding light on the complex interplay between the digestive system, the immune system, and overall health. Some areas of ongoing research include:

  • The gut microbiome and its role in various health conditions
  • Novel treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases
  • Personalized medicine approaches for digestive disorders
  • The connection between mental health and digestive health
  • Advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques

What potential breakthroughs are on the horizon for digestive health? While it’s difficult to predict specific breakthroughs, areas such as microbiome-based therapies, targeted immunotherapies, and advanced diagnostic tools show promise for improving the diagnosis and treatment of various digestive conditions in the future.

Understanding the various causes of stomach pain and chills is crucial for proper management and timely treatment. While many conditions can be managed with home care and over-the-counter remedies, it’s important to recognize when professional medical attention is necessary. By staying informed and attentive to your body’s signals, you can take proactive steps to maintain digestive health and overall well-being.

Stomach pain and chills: 12 causes

Here, we list some of the common causes of stomach pain and chills:

1. The common cold

Most adults can expect to have two or three colds every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children usually have more.

The common cold causes symptoms including:

Symptoms typically improve after 7–10 days, though a cough can persist for 2 weeks or more.

Treatment involves home remedies such as resting, staying hydrated, and taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

2. Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis occurs when the stomach and intestines are inflamed due to a bacterial or viral infection.

Viral gastroenteritis, which some doctors call stomach flu, is the most common form. Other causes include reactions to food or medications.

In the United States, around 179 million cases of acute gastroenteritis each year, according to a study in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. This makes it one of the most common illnesses.

Signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis include:

  • diarrhea
  • headache
  • low-grade fever or chills
  • muscle aches
  • nausea
  • stomach cramps
  • vomiting

Symptoms can persist for up to a week. Some treatment options include resting, staying hydrated, eating soft foods, and taking OTC medications.

3.

Salmonella infection

Infection with Salmonella bacteria is a common occurrence in the U.S. It causes 1.2 million illnesses annually, according to the CDC. People typically get the infection as a result of consuming contaminated food or water.

Symptoms usually begin within 12–72 hours of infection and may include:

  • diarrhea
  • fever or chills
  • headache
  • nausea
  • stomach cramps
  • vomiting

Treatment is typically unnecessary, and most people recover within a few days. During this time, self-care measures can reduce discomfort. People with severe symptoms may require medication or even hospitalization.

4. Urinary tract infection

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria or other microbes infect the urinary tract. Females have a higher risk of developing UTIs than males do, with 40–60 percent of females experiencing one in their lifetime.

Symptoms may include:

  • an increase in urinary frequency
  • an increase in urinary urgency
  • burning pain when urinating
  • cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
  • fever or chills
  • pain in the pelvis or back, which may radiate to the abdomen
  • passing small amounts of urine regularly

Most UTIs will require antibiotic treatment, but some home remedies can reduce discomfort until the infection clears up. Home remedies include drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine, and using a heating pad on the abdomen.

5. Kidney stones

Share on PinterestDrinking fluids can help small kidney stones pass through the urinary tract.

When minerals and salts build up in the kidneys, they can form hard deposits called kidney stones.

A 2018 review in the journal Advances in Urology suggests that 1 in 11 people in the U.S. develop kidney stones.

These hard deposits may not cause any symptoms until they change positions in the kidney or urinary tract.

Kidney stones can then result in:

  • changes in urinary habits and amount
  • cloudy, strong-smelling, or pink urine
  • fever and chills, in the case of an infection
  • nausea
  • pain in the abdomen, groin, sides, and back
  • painful urination
  • vomiting

Small kidney stones can pass through the urinary tract on their own. It is helpful to drink fluids and take pain relivers until the stone passes.

At other times, it is necessary to undergo surgery or another type of medical procedure to remove the stone.

6. Prostatitis

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which is just below the bladder in males.

Prostatitis has a prevalence rate of 8.2 percent and is “the most common urological diagnosis” in males aged 50 and under.

Bacterial prostatitis, which results from bacterial infection, causes:

  • difficulty urinating
  • flu-like symptoms, such as chills
  • cloudy or bloody urine
  • frequent urination
  • pain in the abdomen, lower back, genitals, or groin
  • painful urination and ejaculation

Treatment may include taking antibiotics and other medications. Using heating pads, making dietary changes, and making lifestyle changes may provide some symptom relief.

7. Mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis, or the kissing disease or mono, passes between people through saliva. Along with stomach pain and chills, symptoms include:

  • fatigue
  • fever
  • headache
  • a sore throat
  • skin rash
  • swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
  • swollen tonsils

Symptoms usually do not appear until 4–6 weeks after infection and last for up to 2 months.

Treatment includes resting, staying hydrated, and taking OTC pain relievers. Some people may require medications for secondary infections.

8. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs. In the U.S., it is “a leading cause of hospitalization” in both adults and children.

Pneumonia symptoms, which range in severity, include:

  • chest pain
  • chills
  • coughing up phlegm
  • diarrhea
  • difficulty breathing
  • fatigue
  • fever
  • nausea
  • stomach pain
  • vomiting

Pneumonia can be life-threatening for older adults, children, and those who have a compromised immune system. People who have symptoms should always speak with a doctor.

Treatment includes taking medication, resting, and other home remedies. Some people may require hospitalization.

9. Gallbladder inflammation

Gallbladder inflammation, or cholecystitis, is swelling of the gallbladder, which is a pear-shaped organ in the abdomen.

Gallstones are the most common cause of gallbladder inflammation. According to a 2012 study in the journal Gut and Liver, around 10–15 percent of adults will develop gallstones. Other causes include tumors and infections.

Cholecystitis symptoms, which often get worse after eating large or fatty meals, include:

  • abdominal pain and tenderness, usually in the upper right or center
  • fever or chills
  • nausea
  • pain in the back or right shoulder

If left untreated, gallbladder inflammation can cause severe complications. Some treatment options include hospitalization, fasting, intravenous fluids, and taking pain relievers. Surgery may be necessary to remove the gallstones or the entire gallbladder.

10. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when sexually transmitted bacteria, including chlamydia or gonorrhea, spread to the fallopian tubes, uterus, or ovaries.

Research from 2017, which appeared in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, suggests that 4. 4 percent of sexually experienced females of reproductive age have PID.

PID does not always cause symptoms. Sometimes, people only realize that they have the condition when they experience difficulty getting pregnant.

If symptoms do occur, they include:

  • bleeding between periods
  • bleeding during or after sex
  • chills
  • difficult or painful urination
  • fever
  • heavy and foul-smelling vaginal discharge
  • pain in the lower abdomen and pelvis

Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics to people with PID. Sexual partners also require treatment.

Without treatment, the infection can cause chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.

11. Appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, which is a piece of tissue attached to the large intestine.

Appendicitis affects 1 in 1,000 people in the U.S., usually those aged 10–30 years old.

The condition causes pain on the lower right-hand side of the abdomen. This tends to get worse over time and may occur alongside:

Surgery is usually necessary to remove the appendix.

12. Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis occurs when diverticula, which are bulging pouches that form in the gut’s lining, develop an infection or inflammation.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, these pouches may form in 35 percent of U.S. adults aged 50 and below, and in 58 percent of all people over the age of 60. However, most cases do not progress to diverticulitis.

Symptoms include:

  • constipation or diarrhea
  • fever or chills
  • nausea
  • stomach pain, which may be severe and persistent
  • vomiting

Mild cases typically clear up by taking antibiotics, resting, and making dietary changes. Severe cases may require surgical intervention.

Other causes

Stomach pain and chills may have other less common symptoms, including:

  • cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that causes organ damage
  • epididymitis, or inflammation of the epididymis, which is a coiled tube at the back of the testicles
  • heart attack, but only in rare cases
  • leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow
  • malaria, an infectious disease that mosquitoes carry
  • meningitis, or inflammation of membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord
  • pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas
  • peritonitis, or inflammation of the peritoneum tissue in the abdomen
  • scarlet fever, a bacterial illness
  • shingles, a viral infection similar to chickenpox
  • tuberculosis, a bacterial infection of the lungs
  • Weil’s disease, a bacterial infection often transmitted by rodents
  • yellow fever, an infection that mosquitoes carry

Viral Diarrhea (Infant/Toddler)

Diarrhea caused by a virus is called viral gastroenteritis. Many people call it the “stomach flu,” but it has nothing to do with influenza. This virus affects the stomach and intestinal tract. It usually lasts 2 to 7 days. Diarrhea means passing loose watery stools 3 or more times a day.

Your child may also have these symptoms:

The main danger from this illness is dehydration. This is the loss of too much water and minerals from the body. When this occurs, body fluids must be replaced. This can be done with oral rehydration solution. Oral rehydration solution is available at drugstores and most grocery stores. Sports drinks are not equivalent to oral rehydration solutions. Sports drinks contain too much sugar and too few electrolytes.

