What are the common symptoms of stomach flu. How long does stomach flu typically last. What are effective home remedies for treating stomach flu. How can you distinguish between stomach flu and food poisoning. What precautions should be taken to prevent spreading stomach flu.

Understanding the Stomach Flu: Causes and Symptoms

The stomach flu, medically known as gastroenteritis, is a common illness that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite its name, it’s not actually related to influenza. Instead, it’s caused by various viruses, bacteria, or parasites that inflame the digestive system.

What are the primary causes of stomach flu? The most common culprits include:

• Norovirus (responsible for over 50% of cases)
• Rotavirus
• Bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli

Recognizing the symptoms of stomach flu is crucial for proper management. The most common symptoms include:

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Low-grade fever
• Chills
• Muscle aches

How quickly do stomach flu symptoms appear? Symptoms can manifest as soon as 12 hours after exposure to the virus or bacteria. The duration of these symptoms can vary significantly, lasting anywhere from one to 14 days.

Stomach Flu vs. Food Poisoning: Spotting the Differences

Given the similarity in symptoms, it’s often challenging to differentiate between stomach flu and food poisoning. Both conditions can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and fever. However, there are some key factors that can help distinguish between the two:

Onset of Symptoms

Food poisoning symptoms typically occur within hours of consuming contaminated food. If you can recall eating something questionable recently, and especially if others who ate the same food are experiencing similar symptoms, food poisoning is likely the culprit.

Isolated Cases

If you’re the only one in your household or group experiencing symptoms, it’s more likely to be stomach flu. Viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious and can spread quickly among people in close contact.

Duration of Symptoms

Food poisoning symptoms often resolve more quickly than those of stomach flu, typically within 24-48 hours. Stomach flu can last several days to two weeks.

The Contagious Nature of Stomach Flu: Transmission and Prevention

How contagious is the stomach flu? Extremely. The viruses responsible for stomach flu are highly infectious and can spread rapidly, especially in closed environments like schools, cruise ships, or nursing homes.

What is the primary mode of transmission for stomach flu? The fecal-oral route is the main pathway. This means that viruses from infected feces or vomit find their way into our mouths through:

• Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face
• Consuming contaminated food or water

Why is norovirus particularly challenging to control? Noroviruses can survive on household surfaces for days, making them exceptionally easy to spread. This resilience contributes to their rapid transmission in communities.

Prevention Strategies

To minimize the risk of contracting or spreading stomach flu:

1. Practice thorough hand hygiene, especially after using the bathroom and before handling food
2. Disinfect contaminated surfaces with a bleach-based solution
3. Avoid preparing food for others when sick
4. Stay home from work or school until symptoms subside
5. Wash contaminated clothing and bedding thoroughly

Effective Home Remedies for Stomach Flu

While there’s no specific medical treatment for viral gastroenteritis, several self-care steps can help manage symptoms and promote recovery:

1. Hydration is Key

Why is staying hydrated crucial when battling stomach flu? Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to rapid fluid loss, potentially causing dehydration. To prevent this:

• Drink plenty of water
• Consume oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte (especially for children)
• Sip on clear broths or sports drinks (for older children and adults)

How should fluids be administered to children who are vomiting? Offer small amounts frequently, such as a few teaspoons every few minutes, to prevent overwhelming the stomach.

2. Dietary Considerations

What foods are recommended during stomach flu recovery?

• Boiled starches (potatoes, rice, noodles)
• Plain cereals with salt
• Crackers
• Bananas
• Clear soups
• Boiled vegetables

Which foods should be avoided until recovery?

• Dairy products
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Nicotine
• Fatty or highly-seasoned foods

3. Rest and Recovery

Why is rest important during stomach flu? The illness and potential dehydration can cause significant fatigue. Allowing your body to rest aids in recovery and helps conserve energy for fighting the infection.

4. Over-the-Counter Medications

Can over-the-counter medications help with stomach flu symptoms? For adults under 65 without fever or bloody stools, anti-diarrheal medications like loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) may provide relief for 1-2 days. However, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider before using these medications, especially for children or adults over 65.

Stomach Flu in Special Populations: Children and the Elderly

How does stomach flu affect children differently from adults? Children, especially young ones, are more susceptible to dehydration from stomach flu. They may also experience more severe symptoms and longer recovery times.