Antibiotics are not effective for this illness.

Home care

Follow all instructions given by your child’s healthcare provider.

If giving medicines to your child:

  • Don’t give over-the-counter diarrhea medicines unless your child’s healthcare provider tells you to.

  • You can use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to control pain and fever. Or, you can use other medicine as prescribed.

  • Don’t give aspirin to anyone under 18 years of age who has a fever. This may cause liver damage and a life-threatening condition called Reye syndrome.

Your child is considered contagious for as long as he or she has diarrhea. To prevent the spread of illness:

  • Remember that washing with soap and water and using alcohol-based sanitizer is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.

  • Wash your hands before and after caring for your sick child.

  • Clean the toilet after each use.

  • Dispose of soiled diapers in a sealed container.

  • Keep your child out of day care until he or she is cleared by the healthcare provider.

  • Wash your hands before and after preparing food.

  • Wash your hands and utensils after using cutting boards, counter-tops and knives that have been in contact with raw foods.

  • Keep uncooked meats away from cooked and ready-to-eat foods.

Giving liquids and feeding

The main goal while treating vomiting or diarrhea is to prevent dehydration. This is done by giving small amounts of liquids often. Liquids are the most important thing. Don’t be in a rush to give food to your child.

If your baby is breastfed:

  • Keep breastfeeding. Feed your child more often than usual.

  • If diarrhea is severe, give oral rehydration solution between feedings.

  • As diarrhea eases, stop giving the rehydration solution and go back to your normal breastfeeding schedule.

If your baby is bottle-fed:

  • Give small amounts of fluid at a time, especially if your child is vomiting. An ounce or two (30 to 60 mL) every 30 minutes may improve symptoms. Start with 1 teaspoon (5 mL) every 5 minutes and increase gradually as tolerated.

  • Give full-strength formula or milk. If diarrhea is severe, give oral rehydration solution between feedings.

  • If giving milk and the diarrhea is not getting better, stop giving milk. In some cases, milk can make diarrhea worse. Try soy or rice formula.

  • Don’t give apple juice, soda, or other sweetened drinks. Drinks with sugar can make diarrhea worse.

  • If your child is doing well after 24 hours, resume a regular diet and feeding schedule.

  • If they start doing worse with food, go back to clear liquids.

If your child is on solid food:

  • Keep in mind that liquids are more important than food right now. Don’t be in a rush to give food.

  • Don’t force your child to eat, especially if he or she is having stomach pain, cramping, vomiting, or diarrhea.

  • Don’t feed your child large amounts at a time, even if your child is hungry. This can make your child feel worse. You can give your child more food over time if he or she can tolerate it.

  • Give small amounts at a time, especially if the child is having stomach cramps or vomiting.

  • If you are giving milk to your child and the diarrhea is not going away, stop the milk. In some cases, milk can make diarrhea worse. If that happens, use oral rehydration solution instead. This sensitivity to milk usually resolves as the intestine heals.

  • If diarrhea is severe, give oral rehydration solution between feedings.

  • If your child is doing well after 24 hours, try giving solid foods. These can include cereal, oatmeal, bread, noodles, mashed carrots, mashed bananas, mashed potatoes, applesauce, dry toast, crackers, soups with rice noodles, and cooked vegetables.

  • For a baby over 4 months, as he or she feels better, you may give cereal, mashed potatoes, applesauce, mashed bananas, or strained carrots, during this time. A baby over 1 year may have crackers, white bread, rice, and other complex starches, lean meats, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables. Low fat diets are easier to digest than high fat diets.

  • If your child starts doing worse with food, go back to clear liquids.

  • You can resume your child’s normal diet over time as he or she feels better. If the diarrhea or cramping gets worse again, go back to a simple diet or clear liquids.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your child’s healthcare provider, or as advised. If a stool sample was taken or cultures were done, call the healthcare provider for the results as instructed.

Call 911

Call 911 if your child has any of these symptoms:

When to seek medical advice

Call your child’s healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

  • More than 8 diarrhea stools within 8 hours

  • Continued severe diarrhea for more than 24 hours

  • Blood in stool

  • Refusal to drink or feed

  • Dark urine or no urine for  or dry diaper for 4 to 6 hours, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, or dry mouth

  • Fussiness or crying that can’t be soothed

  • Unusual drowsiness

  • New rash

  • Diarrhea lasts more than 1 week on antibiotics

  • Fever (see Fever and children, below)

Fever and children

Always use a digital thermometer to check your child’s temperature. Never use a mercury thermometer.

For infants and toddlers, be sure to use a rectal thermometer correctly. A rectal thermometer may accidentally poke a hole in (perforate) the rectum. It may also pass on germs from the stool. Always follow the product maker’s directions for proper use. If you don’t feel comfortable taking a rectal temperature, use another method. When you talk to your child’s healthcare provider, tell him or her which method you used to take your child’s temperature.

Here are guidelines for fever temperature. Ear temperatures aren’t accurate before 6 months of age. Don’t take an oral temperature until your child is at least 4 years old.

Infant under 3 months old:

  • Ask your child’s healthcare provider how you should take the temperature.

  • Rectal or forehead (temporal artery) temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider

  • Armpit temperature of 99°F (37.2°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider

Child age 3 to 36 months:

  • Rectal, forehead (temporal artery), or ear temperature of 102°F (38. 9°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider

  • Armpit temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider

Child of any age:

  • Repeated temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher, or as directed by the provider

  • Fever that lasts more than 24 hours in a child under 2 years old. Or a fever that lasts for 3 days in a child 2 years or older.

What is Gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis refers to an infection of the stomach and the intestine. The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis are vomiting and frequent episodes of diarrhea that occur three or four times every 24 hours.

Symptoms

The symptoms of gastroenteritis usually begin within 24 to 48 hours of infection and may include:

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea or feeling ill
  • Metallic taste in the mouth
  • Three or more episodes of diarrhea every 24 hours
  • Stool may contain blood and mucus
  • Fever
  • Chills, shivering and fever
  • Muscle and body ache
  • Stomach cramps
  • Headache

Causes

Gastroenteritis may be caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites. In England, the majority of adult gastroenteritis is caused by norovirus and food poisoning. The infection interferes with the absorption of water from the contents of the intestine, which leads to dehydration and the passing of watery stools.

Gastroenteritis is highly infectious and is mainly spread from person to person via the fecal–oral route, usually as a result of people touching objects after using the toilet without washing their hands. If another person touches their mouth after touching the contaminated object or uses the object to prepare or eat food, they may become infected with the virus.

Diagnosis and treatment

Gastroenteritis often does not require a diagnosis because the symptoms usually clear up without treatment. If symptoms persist, however, a stool sample may sent for analysis to help determine the pathogen that has caused the infection. While viral diarrhea usually resolves with rest and plenty of clear fluids, bacterial diarrhea needs to be treated using antibiotics. In some cases, blood and urine tests may also be recommended to rule out other conditions if an individual is particularly ill or symptoms last for longer than would usually be expected with gastroenteritis.

The majority of people who suffer form gastroenteritis only experience mild symptoms that pass after a few days. However, if patients are severely ill or vulnerable due to older age or another condition, then treatment may be recommended to prevent dehydration which can be fatal.

Dehydration leads to an excess loss of fluid and electrolytes from the body. An oral rehydration solution can be used to treat these individuals. The solution contains a carefully balanced mixture of salt, sugar and essential electrolytes such as sodium and potassium to help replace fluid that has been lost.

Further Reading

9 Signs of Salmonella Poisoning

AP Photo

According to the Mayo Clinic there are more than 2,000 strains of salmonella bacteria, but only a dozen or so make people sick. Most often, salmonella poisoning results in gastroenteritis, a severe stomach illness.

Salmonella is most often contracted by eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, eggs.

Nausea

istockphoto

Though the symptoms of salmonella poisoning are felt most acutely in the lower abdomen, nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of the infection.

Sometimes the discomfort is so severe that “you’re almost more afraid that you’re going to live,” says Dr. William A. Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt Medical School in Nashville, Tenn.

Abdominal pain

istockphoto

The bowel’s job is to move waste out of the body. If you’re infected with salmonella, the bowel wants to eliminate the offending germs as quickly as possible. To accomplish that, muscle in the abdomen contract forcefully – and the result is cramps.

Dr. William A. Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt Medical School in Nashville, Tenn., says the cramps can be so severe that doctors sometimes suspect the patient might have appendicitis.

What to Do?

istockphoto

If you think you might have salmonella poisoning, consult your doctor.

The illness typically runs its course within a matter of days even without treatment, though doctors urge patients to drink plenty of fluids to prevent the dehydration that sometimes results from vomiting and diarrhea.