Managing Stomach Flu in Children

• Offer frequent small sips of oral rehydration solution
• Continue breastfeeding if applicable
• Monitor for signs of dehydration (dry mouth, decreased urination, lethargy)
• Consult a pediatrician if symptoms persist or worsen

Why are elderly individuals at higher risk during stomach flu? Older adults may have weaker immune systems and underlying health conditions that can complicate recovery. They’re also more prone to severe dehydration.

Caring for Elderly Patients with Stomach Flu

• Ensure adequate fluid intake
• Monitor for signs of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance
• Consult a healthcare provider before using over-the-counter medications
• Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or persistent

When to Seek Medical Attention for Stomach Flu

While most cases of stomach flu resolve on their own, certain situations warrant medical attention. When should you consult a doctor for stomach flu symptoms?

• Inability to keep liquids down for 24 hours
• Vomiting blood or having bloody stools
• Severe abdominal pain
• Signs of severe dehydration (extreme thirst, dark urine, dizziness)
• Fever above 104°F (40°C)
• Symptoms lasting more than a few days without improvement

For infants and young children, additional red flags include:

• Dry mouth and tears
• No wet diapers for 3 hours or more
• Sunken eyes or fontanelle (soft spot on the head)
• Excessive sleepiness or irritability

Stomach Flu and COVID-19: Navigating the Overlap

Can COVID-19 cause symptoms similar to stomach flu? Yes, approximately 20% of COVID-19 patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This overlap can make initial diagnosis challenging.

Differentiating Stomach Flu from COVID-19

How can you distinguish between stomach flu and COVID-19?

• Timing of symptoms: COVID-19 gastrointestinal symptoms often appear in the first couple of days before progressing to respiratory symptoms
• Additional symptoms: Watch for the development of fever, cough, fatigue, or loss of taste and smell, which are more indicative of COVID-19
• Duration: Stomach flu symptoms typically resolve faster than those of COVID-19

When should you consider getting tested for COVID-19? If you experience gastrointestinal symptoms followed by respiratory symptoms or other signs of COVID-19, consult your healthcare provider about testing options.

Precautionary Measures

Regardless of whether your symptoms are due to stomach flu or COVID-19, it’s crucial to:

• Stay home and isolate yourself from others
• Practice rigorous hand hygiene
• Wear a mask if you must be around others
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

Long-Term Health Implications of Recurrent Stomach Flu

While most cases of stomach flu are acute and resolve without complications, frequent or severe episodes can have long-term health implications. What are potential long-term effects of recurrent stomach flu?

• Disruption of gut microbiome balance
• Increased risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Temporary lactose intolerance
• Potential for malnutrition in severe cases

Protecting Gut Health After Stomach Flu

How can you support your digestive system after recovering from stomach flu?

1. Gradually reintroduce solid foods
2. Consider probiotic supplements or fermented foods to replenish beneficial gut bacteria
3. Stay hydrated to support digestive function
4. Avoid known gut irritants like alcohol and spicy foods for a period after recovery
5. Manage stress, which can impact gut health

By understanding the nature of stomach flu, recognizing its symptoms, and implementing appropriate care strategies, you can effectively manage this common but uncomfortable illness. Remember, while most cases resolve on their own, it’s important to stay vigilant for signs that medical attention may be necessary. With proper care and precautions, you can minimize the impact of stomach flu on your health and daily life.

Have the Stomach Flu? 4 Ways to Treat Symptoms at Home

There’s almost nothing worse than being bent over a toilet throwing up. And, sadly, it can be hard to know what caused you to be there in the first place. Kelli Miller, ANP, UnityPoint Health, lists the symptoms of the stomach flu and how long it lasts, plus ways to feel better, so you can get out of the bathroom and get back to normal.

Stomach Flu Symptoms

Miller says it’s easy to get confused about the difference between influenza, or “the flu,” and gastroenteritis, better known as “the stomach flu.” The stomach flu is caused by a number of viruses, mainly norovirus, which accounts for more than 50 percent of all cases, and others, like rotavirus. Bacteria, such salmonella and E. coli, can also be to blame. Getting the flu shot does not prevent you from getting the stomach flu, but it does prevent you from getting influenza.

“Stomach flu symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,” Miller says. “A low-grade fever, chills and muscle aches aren’t uncommon to experience as well. Symptoms can start as little as 12 hours after exposure.”

These symptoms can last anywhere from one to 14 days, and unfortunately, the stomach flu is extremely contagious.