Gastroenteritis – shigella – Better Health Channel

Shigella gastroenteritis is a bowel infection caused by bacteria from the Shigella family. Other names for shigella gastroenteritis include shigellosis, Shigella infection, Shigella enteritis and bacillary dysentery. Common symptoms include diarrhoea that may contain blood, mucus or pus, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.  

To cause infection, the bacteria have to be eaten, either directly through physical contact with a person with the illness, or indirectly by contaminated food and water. After incubating (bacteria multiplying) in the body for around one to three days, the infection causes the characteristic symptoms. These symptoms last for about four to seven days. 

It is important to seek prompt medical advice. In very rare cases, shigella gastroenteritis can be life threatening. 

Children are particularly prone to shigella gastroenteritis

Anyone can contract the infection, but children are particularly prone (although infection in babies under six months is unusual). The infection tends to be more severe in young children and the elderly. Outbreaks can occur in institutional settings, particularly where children are still in nappies (such as childcare centres) or adults are incontinent (such as nursing homes). 

Symptoms of shigella gastroenteritis

The symptoms of shigella gastroenteritis include: 

  • diarrhoea (which may contain traces of pus, mucus or blood)
  • fever
  • abdominal cramps
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • dizziness when standing up.

Complications of shigella gastroenteritis

Young children are more susceptible to complications, which may include: 

  • seizures caused by fever
  • dehydration
  • headache
  • lethargy
  • stiff neck
  • confusion.

Causes of shigella gastroenteritis

Shigella bacteria are excreted (passed) in faeces (poo). If an infected person doesn’t wash their hands after going to the toilet, the bacteria can be spread if they touch objects and surfaces that will be touched by other people, or handle food that may be eaten by other people. 

A person changing the nappy of a baby with shigella gastroenteritis may contaminate their hands with the bacteria. 

Shigella bacteria can also be spread through sexual contact, especially during oral or oro-anal sex. Men who have sex with men are at particular risk.
It is also possible to get shigella gastroenteritis from drinking water that is contaminated with human faeces containing Shigella bacteria.  

Infection can still occur after symptoms have stopped

The symptoms of shigella gastroenteritis may clear up after a week or so, but the person can have Shigella bacteria in their faeces for at least four weeks after the symptoms stop. Occasionally, a person may excrete the bacteria for months after the symptoms have stopped.

Some people are carriers of shigella, which means that they have the bacteria in their body, but don’t feel sick. These people can still pass the disease on to others.

Diagnosis of shigella gastroenteritis

Stool culture or rectal swabs are used to diagnose shigella gastroenteritis. 

Treatment for shigella gastroenteritis

Treatment options for shigella gastroenteritis may include: 

  • plenty of fluids
  • oral rehydration drinks, available from your chemist 
  • intravenous fluids (in severe cases)
  • eating solid foods
  • avoiding anti-vomiting or anti-diarrhoea drugs unless prescribed or recommended by your doctor
  • sometimes, taking appropriate antibiotics to kill the bacteria within a matter of days. Due to increasing levels of antibiotic resistance, these medications are now saved for the very sick or to reduce the spread of infection to vulnerable people or those in residential facilities.

Prevention of shigella gastroenteritis

General suggestions on how to reduce the risk of shigella gastroenteritis include: 

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot water after going to the toilet or changing nappies, and before preparing food or eating.
  • Use disposable paper towels to dry your hands rather than cloth towels, since the bacteria can survive for some time on cloth.
  • Keep cold food cold (below 5 °C) and hot foot hot (above 60 °C) to discourage the growth of bacteria.
  • Make sure foods are thoroughly cooked.
  • Thoroughly wash raw vegetables before eating.
  • Reheat food until the internal temperature of the food reaches at least 75 °C.
  • Clean the toilet and bathroom regularly, including the toilet seat, door handles and taps, by using a cleaning product that is able to kill bacteria, such as a product containing chlorine.
  • Clean baby change tables regularly.
  • Water from rivers and lakes may be contaminated by human faeces. Boil water from these sources before drinking.
  • Do not have sex with anyone who currently has or who has recently recovered from diarrhoea of any cause – this is particularly important for oro-anal contact.

Preventing the spread of shigella infection

Good personal hygiene should be practised at all times. In addition to the above precautions, suggestions to reduce the risk of transmission include:

  • Don’t share towels or linen with the infected person.
  • The infected person shouldn’t prepare any meals at home for other family members.
  • The infected person should stay at home until the diarrhoea has stopped, to prevent infecting others at work, school, kindergarten or childcare. It is especially important not to visit vulnerable people such as people in aged care facilities and hospitals.
  • If the infected person works in a high-risk occupation, such as a food worker, healthcare worker, childcare worker or in a residential facility; it is important that they stay away from work while awaiting advice from the Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Children must not attend childcare centres, kindergartens or school until 24 hours after their symptoms have stopped.
  • When travelling overseas to countries with poor sanitation conditions, only drink bottled water. Don’t forget to brush your teeth in bottled water too. Avoid food buffets, uncooked foods or peeled fruits and vegetables, and ice in drinks.
  • Avoid having sex for a week after diarrhoea has stopped. For a further two weeks wash hands before and after sex, avoid high risk activities such as oral and oro-anal sex or use barrier methods (such as condoms and dental dams). 

Where to get help

List of Drugs that may cause Chills

Abacavir Sulfate, Lamivudine and Zidovudine

Most Common -


Nausea, vomiting, headache, uneasiness, fatigue, diarrhea, fever, chills, depressive disorders, musculoskeletal pain, rash, throat infections, anxiety

Acamprosate

Most Common -


Nausea, vomiting, headache, uneasiness, fatigue, diarrhea, fever, chills, depressive disorders, musculoskeletal pain, rash, throat infections, anxiety

Acebrophylline

Most Common -


Nausea, vomiting, headache, uneasiness, fatigue, diarrhea, fever, chills, depressive disorders, musculoskeletal pain, rash, throat infections, anxiety

Acetaminophen and Oxycodone

Most Common -


Nausea, vomiting, headache, uneasiness, fatigue, diarrhea, fever, chills, depressive disorders, musculoskeletal pain, rash, throat infections, anxiety

Acitretin

Most Common -


Nausea, vomiting, headache, uneasiness, fatigue, diarrhea, fever, chills, depressive disorders, musculoskeletal pain, rash, throat infections, anxiety

Agalsidase

Most Common -

Chills, fever, feeling hot or cold, difficulty in breathing, nausea, swelling of the face, mouth, and throat, flushing, headache, vomiting, tingling, fatigue, itching, pain in extremity, high blood pressure, chest pain, throat tightness, abdominal pain, dizziness, fast heart rate, nasal congestion, diarrhea, muscle pain, back pain, pallor, slow heart rate, hives, low blood pressure, face swelling, rash, and drowsiness

Albumin Human

Most Common -

Chills, fever, feeling hot or cold, difficulty in breathing, nausea, swelling of the face, mouth, and throat, flushing, headache, vomiting, tingling, fatigue, itching, pain in extremity, high blood pressure, chest pain, throat tightness, abdominal pain, dizziness, fast heart rate, nasal congestion, diarrhea, muscle pain, back pain, pallor, slow heart rate, hives, low blood pressure, face swelling, rash, and drowsiness

Aldesleukin

Most Common -

Chills, fever, feeling hot or cold, difficulty in breathing, nausea, swelling of the face, mouth, and throat, flushing, headache, vomiting, tingling, fatigue, itching, pain in extremity, high blood pressure, chest pain, throat tightness, abdominal pain, dizziness, fast heart rate, nasal congestion, diarrhea, muscle pain, back pain, pallor, slow heart rate, hives, low blood pressure, face swelling, rash, and drowsiness

Efalizumab

Most Common -

Headache, chills, fever, nausea, infections, and muscle pain

Elosulphase Alpha

Most Common -

Headache, chills, fever, nausea, infections, and muscle pain

Factor IX

Most Common -


Headache, fever, chills, flushing, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and allergic reactions

Famotidine and Ibuprofen

Most Common -


Headache, fever, chills, flushing, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and allergic reactions

Fish Oil Triglycerides

Most Common -


Headache, fever, chills, flushing, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and allergic reactions

Fludarabine

Most Common -


Headache, fever, chills, flushing, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and allergic reactions

Galsulfase

Most Common -

Difficulty in breathing, fever, chills, chest pain and respiratory distress

Ganciclovir

Most Common -

Difficulty in breathing, fever, chills, chest pain and respiratory distress

Gemcitabine

Most Common-

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain/redness at the injection site and flu-like symptoms (muscle pain, fever, headache, chills and fatigue)

Interferon Gamma 1B

Most Common -


Fever, headache, rash, chills, injection site redness, tenderness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and muscle/joint pain

Iodipamide

Most Common -


Fever, headache, rash, chills, injection site redness, tenderness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and muscle/joint pain

Iodixanol

Most Common -


Fever, headache, rash, chills, injection site redness, tenderness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and muscle/joint pain

Iopamidol

Most Common -


Fever, headache, rash, chills, injection site redness, tenderness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and muscle/joint pain

Ioversol Injection

Most Common -


Fever, headache, rash, chills, injection site redness, tenderness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and muscle/joint pain

Ioxilan

Most Common -


Fever, headache, rash, chills, injection site redness, tenderness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and muscle/joint pain

Irinotecan

Most Common -


Fever, headache, rash, chills, injection site redness, tenderness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and muscle/joint pain

Iron Dextran

Most Common -


Fever, headache, rash, chills, injection site redness, tenderness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and muscle/joint pain

Mefloquine

Most Common -


Dizziness, muscle pain, nausea, fever, headache, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, skin rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and ringing in the ear

Menotropins

Most Common -


Dizziness, muscle pain, nausea, fever, headache, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, skin rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and ringing in the ear

Meropenem

Most Common -


Dizziness, muscle pain, nausea, fever, headache, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, skin rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and ringing in the ear

Mesalamine(Mesalazine)

Most Common -


Dizziness, muscle pain, nausea, fever, headache, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, skin rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and ringing in the ear

Methotrexate

Most Common -


Dizziness, muscle pain, nausea, fever, headache, vomiting, chills, diarrhea, skin rash, abdominal pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and ringing in the ear

Midodrine

Most Common-
Chills, goose bumps, abdominal pain, dry mouth, facial flushing, decreased pulse rate and allergic reactions

Mifamurtide

Most Common-
Chills, goose bumps, abdominal pain, dry mouth, facial flushing, decreased pulse rate and allergic reactions

Nalmefene

Most Common-


Nausea, dizziness, fever, headache, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, chills, muscle aches, abdominal cramps and joint pain

Naproxen

Most Common-


Nausea, dizziness, fever, headache, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, chills, muscle aches, abdominal cramps and joint pain

Naproxen and Esomeprazole Magnesium

Most Common-


Nausea, dizziness, fever, headache, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, chills, muscle aches, abdominal cramps and joint pain

Naratriptan

Most Common-


Nausea, dizziness, fever, headache, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, chills, muscle aches, abdominal cramps and joint pain

Niacin Er and Simvastatin

Most Common -

Dizziness, fainting, fast heart rate, palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, burning sensation, chills, fluid retention

Niacin Extended Release and Lovastatin

Most Common -


Dizziness, fainting, fast heart rate, palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, burning sensation, chills, and/or edema

Pilocarpine

Most Common-
Sweating, nausea, runny nose, diarrhea, chills, flushing, frequent urination, dizziness, weakness

Piperacillin/Tazobactam

Most Common-
Sweating, nausea, runny nose, diarrhea, chills, flushing, frequent urination, dizziness, weakness

Plecanatide

Most Common-
Sweating, nausea, runny nose, diarrhea, chills, flushing, frequent urination, dizziness, weakness

Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent

Most Common-
Sweating, nausea, runny nose, diarrhea, chills, flushing, frequent urination, dizziness, weakness

Pooled Plasma (Human)

Most Common-
Sweating, nausea, runny nose, diarrhea, chills, flushing, frequent urination, dizziness, weakness

Remifentanil

Most Common -


Nausea, vomiting, itching, headache, increased sweating, shivering, dizziness, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, respiratory depression, muscle rigidity, chills, flushing, warm sensation

Rifampin

Most Common -


Nausea, vomiting, itching, headache, increased sweating, shivering, dizziness, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, respiratory depression, muscle rigidity, chills, flushing, warm sensation

Rifampin- Isoniazid- Pyrazinamide

Most Common -


Nausea, vomiting, itching, headache, increased sweating, shivering, dizziness, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, respiratory depression, muscle rigidity, chills, flushing, warm sensation

Rituximab

Most Common -


Nausea, vomiting, itching, headache, increased sweating, shivering, dizziness, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, respiratory depression, muscle rigidity, chills, flushing, warm sensation

Ropivacaine

Most Common-

Low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slow heart rate, fever, chills, pain, postoperative complications, stuffy nose, reduced sensation, anemia, tingling, headache, itching and back pain

Samarium SM 153 Lexdronam

Most Common-

Low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slow heart rate, fever, chills, pain, postoperative complications, stuffy nose, reduced sensation, anemia, tingling, headache, itching and back pain

Sargramostim

Most Common-

Low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slow heart rate, fever, chills, pain, postoperative complications, stuffy nose, reduced sensation, anemia, tingling, headache, itching and back pain

Sildenafil

Most Common-

Low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, slow heart rate, fever, chills, pain, postoperative complications, stuffy nose, reduced sensation, anemia, tingling, headache, itching and back pain

Sipuleucel-T Suspension

Most Common -


Chills, fatigue, fever, back, nausea, joint ache, and headache

Sofosbuvir

Most Common -


Chills, fatigue, fever, back, nausea, joint ache, and headache

Voriconazole

Most Common -


Visual disturbances, fever, nausea, rash, vomiting, chills, headache, abnormal liver function, fast heart rate and hallucinations

Vorinostat

Most Common -


Visual disturbances, fever, nausea, rash, vomiting, chills, headache, abnormal liver function, fast heart rate and hallucinations

Zanamivir

Most Common -


Visual disturbances, fever, nausea, rash, vomiting, chills, headache, abnormal liver function, fast heart rate and hallucinations

Cold and Flu Symptoms | Everyday Health

Unlike cold symptoms, which develop gradually, flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. Cold and flu symptoms may overlap, but the latter tend to be more severe. There is also a greater risk of developing complications, such as pneumonia, in people who get influenza. (1)

“[With the flu] you’re sick for a longer period of time, and recovery will take a long time. Getting your energy back can take a couple of weeks, even in a healthy individual,” says Catherine Troisi, PhD, an associate professor in the management, policy, and community health division and the epidemiology division at University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the flu typically include: (4)

  • Fever (but not everyone with the flu develops a fever)
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Coughing
  • Sore throat
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)

The CDC lists a number of emergency warning signs that should prompt immediate medical attention, including: (5)

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Persistent confusion, dizziness, unconsciousness
  • Seizures
  • Not urinating
  • Severe muscle pain
  • Severe weakness or unsteadiness
  • Fever or cough that improves, then returns or worsens
  • Worsening of chronic medical conditions 

The flu usually lasts for several days or occasionally weeks, with the most severe symptoms improving after two or three days. But weakness, fatigue, and dry cough caused by influenza can persist for six to eight weeks, according to the Merck Manual. (6)

Occasionally people who are infected with the flu virus have no fever, at least not at the onset of other symptoms. Some people go on to develop a fever later, and some do not. “Children tolerate high fevers better than adults, but 102 degrees F is a significant fever, especially for adults,” says Randy Bergen, MD, a pediatric infectious disease consultant and the clinical lead of the flu vaccine program for Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Walnut Creek.

With or without a fever, influenza is highly contagious. While people with the flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after the illness begins, they can infect others as early as one day before their symptoms set in and up to a week after becoming sick. Some people, including very young children and people who are immunocompromised, may be contagious for even longer. (4)

RELATED: The Flu: Self-Treat, See a Doctor, or Go to the ER?

90,000 read the instructions for the COVID-19 vaccine • Reading • Sibdepo

Yesterday, on September 21, the first batch of coronavirus vaccine was supposed to arrive in the Kemerovo region. The arrival of the new medicine at a press briefing was announced by the First Deputy Minister of Health of Kuzbass Elena Zelenina .

“We do not know exactly how many doses of the vaccine will be delivered to us. First of all, health workers will be vaccinated. The issue of giving priority to vaccination for teachers is also being resolved, ”said the Deputy Minister.

Meanwhile, today, on September 22, a source in one of the Kuzbass hospitals handed over to the editor a presentation of a new drug, which the management of the medical institution distributed among doctors. We are talking about a vaccine against the coronavirus “Gam-COVID-Vac”, better known as “Sputnik V”. The development of the drug is carried out by the Center. N.F. Gamalei together with the subordinate institute of the Ministry of Defense. We do not pretend to be some kind of expert analysis, but only summarize what we have read.

Is it safe?

The whole block is devoted to the issue of safety in the presentation. The creators of the vaccine write that they have been producing vaccines based on adenoviral vectors since the 1980s. The vector is a defective particle of the adenovirus, lacking the gene for reproduction and therefore does not pose a danger of infection to the body.

“Center named after N.F. Gamalei used adenoviral vectors to develop vaccines against influenza A and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Both vaccines are currently in the final stages of clinical trials, ”reads the text of the presentation.