“The stomach flu is spread by the fecal-oral route, which means the viruses from infected feces or vomit find their way into our mouths from either touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face or eating/drinking contaminated foods and/or water. Compared to other viruses, noroviruses can live for days on household surfaces, which is why they spread easily,” Miller says.

Stomach Flu vs. Food Poisoning

Miller says the clinical symptoms of the stomach flu and food poisoning overlap quite a bit, as you can have vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and fever with either one. She says the easiest way to determine the cause of your discomfort is to look back at your recent history.

“If your symptoms are caused by food poisoning, they tend to occur within hours after eating something. If you can recall eating something questionable, or if others who ate the same thing as you and have similar symptoms, you probably have food poisoning. If you are the only one who got sick, you more than likely picked up a viral illness,” Miller says. 

Stomach Flu vs. COVID-19

To make matters even more confusing, some people with COVID-19 (about 20% according to studies) experience stomach issues including nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Most people with those symptoms usually report developing them in the first couple of days and then go on to experience other respiratory or cold-like symptoms like fever, headache, cough and fatigue.

If you experience nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea, keep an eye out for other symptoms that may follow. If you notice a progression in the illness, talk with your doctor about getting tested for COVID-19. Remember, if you’re feeling sick, stay home and continue to wash your hands frequently.

How to Treat the Stomach Flu at Home

Miller says there’s often no specific medical treatment for viral gastroenteritis. Antibiotics aren’t effective against viruses and overusing them can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. She recommends treating the stomach flu with the following self-care steps:

• Keep drinking the right fluids. You’ll need to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration. In addition to water, older children and adults can drink sports drinks, like Gatorade, Power Aid, while babies and young children can have an oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte. If your child is vomiting, you can try to give your child a few teaspoons of fluid every few minutes. Babies who breastfeed can continue to breastfeed. But, you should avoid drinks with increased sugar content, such as juices or sodas, which can make diarrhea worse.
• Eat the right foods. If you don’t have an appetite, you should resort to drinking only liquids for a short period of time. Boiled starches (potatoes, noodles, rice, wheat and oats) and plain cereals with salt are recommended, if you have watery diarrhea. You may also try crackers, bananas, soup and boiled vegetables.
• Avoid heavy foods. On the other hand, you should avoid certain foods until you are feeling better. These include dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and fatty or highly-seasoned foods.
• Get plenty of rest. The illness or dehydration can make you feel tired.

“Adults under 65 years old with a new bout of diarrhea, with no fever or blood in bowel movements, can take medicine to stop diarrhea, such as loparmide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicyclate (Pepto Bismal) for one to two days, if they’re not allergic to these medications. Children and adults over the age of 65 should check with their health care provider before taking any over-the-counter medicines,” Miller says.

As contagious as it is, keeping your family from catching the stomach flu can be tricky. Miller offers these tips to protect against the viral infections that cause gastroenteritis:

• Immunize little ones. Infants can be immunized with the rotavirus vaccine. This is offered at 2, 4 and 6 months old during well-child visits.
• Simply wash your hands. Wash your hands often to stop the spread of germs. Hand sanitizer works after being in public as well.
• Give your home the once-over. Use household cleaning products to disinfect surfaces and objects, like countertops, doorknobs, handles, sinks, toilets, computer keyboards and phones.
• Separate your laundry loads. Wash laundry of those recovering from the stomach flu in different loads than the rest of your family.
• Keep your distance. Try to keep your children, especially newborns, away from anyone who is sick. If someone in your family is sick, stay home and do not go to work, school or day care. You should be symptom-free for 48 hours before returning.

When the Stomach Flu Requires a Doctor

While most stomach illnesses pass on their own, there are cases when medical attention is necessary. Miller recommends watching for signs of severe dehydration:

• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Confusion
• Increased heart rate over 100 beats per minute
• Increased breathing rate
• Dizziness, including when standing from a sitting or laying position
• Passing out
• Fatigue
• Dark yellow or amber colored urine
• No urination within the past six to eight hours (during the day)

In addition to severe dehydration, Miller also says the following are causes for concern, and if you experience these, contact your provider:

• Bloody stool/rectal bleeding or blood in vomit
• Vomiting for more than 24 hours
• Fever greater than 104 degrees
• Weight loss
• Severe abdominal pain
• Prolonged symptoms lasting more than a week
• Are currently pregnant

Lastly, call your baby’s doctor right away if your baby:

• Has vomiting lasting several hours
• Hasn’t had a wet diaper in six hours
• Has bloody stools or severe diarrhea
• Has a sunken soft spot (fontanel) on the top of his or her head
• Has a dry mouth or cries without tears
• Is unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive

If any of these symptoms are present, evaluation by a health care professional is needed right away, and IV hydration may need to be administered or possible admission to the hospital.