It is reported that about 3 thousand people took part in clinical trials of drugs based on adenoviral vectors developed by the Center.

It is important to note here that not the entire medical community was enthusiastic about the above arguments. So, on August 10, the Russian Association of Clinical Research Organizations (AOIC) called on the Ministry of Health to postpone the registration of the drug.

“This is a new vaccine, it has not yet completed testing with even hundreds of people, not to mention the several thousand accepted in Phase III of the study,” – quote from an open letter from AOIC.

The main argument of pharmacists is that the platform on which the coronavirus vaccine is being developed has not yet been studied and is itself at the research stage.

“From our point of view, another unregistered vaccine on which data is still being collected cannot be considered a reason for accelerated registration of a new vaccine, and, therefore, there is still no reason to conclude about its effectiveness,” the pharmacists write.

But, despite the warnings, the day after the publication of the open letter, August 11, the vaccine was registered.

What about side effects?

Complications are divided into general and local.

The general ones include : hypothermia, arthralgia, myalgia, asthenia, high or low blood pressure, decreased appetite, abnormalities in laboratory parameters and immunological status. Less commonly, the subjects experienced headache, palpitations, diarrhea, pain in the oropharynx, nasal congestion, sore throat, rhinorrhea, urticaria (1 volunteer), abnormalities in the general analysis of urine.

Local : most often the volunteers had pain and swelling at the vaccination site after the first injection, hyperemia and hyperthermia after the second injection. Less commonly – induration at the vaccination site, itching.

All of the above was observed in patients 1-2 days after vaccination, the severity of complications was mostly mild, but there were also moderate complications. There are no serious or serious complications. All symptoms disappeared spontaneously or with the help of symptomatic means within 3 days.

Can the vaccine be given to everyone?

Actually no – the vaccine is not for everyone. Only adults from 18 to 60 years old are allowed to give the vaccine. Traditionally, an injection should not be given to people with intolerance to certain components or allergies, as well as to pregnant and lactating mothers.

If a person has already had an acute infectious / non-infectious disease or had an exacerbation of a chronic illness, then the vaccination can be done no earlier than 2-4 weeks after recovery or remission. For mild colds, vaccination can be carried out after the temperature has returned to normal.

With caution

“In chronic liver and kidney diseases, severe disorders of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus), severe diseases of the hematopoietic system, epilepsy, strokes and other diseases of the central nervous system, diseases of the cardiovascular system (myocardial infarction in history , myocarditis, endocarditis, pericarditis, coronary heart disease), primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, autoimmune diseases, lung diseases, asthma and COPD, in patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, with allergic reactions, atopy, eczema (vaccination is advisable due to the high risk diseases and subject to additional medical supervision and prescription of medications) ”, – an excerpt from the presentation.

Who else can be vaccinated?

The creators write that the following categories of patients are at greater risk without the vaccine than with it:

  • Persons with immunodeficiency;
  • Autoimmune diseases;
  • Diseases of the liver and kidneys;
  • Lung diseases, asthma and COPD;
  • Heart disease, stroke or other cardiovascular disease;
  • Patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Assessment of the benefits and risks of cancer patients is carried out individually. Vaccination of allergy sufferers is allowed after premedication with antihistamines.

One shot and you’re free?

No again – vaccination will be carried out in two stages. First, a person is given the first injection into the muscle, and after 21 days, the second.

“On the day of administration of each dose of vaccine, the patient must be examined by a doctor: a general examination and measurement of body temperature are mandatory. If the temperature exceeds 37 ° C, vaccination is not carried out.After the introduction, it is recommended to rest for 10-15 minutes. After the vaccine is administered, the patient should be monitored by a healthcare professional for 30-60 minutes. It is recommended to refrain from intensive physical education and contact sports, as well as drinking alcohol, 24 hours before and after each vaccination, visiting the bathhouse – 2-3 days. You can take a shower and a bath as usual, ”the authors write.

The exact date of the start of vaccination against coronavirus in Kuzbass is still not known.The full text of the presentation can be found here.

Coping with Food Poisoning | Weekly PHARMACY

Every person in his life faced with food poisoning. It can be caused by stale food, poor personal hygiene, or a weakened immune system that is unable to adequately deal with bacteria in food. Despite the day-to-day problem (especially in the warm season), food poisoning can lead to very serious consequences, so everyone must know what to do with him and what not.Enterosorbents are quite popular in such cases. It is important to understand why they should be used in the earliest stages of food poisoning, and what makes them indispensable in any home medicine cabinet.

What is food poisoning? Food poisoning in the broadest sense can occur due to the consumption of obviously poisonous products (plants, mushrooms) or those that contain hazardous chemicals (for example, nitrates). But, speaking of it, in most cases we mean foodborne illness.The peculiarity of such food poisoning is that the painful condition is caused not by the product itself, which may be completely safe in itself, but by microorganisms that use it as a nutrient medium.

First of all, you need to know the symptoms of food poisoning, which can appear within 2–5 hours. These are general weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever and chills. When these signs appear, you should immediately take the necessary measures.

The severity of this disease depends on many factors: the general condition of the body, the type of pathogenic microorganism, the patient’s age. Close attention to these alarming symptoms should be paid in persons at risk, especially vulnerable due to weakened immunity: young children, the elderly, patients with chronic diseases that undermine the ability of the immune system to respond in time to the invasion of dangerous microbes, pregnant women.

In general, food poisoning can be successfully treated with home treatment, but if there is no rapid improvement soon after the start of the measures, you should seek qualified medical help.People at risk should immediately consult a doctor, since self-treatment may not be sufficient, and the condition can worsen significantly over the wasted time. In severe cases, there may be a rapid deterioration in the patient’s condition, causing dehydration of the body due to frequent vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to the penetration of pathogens into the blood. Especially often, such complications are diagnosed in children.

How can you help with food poisoning? Conventionally, there are 2 methods of dealing with it: this is the elimination of those substances that have already been absorbed in the digestive tract, and those that have not yet had time to do so.To remove unabsorbed substances, gastric lavage is used, and enterosorbents and laxatives are also taken. For effective treatment of food poisoning, you need to start taking these drugs as early as possible, since this makes the disease easier and quicker to recover.

Enterosorbents are also taken to remove already absorbed substances. These are drugs that can bind in large quantities harmful substances that have entered the body from the outside or are produced in it.Enterosorbents are able to accumulate in the digestive system or enter its lumen, while not being destroyed, which allows them to bind and remove pathogens and their toxins from the body.

These funds have an extremely wide range of applications in medical practice. And they are especially necessary for the treatment of food toxicoinfection, since they are able to quickly remove both absorbed and non-absorbed toxic substances, significantly improving the patient’s well-being.The peculiarity of enterosorbents is that they simultaneously act on both the cause and the consequences of the disease, which ensures a comprehensive approach to treatment.

Modern enterosorbents have good sorption properties and are quickly removed from the digestive tract. Such funds should be safe enough: not to be toxic and not to injure the mucous membrane of the digestive system. In addition, they should not provoke the appearance of dysbiosis, which weakens the protective properties of the body and can only increase food poisoning.

The use of modern enterosorbents not only does not cause irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive system, but can also reduce the severity of indigestion. It is recommended to use enterosorbents for gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis.

Enterosorption is successfully used in the treatment of acute dysentery, typhoid fever, salmonellosis, leptospirosis, viral hepatitis and other diseases that are accompanied by intoxication of the body.The use of enterosorbents greatly facilitates the course of poisoning caused by cholera pathogens, staphylococcal enterotoxin and rotaviruses.

If food poisoning is accompanied by frequent vomiting and diarrhea, there is a risk of dehydration. To prevent this, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids (up to 2-3 liters of liquid, depending on the severity of the disease). However, only salt solutions capable of retaining water in the body are suitable for the successful prevention of dehydration.

In the absence of diarrhea, laxatives may be used with caution. This can speed up the process of removing harmful substances from the body, but the wrong choice of such a remedy will only aggravate the condition and lead to the absorption of toxic substances into the blood. Saline laxatives are usually used to remove toxic substances from the intestines.

Quite often we use antimicrobial drugs irrationally, thereby reducing their effectiveness. Treating food poisoning requires antibiotics only when it is severe (there is blood and pus in the stool, and the body temperature rises).

It is more advisable to use drugs that maintain normal intestinal microflora in case of common food poisoning. It is known that our beneficial bacteria are able to fight harmful ones for a place under the sun, by secreting special substances, as well as stimulating local immunity. If the bacterial balance of the intestinal flora is disturbed, then it will not be able to adequately fight against pathogenic microbes.

If food poisoning is accompanied by intoxication, diarrhea and flatulence, then it is advisable to use drugs containing lignin.Such drugs have a complex effect, due to which they are used both for the treatment of food poisoning and for allergies, and for the normalization of digestive processes.

Aleksey Kovalenko, General Director
of the Scientific and Production Enterprise “Ariadna”,
Candidate of Technical Sciences

Tsikava information for you:

90,000 Abdominal pain and diarrhea | What to do with stomach pain and diarrhea

Number of views: 503 254

Last updated: 20.04.2021

Average reading time: 14 minutes

Contents

Diarrhea is one of the most common pathological symptoms that occur both in isolation and in combination with other manifestations of various diseases 2 . About 1.7 billion cases are registered in the world every year 2 . Most often they are associated with infections and poisoning 2 , in which diarrhea is usually accompanied by abdominal pain and manifestations of intoxication.However, these same symptoms occur in other diseases as well.

Up to contents

Causes of abdominal pain and diarrhea

These symptoms are most often associated with diseases of the abdominal organs: stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, pancreas, internal genital organs and urinary bladder. The appearance of pain is provoked by spasms or stretching of the walls of hollow organs (intestines, stomach, gallbladder), stretching of the outer lining of the liver and pancreas, circulatory disorders and inflammation of the organs themselves, the lining of the abdominal cavity covering them.

The physiological reasons for loose stools can be:

  • increased secretion of fluid into the intestinal cavity due to irritation, for example, bacterial toxins during foodborne toxicity,
  • accumulation of substances in the small and large intestine that attract water, as it happens, in in particular, with lactose intolerance;
  • inflammation of the intestines, accompanied by the release of various fluids into it, for example, mucus, pus in ulcerative colitis;
  • increased intestinal peristalsis, for example, in irritable bowel syndrome,
  • deceleration of motility, for example, in scleroderma.

Due to the common causes of diarrhea and abdominal pain are often combined with each other. In particular, an increase in the volume of intestinal contents and an accumulation of gases that stretch the walls of the intestine lead to the appearance of pain. Inflammation, spasms, in turn, increase the symptoms of the disease.

Up to content

Some diseases in which diarrhea appears and stomach ache

Diarrhea is divided into acute and chronic. Acute lasts up to 2 weeks 1 .If liquid feces are observed for more than 4 weeks, they speak of a chronic form 2 . Both options can be for the same diseases.

1. Intestinal infections and toxicoinfections

Acute diarrhea is most often of an infectious nature 1 , occurs as a result of ingestion of pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins when drinking contaminated water and food, neglect of personal hygiene rules 1 .

The causative agents can be 1 :

  • bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, shigella, vibrios, campylobacter, yersinia;
  • Viruses, eg enteroviruses, rotaviruses or adenoviruses;
  • various protozoa microorganisms: amoeba dysentery, lamblia, etc.

Loose stools can be from several to 30-40 times a day 1 , often accompanied by cramping pains in the abdominal cavity, fever, weakness. The appearance of nausea, vomiting may be associated with damage to the stomach and small intestine, that is, with the development of gastroenteritis 1 .

Nausea, weakness, abdominal pain and diarrhea, mucus and blood in the feces, false urge to defecate are more common with colitis, that is, inflammation of the colon 1 .

Intestinal infections, especially in children, the elderly, are dangerous due to dehydration 1 . Therefore, with frequent vomiting, the appearance of liquid feces, stools need to contact an infectious disease specialist.

2. Traveler’s diarrhea

It is most often encountered by tourists visiting Central and West Africa, India. What to do: Diarrhea and abdominal pain can be associated with changes in diet, water quality, acclimatization, jet lag and other stresses.The causative agents of the infection are some strains of Escherichia coli 1 . Stool disorder occurs upon arrival or in the first two days of stay in a new country, usually up to 3 times a day, accompanied by cramping pain in the abdominal cavity, lasts on average no more than a week 1 , you can cope with it yourself. If symptoms persist longer, a doctor’s consultation and examination is necessary.

3. Food allergy

Intolerance to cow’s milk and products from it, as well as eggs, nuts, fish, cereals, strawberries, chocolate, coffee, tomatoes, etc. is more common.d 2 . Therefore, if every time after consuming this or that product, loose stools appear and the stomach begins to ache, then perhaps we are talking about an allergy.

Stool disturbance in allergy is associated with the action of inflammatory mediators 2 . It is they that cause swelling of the intestinal walls, increase the secretion of fluid into the intestinal cavity and cause its spasms.

The elimination of allergenic foods from the diet helps to normalize the condition. Their re-inclusion in the diet leads to liquefaction of feces.

4. Lactase deficiency and celiac disease

Lactase deficiency is a congenital or acquired deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down cow’s milk protein, or lactose. Its classic manifestations are pain, bloating and a loud rumbling in the abdominal cavity, which occurs after consuming dairy products, preceding the release of liquid feces with an unpleasant sour odor.

What to do in case of abdominal pain and diarrhea in case of lactase deficiency? Of course, exclude milk and products in the manufacture of which it is used.

Celiac disease – intolerance to proteins of cereals, gluten. Wheat and rye contain the most gluten, so abdominal discomfort often occurs after consuming flour products. The exclusion of cereals from the diet helps to normalize the condition.

5. Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder 2 . The reason for its development is still unclear. It is believed that emotional factors, hormonal changes, nutrition, and individual characteristics of intestinal peristalsis play a certain role.

IBS often occurs with alternating constipation with loose stools. Diarrhea occurs mainly in the morning after breakfast, never bothers at night 2 . It is accompanied by pulling pain in the lower abdominal cavity, the release of a small amount of feces in the form of gruel. In some patients, the feces at the beginning of the bowel movement are dense, lumpy, and then mushy or even watery. To restore the normal excretion of feces, it is necessary, first of all, to normalize the psychological state and hormonal background.

6. Chronic enteritis

Chronic enteritis, or long-term inflammation of the small intestine, can develop as a result of poor nutrition, autoimmune diseases, parasitic infections, prolonged uncontrolled intake of certain drugs and other factors.

The disease is accompanied not only by a violation of the stool, but also by a change in the digestion of food, assimilation of nutrients. Diarrhea occurs 1-3 times a day 1.3 . There are many feces, they are watery, foamy.Pain is localized mainly in the area to the left above the navel, is dull, accompanied by rumbling and transfusion in the intestines. Long-term indigestion leads to a decrease in body weight, deterioration of the condition of the skin, hair and nails, the appearance of signs of hypovitaminosis. In severe cases, dehydration occurs, the work of all digestive organs and the endocrine system is disrupted. Treatment depends on the cause of the disease and includes taking antidiarrheal drugs.

7. Chronic colitis

Chronic colitis, or inflammation of the colon, also causes abdominal discomfort.Symptoms of an exacerbation of the disease are aching pains in the lateral sections and in the lower abdomen, diarrhea 3-10 times a day 1.3 . Unlike enteritis, the amount of feces is not increased, they look like a gruel. False urge to defecate with the release of a small amount of feces or just mucus is typical.

If inflammation of the colon is accompanied by the formation of ulcers on its walls, as is the case with ulcerative colitis, intestinal spasms become severe, pus and blood appear in the feces, body temperature rises, weight loss is noted 1.2 .

8. Other diseases

Disorders of stool, discomfort in the abdominal cavity can be associated not only with intestinal problems.

Diarrhea, heaviness in the left side is sometimes a sign of chronic pancreatitis 1.3 . In this case, the cause of loose stools is insufficient digestion, which occurs due to a lack of pancreatic enzymes. Feces have a fetid, putrid odor, contain undigested food debris and fat.

Stomach pain and chronic diarrhea are sometimes signs of stomach cancer 3 .The disease is accompanied by a decrease in gastric secretion and acidity, which causes a rapid evacuation of food eaten into the small intestine, the development of intestinal dysbiosis with the inherent symptom of diarrhea. Bowel cancer can also lead to loose stools.

There are many reasons for the appearance of pain in the intestines and diarrhea, therefore, when they appear and, it is necessary to consult a doctor, undergo an examination. Only a doctor can establish the true cause of violations, prescribe adequate treatment.

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When you urgently need to see a doctor

Abdominal pain with diarrhea should always be alarming.Short-term stool disturbance occurs in many acute diseases requiring surgical care 3 , for example, at the first stage of intestinal obstruction, biliary colic or appendicitis 3 .

It is necessary to see a doctor urgently if:

  • severe abdominal pain and diarrhea appears;
  • fever, chills appeared, the general condition continues to deteriorate;
  • pain is accompanied by tension in the anterior abdominal wall;
  • vomiting is frequent, it does not bring relief;
  • Stool contains scarlet blood or is black;
  • The loss of fluid with liquid feces by the stool cannot be compensated for independently due to incessant vomiting and diarrhea, the stomach hurts and it is not clear what to do;
  • signs of dehydration are observed: dry mucous membranes and plaque on the tongue, drooping eyes, pallor and grayish skin tone, confusion, lack of urination;
  • diarrhea, pain in the abdominal cavity occurred in a small child, pregnant woman, elderly or debilitated person.