Does Gastroenteritis Cause a Low Grade Fever?

Does Gastroenteritis Cause a Low Grade Fever?

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA on August 3, 2022

Gastroenteritis is a common condition that causes an upset stomach, including diarrhea and abdominal cramping. But gastroenteritis symptoms aren’t limited to your stomach. You can also experience a low grade fever.

A low grade fever is commonly a sign that your body is fighting off the cause of your symptoms and is usually nothing to be concerned about. But if your body temperature continues to rise, you should seek medical attention.

Keep reading to find out more about the connections between gastroenteritis and fever.

Gastroenteritis primarily causes stomach-related symptoms, including:

• stomach cramping
• nausea
• vomiting

Typically, symptoms will seem to occur quickly and cause three or more bowel movements in a day.

Gastroenteritis can also cause a fever. Usually, the fever is less than 102°F (39°C). If your temperature exceeds this, the gastroenteritis cause is likely not viral-related, and you should seek medical care.

Having a fever (even a low grade one) usually means your body is building a response to illness. Higher body temperatures make viral or bacterial replication harder. The increase in body temperature can also trigger the immune system to react and kill off the viruses or bacteria.

Some of the most common viral gastroenteritis causes include noroviruses (the most common viral cause) and rotaviruses. But bacteria can also cause gastroenteritis. Examples of these include E. coli and Salmonella.

Is a fever common with gastroenteritis?

Diarrhea is the most common symptom that occurs with gastroenteritis. However, fever can occur with almost all gastroenteritis types. You won’t always get a fever when you have gastroenteritis, but it is possible.

Was this helpful?

A fever indicates you’re experiencing illness. Doctors usually consider a fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C). If you have a higher temperature, you have a fever and can likely pass the illness to another.

Gastroenteritis can be highly contagious. The condition can spread if you come in contact with stool or vomit. Improper handwashing or cleansing of surfaces can spread gastroenteritis-causing bacteria or viruses.

You can pass the condition to another if you’re experiencing symptoms. Until your body temperature decreases and your symptoms start to improve, you should practice physical or social distancing to keep them from getting sick.

Even when your fever starts to fall below 100.4°F (38°C) and your abdominal symptoms subside, you can still pass the condition to someone very young, very old, or immunocompromised.

For these reasons, it’s a good idea to continue practicing proper hand hygiene and cleaning potentially unsafe surfaces. Also, you may still want to avoid medically vulnerable individuals for a longer time. Based on your symptoms, you can ask a doctor how long you could still pass on the condition.

How long does a fever last with gastroenteritis?

Fever symptoms will subside within 4 to 5 days after you become ill. If your fever is very high or persists beyond this time, seek medical attention.

Was this helpful?

Gastroenteritis is usually a self-limiting condition. Most people with diarrhea will get better within 4 to 5 days of first being ill.

Treating a fever can be challenging when you have gastroenteritis. Your stomach can be so upset that you can’t swallow pills that would reduce the fever. If you can’t tolerate fluids and take medications, you can take an over-the-counter (OTC) fever reducer, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Other methods you can use to reduce discomfort from a fever include:

• drinking cool liquids, such as water, low-sugar sports drinks, or electrolyte-containing rehydration solutions
• eating popsicles
• taking a cool (but not cold) bath
• using a cool compress
• wearing loose, breathable clothing made of natural fibers, such as cotton

Drinking cool fluids when possible may not only help you feel cooler but can also help minimize dehydration. Dehydration can be a serious side effect of gastroenteritis. Frequent nausea and vomiting can keep you from getting enough fluids.

When to call your doctor

Sometimes, gastroenteritis can make you very ill, including becoming severely dehydrated. Signs you should see a doctor for your gastroenteritis include:

• blood or mucus in your stool (if present in large amounts, seek emergency medical attention)
• fever higher than 102°F (39°C)
• severe abdominal pain
• severe diarrhea that doesn’t stop after 3 or more days
• travel-related diarrhea that may not be severe but lasts beyond 7 days
• signs of severe dehydration such as headaches, dizziness, dark urine, and poor concentration

Was this helpful?