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What to do if the stomach hurts and diarrhea appears

In case of acute diarrhea and pain in the abdominal cavity, qualified medical assistance is needed, so you need to call a doctor at home.

What to do before the consultation 1.2 :

  • refuse to eat,
  • drink mineral water without gas,
  • maintain physical peace.

What should not be done if the stomach hurts and diarrhea appears:

  • take medications, including antibiotics, pain relievers, antispasmodics, antidiarrheals – they can “blur” the picture of the disease and complicate the diagnosis;
  • Apply a heating pad to the sore spot – heat can contribute to the development of infection and inflammation;

Treatment of diarrhea includes prevention and control of dehydration, diet therapy and stool normalization.

  1. Rehydration, or replenishment of the water-salt balance

To restore the water-electrolyte balance, it is not enough to use ordinary drinking water. Together with loose stools, the body loses a large amount of minerals. Therefore, for drinking it is better to use special solutions or mineral water of a high degree of mineralization without gas 1.2 .

  1. Diet

Meals should be fractional, but high in calories, so as not to overload the digestive system and compensate for the loss of nutrients.

It is necessary to exclude flour products from yeast dough, dairy products, fresh vegetables and fruits, eggs, legumes, coffee, carbonated drinks, kvass from the diet 1 . Not recommended for spicy, fatty, fried, spicy foods, canned food, smoked meats, marinades 1 .

  1. Drug therapy

All medications are prescribed by the doctor, based on the diagnosis and characteristics of the course of the disease. These can be antibiotics, enterosorbents, probiotics, prebiotics, eubiotics, antidiarrheals 1.2 .IMODIUM® Express can be recommended as the last component.

The active substance IMODIUM® Express – loperamide 4 – can act for 4-6 hours, is able to reduce intestinal motility, slow down the movement of its contents, promote the absorption of water and electrolytes 5 . This drug is used in the treatment of acute, chronic diarrhea of ​​various origins in adults and children over 6 years old 4 .

The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional medical advice.Consult a qualified professional for diagnosis and treatment.

“Imodium is contraindicated for use in children under 6 years of age.”

Literature

  1. D.I. Trukhan, D.S. Kiseleva, L.V. Tarasova. Diarrhea: Current Issues in Differential Diagnosis. Consilium Medicum. Gastroenterology. (App.) 2014; 01: – 51-54 p.
  2. Osadchuk M.A., Uryupin A.A. Diarrhea in therapeutic practice. Regular issues of “RMZh” №15 from 08.07.2014. – 1112 p.
  3. Matveykov G.P., Vechersky G.A., Goncharik I.I. Handbook for the differential diagnosis of internal diseases. M .: Belarus, 1990 .– 607 p.
  4. Instructions for the use of IMODIUM® Express.
  5. Register of medicines of Russia. Active ingredients. Loperamide. https://www.rlsnet.ru/mnn_index_id_637.htm

Urology: diseases and symptoms | Paracelsus

Urolithiasis

It is characterized by pain in the lumbar region, with attacks of renal colic, sharp, cramping, often radiating to the lower abdomen, groin, scrotum.When the stone moves, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea are possible, which is often confused with food poisoning. If the outflow of urine is disturbed, the temperature joins, sometimes with chills.

Diagnostics – ultrasound, general urine analysis, kidney x-ray. The most reliable and informative way to diagnose stones today is computed tomography of the kidneys. Self-medication is fraught with the development of purulent pyelonephritis, which leads to the death of the kidney and the development of urosepsis.

Pyelonephritis (acute, chronic)

Inflammatory kidney disease often accompanies urolithiasis and vice versa – the presence of pyelonephritis is the basis for the occurrence of kidney stones.The main complaints are lower back pain, the presence of edema, increased blood pressure, general weakness, increased fatigue, increased body temperature, especially in the evening.

Diagnostics – general urine analysis, urine analysis according to Nechiporenko, urine culture, general blood analysis, blood biochemistry, ultrasound of the kidneys, x-ray of the kidneys.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder. It can also be acute and chronic. More common in women. Complaints with cystitis are frequent painful urination in small portions, sometimes blood in the urine, fever.

Diagnostics – general urine analysis, urine culture, ultrasound of the bladder, cystoscopy.

Prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate gland, acute or chronic. Complaints of pain, discomfort in the perineum (the doctor, as if a stake interferes), frequent difficulty urinating, nocturnal urge to urinate, impaired sexual function in the form of accelerated, painful ejaculation, in the presence of a purulent focus – purulent discharge from the canal.

Diagnostics – digital rectal examination, urine analysis after prostate massage, examination of prostate secretion (microscopy, bacterial culture), blood PSA, ultrasound / TRUS of the prostate

First aid for food poisoning

When eating poor-quality food products, improper preparation and storage, food poisoning may occur – food toxicoinfection.Low-quality products are understood to be infected with various microorganisms and their toxins. Mushroom poisoning can be distinguished into a separate group.

The most dangerous are products of animal origin (meat, fish, sausages, canned food, milk and products made from it – confectionery with cream, ice cream). Chopped meat – pates, minced meat, jellied meat – becomes especially easily infected.

The first symptoms of food poisoning may appear within 2-4 hours after a meal (in some cases, even after 30 minutes), or even after 20-26 hours.This largely depends on the type and dose of the toxin and the state of the human immune system.

Typical signs of food poisoning are:

  • general malaise,
  • nausea,
  • repeated vomiting,
  • cramping abdominal pain,
  • loose stools,
  • pallor of the skin,
  • thirst,
  • lowering blood pressure,
  • increase and decrease in heart rate,
  • pallor of the skin,
  • increased body temperature (chills may appear),
  • Convulsions and fainting are sometimes possible.

First aid for food poisoning

Measures taken at the first sign of poisoning are aimed at maximizing the elimination of toxins from the body and preventing dehydration.

  1. It is necessary to flush the stomach. To do this, you need to drink about two glasses of warm water at room temperature and induce vomiting. It is advisable to carry out the procedure before leaving the stomach of pure water.
  2. We bind toxins (we prevent their absorption into the bloodstream).To do this, you need to take activated charcoal (1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight) or smecta.
  3. Intestinal cleansing, as a rule, occurs naturally, as the body itself strives to get rid of its toxic substances. Diarrhea is the fastest and most massive elimination of toxins from the body. You cannot try to stop this process by taking medications for diarrhea. On the contrary, if emptying does not occur, you can drink a laxative.
  4. It is important to remember that with the release of vomit and feces, the body loses a lot of water, it must be replenished to avoid dehydration.It is easier to control this process if, after each attack of vomiting or bowel movement, you drink in small sips about a glass of warm, still water.

These measures are usually sufficient to cope with the manifestations of food poisoning. But you do not know what exactly caused the attack, and it is impossible to cope with many toxins on your own at home.

Be sure to call an ambulance if:

  • A child under 3 years of age, a pregnant woman or an elderly person is poisoned.
  • Poisoning is accompanied by diarrhea more than 10 times a day, indomitable vomiting or increasing weakness.
  • Poisoning is accompanied by uncharacteristic symptoms.

In case of severe poisoning caused by pathogens such as salmonella, shigella, botulism bacillus, etc., symptoms typical for conventional poisoning may be absent.

For example, after ingestion of food contaminated with botulism bacilli, general malaise, headache, and dizziness may appear.At the same time, the body temperature is normal, the abdomen is swollen, but there is no stool. A day later, signs of severe damage to the central nervous system appear: double vision, drooping of the upper eyelid, paralysis of the soft palate. Bloating increases and urinary retention is observed.

Providing first aid in case of botulism bacillus poisoning is also reduced to gastric lavage, taking toxin-binding drugs and laxatives. But the most important is the introduction of antibotulinic serum, which is possible only in stationary conditions.And, therefore, the most important thing in such poisoning is to deliver the patient to a medical institution on time.

90,000 Malaria prevention – Disease prevention and healthy lifestyle – Budgetary institution of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Ugra

Prevention of malaria

(Instruction for the population)

With the onset of summer, the flow of tourists to countries with a tropical climate increases.

So that your holiday abroad is not overshadowed by a disease, you should know about preventive measures for the most common exotic diseases. With the primary symptoms of the disease, they should be recognized in time. It’s about malaria.

Beware of the bloodsucking!

Malaria is a parasitic disease with an acute and sometimes protracted course, characterized by the presence of febrile attacks, enlarged liver, spleen, and the development of anemia. The causative agents of malaria belong to the genus Plasmodium.P.vivax. The causative agent of three-day malaria is widespread in Asia, Oceania, South and Central America. P.ovale (ovale malaria) – the causative agent of three-day malaria; its range is mainly limited to Equatorial Africa, with individual cases reported on the islands of Oceania and Thailand. P.malariae – the causative agent of four-day malaria and P.falciparum – the causative agent of tropical malaria are widespread in aquatorial Africa, as well as in some countries of Asia, Oceania, South and Central America.

Infection with malaria occurs when a person is bitten by a mosquito of the genus Anopheles, which is the carrier of the pathogen. The mosquito itself becomes infected by feeding on the blood of a patient with malaria or a carrier of the genital forms of Plasmodium malaria.

Awesome chills!

Malaria is characterized by a period of acute attacks of fever (primary attack) followed by a febrile period. In some untreated or insufficiently treated patients, fever resumes 7-14 or more days within 2-3 months after the termination of the primary attack (early relapses).After an incubation period of varying duration (from 1 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of pathogen), non-immune patients have characteristic chills, headache, low-grade fever, malaise, muscle pain, and sometimes diarrhea (in tropical malaria).

Malarial attack (paroxysm) proceeds with a change of phases: tremendous chills, fever, sweat. In the chill phase, the skin is pale, cold, rough (“goose”) with a cyanotic tinge. The chill lasts from 10-15 minutes to 2-3 hours and is accompanied by a very rapid rise in temperature (up to 39-40 ° C and above).After a few hours, the fever is replaced by profuse sweating. In general, malarial paroxysm lasts 6-12 hours, and in tropical malaria – up to a day or more. After an attack, a period of temperature normalization begins. It lasts 48 hours for three days of malaria and 72 hours for four days.

Patients are treated in an infectious diseases hospital with special antimalarial drugs. The success of malaria treatment is largely determined by the timeliness and correct choice of the drug.

Prevention

When staying in areas where malaria is common, the following precautions should be taken:

– sleep in rooms where windows and doors are covered with a net or mesh canopy, preferably impregnated with an insecticide;

– from dusk to dawn to dress so as not to leave arms and legs open;

– treat open areas of the body with a repellent, especially while staying outdoors in the evening and at night;
– prophylactic antimalarial drugs are recommended for people traveling to foci of medium and high endemicity.

WHO estimates that about 3 billion people live at risk of contracting malaria, almost half of them live in underdeveloped countries in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, where the risk of infection is high.

Annually in the world up to 200 million cases of malaria are registered, of which about 660 thousand are fatal.

Strengthening malaria control measures, primarily preventive measures (the use of permethrin-impregnated canopies that protect against mosquito bites, preventive treatment of children and pregnant women) helps to reduce the burden of the disease.They have reduced malaria deaths globally by 25% since 2000 and by 33% in the African Region.

The main factors contributing to the spread of malaria in the world are: intensive migration of the population (tourists, seasonal workers, merchants), global climate change (increased air temperature and increased rainfall), resistance of malaria mosquitoes to insecticides and malaria plasmodia to drugs.

As part of the implementation of the decree of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation of December 25, 2007 “On strengthening measures to prevent parasitic diseases and elimination of malaria in the Russian Federation” in the territory of most constituent entities of the Russian Federation, effective measures are taken to eliminate malaria, including cases of three-day malaria, phenological observation and mosquito control measures, improving the quality of laboratory diagnostics of malaria and preventing deaths from tropical malaria.

As a result of the measures taken, the incidence of malaria in the Russian Federation over the past six years has decreased from 201 cases. (in 2005) up to 87cl. (in 2012). No local transmission cases were reported in 2012.

The import of malaria was registered from a number of African countries (Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea), from the countries of South America (Brazil, Guyana), from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan.

The importation of malaria from neighboring countries (Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan) has practically stopped due to intensive anti-epidemic and preventive measures carried out in these countries under the leadership and support of the World Health Organization.

Malaria is a tropical parasitic disease characterized by attacks of fever, anemia and enlarged spleen. There are 4 types of malaria: tropical, three-day, four-day, and oval malaria.The most difficult is tropical. Malaria is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person when female mosquitoes suck blood. There are two more ways of infection – through blood transfusion and intrauterine, when a woman with malaria infects her unborn child. The parasites that got into the human body during the bite of malaria mosquitoes circulate in the blood, and then are brought into the liver, in the cells of which they develop.

The incubation (latent) period of development of parasites ranges from seven days to three years.This amplitude depends on the type of malaria; in tropical malaria, the incubation period is short. The disease begins with symptoms of general intoxication (weakness, weakness, severe headache, chills). Then there are repeated attacks of fever, the body temperature rises to 40 degrees and above, lasts for several hours and is accompanied by chills and heavy sweating at the end of the attack. If there is a clear recurrence of such attacks after a certain time – every day (every other day or two days), you should think about the possible illness of malaria and immediately seek medical help.

Tropical malaria is the most severe form of malaria. The incubation period ranges from 8 to 16 days. Headache, fatigue, nausea, and decreased appetite may occur 3-4 days before the development of clinical symptoms. The initial manifestations are characterized by severe chills, a feeling of heat, and severe headache. In some cases, attacks of malaria occur without chills. Fever at the onset of the disease can be constant without severe attacks, which makes diagnosis difficult. If diagnosed late and treatment is delayed, tropical malaria will take on a “malignant course.”The risk of developing “malignant” malaria is especially increased if treatment is delayed for more than 6 days from the onset of the disease. Mortality in tropical malaria ranges from 10 to 40%, depending on the time of initiation of treatment, the correct selection of antimalarial drugs and the equipment of the clinic. Children, pregnant women, and non-immune adults are more likely to develop severe tropical malaria. Cerebral malaria is the most common complication of tropical malaria, with convulsions, rigidity, and retinal hemorrhages.

Malaria parasites are found in the blood of a sick person and can only be detected by examining the blood under a microscope. Treatment of this dangerous disease is carried out taking into account the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to chemotherapy.

Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare.

Observe preventive measures!

90,000 Rotavirus infection

Rotavirus infection is an acute infectious disease caused by rotaviruses and characterized by lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, symptoms of general intoxication, and dehydration.

The causative agent – rotaviruses – contain RNA, are subdivided into two antigenic variants, are resistant to the external environment.

Sources of infection – a sick person or a virus carrier. The transmission routes are contact-household, alimentary. A pronounced autumn-winter seasonality is characteristic.

Reproduction and accumulation of rotaviruses occurs mainly in the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract, where direct damage to the cells of the intestinal epithelium of the small intestine occurs. After a disease, a short-term immunity is formed.Large losses of fluid and electrolytes are characteristic, which leads to dehydration of the I-III degree.

The incubation period lasts from 15 hours to 7 days (usually 1-2 days). The disease begins acutely or gradually. In most patients, symptoms of respiratory tract damage (coughing, nasal congestion, hyperemia of the palatine arches and the posterior pharyngeal wall) are simultaneously detected. A detailed picture of the disease is formed within 12-24 hours from the onset of the disease. Vomiting is a mandatory symptom of the disease.It appears on the first day and lasts 2-3 days. Intoxication is insignificant. Characterized by profuse, liquid, watery stools without admixture of mucus, or sometimes with a small amount of filamentous mucus, without blood. Diarrhea persists for up to 5-7 days. Abdominal pains are cramping in nature and do not have a clear localization. A more severe course is usually caused by a layer of secondary infection. With severe intoxication and subfebrile temperature, pain in the epigastric region, vomiting, and diarrhea appear. Rarely, vomiting is repeated on the 2-3rd day of illness.All patients have abundant watery stools with a pungent odor, sometimes a dull, whitish stool may resemble the stool of a cholera patient. There is a loud rumbling in the abdomen. The urge to defecate is of an imperative nature, there are no false urges. In some patients, an admixture of mucus and blood is found in the feces, which always indicates a combination of rotavirus disease with a bacterial infection (shigellosis, escherichiosis). In such patients, there is a more pronounced fever and intoxication.With profuse loose stools, dehydration may develop; in 95-97% of patients, dehydration is I or III degree, in children sometimes severe dehydration with decompensated metabolic acidosis is observed. Acute renal failure and hemodynamic disorders are possible here. Palpation of the abdomen is accompanied by soreness in the epigastric and umbilical regions, rough rumbling in the right iliac region. The liver and spleen are not enlarged.

The diagnosis is established on the basis of complaints, clinical and laboratory data.Differential diagnosis is carried out with cholera, dysentery, escherichiosis, intestinal yersiniosis.

Treatment. Diet therapy (limiting milk, dairy and carbohydrate-rich foods). The basis is pathogenetic methods of therapy, primarily the restoration of fluid and electrolyte losses. Saline solutions are recommended, which are given to drink in small doses every 5-10 minutes. In addition to saline solutions, you can drink other liquids (tea, fruit drink, mineral water without gases).