Gastroenteritis can be unpleasant, and a low grade fever can be a symptom of this condition. A fever over 100.4°F (38°C) could indicate a bacterial cause. Resting and maintaining your fluid balance when possible can help you.

Practice physical or social distancing and good handwashing and hygiene measures to prevent passing gastroenteritis to others. If your fever rises above 102°F (39°C), seek medical attention.

Last medically reviewed on August 3, 2022

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

• Definitions of signs, symptoms, and conditions of Ill travelers. (2017).
  cdc.gov/quarantine/maritime/definitions-signs-symptoms-conditions-ill-travelers.html
• Meier J. (2021). Viral acute gastroenteritis in special populations.
  sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889855321000157?via%3Dihub
• Stuempfig ND, et al. (2021). Viral gastroenteritis.
  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518995/
• Symptoms & causes of viral gastroenteritis (“stomach flu”). (2018).
  niddk.nih. gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/viral-gastroenteritis/symptoms-causes

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Aug 3, 2022

Written By

Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA

Edited By

Rayne Whitington

Medically Reviewed By

Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C

Copy Edited By

Douglas Backstrom

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA on August 3, 2022

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Viral gastroenteritis – Humanitas

Viral gastroenteritis – is an infection of the intestines that is characterized by watery stools, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever.

The most common viral gastroenteritis (sometimes called “stomach flu”) is transmitted through contact with a sick person or ingestion of contaminated food or water. If the state of health is otherwise normal, recovery will probably not be accompanied by complications. However, in infants, the elderly, and people with suppressed immune systems, viral gastroenteritis can be fatal.

There is no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is becoming more important. In addition to avoiding food and water that may be contaminated, the best defense is thorough and frequent handwashing.

Symptoms

Despite the common name “stomach flu”, gastroenteritis is different from the flu. The true flu only affects the respiratory system: nose, throat and lungs. Gastroenteritis affects the intestines, causing the following signs and symptoms:

• Watery stools, usually without blood – bloody diarrhea often indicates another, more severe infection.
• Abdominal cramps and pain
• Nausea, vomiting or both
• Periodic muscle pain and headaches
• Low temperature

Depending on the cause, symptoms of viral gastroenteritis may appear within one to three days after infection and may be mild or severe. Symptoms usually persist for one to two days, but can sometimes persist for up to 10 days.

Because the symptoms are similar, viral diarrhea can easily be mistaken for diarrhea caused by bacteria, such as salmonella and E. coli, or parasites, such as giardia.

Conditions requiring medical attention

An adult should seek medical attention in the following cases:

• Fluid is not retained within 24 hours
• Vomiting for more than two days
• Hematemesis
• Dehydration: Signs of dehydration include extreme thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine, infrequent or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Detection of blood impurities in feces
• Temperature above 40°C (104°F)
• In infants and young children

If your child has any of the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately:

• Temperature 38.9C (102 F) and above
• Drowsiness or irritability
• Feeling that the child is in severe discomfort or pain
• Bloody diarrhea
• Child feels dehydrated: monitor for signs of dehydration in sick infants and young children by comparing fluid intake and urine output with the child’s normal intake

If you have a small child, remember that if daily spitting up is not a cause for concern, then vomiting is not the norm. Vomiting in children appears for various reasons, many of which require medical intervention.

If a child has any of the following, see a doctor immediately:

• Vomiting for several hours
• Diaper dry for six hours
• Bloody stools or severe diarrhea
• Sunken fontanel – soft spot on top of child
• The child has a dry mouth or no tears when crying
• Unusual drowsiness, no response

Complications

The main complication of viral gastroenteritis is severe loss of water and important salts and minerals. If the body is healthy and the person is drinking enough fluid to replace the fluid excreted through vomiting or diarrhea, dehydration is not dangerous.

Young children, the elderly, or people with a suppressed immune system can become severely dehydrated if the amount of fluid they take in cannot replace the amount of fluid lost. In this case, hospitalization may be required, where the lost fluid will be restored intravenously. In rare cases, dehydration can lead to death.

symptoms and treatment (reminder for parents)

Enteroviral infections – is a group of diseases, the causes of which are based on several types of viruses. The disease is caused by Coxsackieviruses, polioviruses and ECHO (ECHO).

After an enterovirus infection, persistent lifelong immunity is formed, however, it is serospecific. This means that immunity is formed only to the serological type of virus that the child has had and does not protect him from other varieties of these viruses. Therefore, a child can get sick with an enterovirus infection several times in his life. Also, this feature does not allow the development of a vaccine to protect our children from this disease. The disease has a seasonality: outbreaks of the disease are most often observed in the summer-autumn period.

Causes of infection with enterovirus infection.

Infection occurs in several ways. Viruses can enter the environment from a sick child or from a child who is a carrier of the virus. Virus carriers do not have any manifestations of the disease, but the viruses are in the intestines and are excreted into the environment with feces. This condition can be observed in children who have been ill after a clinical recovery, or in children in whom the virus has entered the body, but could not cause the disease due to the strong immunity of the child. The virus carrier can persist for 5 months.

Once in the environment, viruses can persist for quite a long time, as they tolerate adverse effects well. Viruses are well preserved in water and soil; when frozen, they can survive for several years; heated to 45ºС die in 45-60 seconds).

How enterovirus infection is transmitted.

The transmission mechanism can be airborne (when sneezing and coughing with droplets of saliva from a sick child to a healthy one) and fecal-oral if personal hygiene is not followed. Most often, infection occurs through water, when drinking raw (not boiled) water. It is also possible to infect children through toys if children take them in their mouths. Most often, children aged 3 to 10 years are ill. In children who are breastfed, there is immunity in the body received from the mother through breast milk, however, this immunity is not stable and quickly disappears after the cessation of breastfeeding.

Symptoms of enterovirus infection.

Viruses enter the body through the mouth or upper respiratory tract. Once in the child’s body, the viruses migrate to the lymph nodes, where they settle and begin to multiply. The further development of the disease is associated with many factors, such as virulence (the ability of the virus to resist the protective properties of the body), tropism (the tendency to infect individual tissues and organs) of the virus, and the state of the child’s immunity.

Enteroviral infections have both similar manifestations and different ones, depending on the species and serotype. The incubation period (the period from the virus entering the child’s body until the first clinical signs appear) is the same for all enterovirus infections – from 1 to 10 days (usually 2-5 days).

The disease begins acutely – with an increase in body temperature to 38-39º C. The temperature most often lasts 3-5 days, after which it drops to normal numbers. Very often, the temperature has a wave-like course: the temperature stays for 2-3 days, after which it decreases and stays at normal levels for 2-3 days, then rises again for 1-2 days and finally returns to normal. When the temperature rises, the child feels weakness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, and vomiting may occur. With a decrease in body temperature, all these symptoms disappear, but with a repeated increase, they may return. The cervical and submandibular lymph nodes also increase, as viruses multiply in them.

Depending on which organs are most affected, there are several forms of enterovirus infection. Enteroviruses can affect: the central and peripheral nervous systems, oropharyngeal mucosa, eye mucosa, skin, muscles, heart, intestinal mucosa, liver; in boys, testicular damage is possible.

When the mucous membrane of the oropharynx is affected, enterovirus angina develops. It is manifested by an increase in body temperature, general intoxication (weakness, headache, drowsiness) and the presence of a vesicular rash in the form of bubbles filled with liquid on the mucous membrane of the oropharynx and tonsils. These bubbles burst, in their place ulcers are formed, filled with white bloom. After recovery, no traces remain at the site of the sores.

When the eyes are affected, conjunctivitis develops. It can be one- or two-sided. It manifests itself in the form of photophobia, lacrimation, redness and swelling of the eyes. There may be hemorrhages in the conjunctiva of the eye.

With muscle damage, myositis develops – muscle pain. Pain appears on the background of an increase in temperature. Soreness is observed in the chest, arms and legs. The appearance of pain in the muscles, as well as temperature, can be undulating. When the body temperature decreases, the pain decreases or disappears completely.

With damage to the intestinal mucosa (enteritis), there is a liquid stool. Stools of normal color (yellow or brown), liquid, without pathological (mucus, blood) impurities. The appearance of loose stools can be both against the background of an increase in temperature, and isolated (without an increase in body temperature).

Enteroviral infections can affect various parts of the heart. So, if the muscle layer is damaged, myocarditis develops, if the inner layer is damaged with capture of the heart valves, endocarditis develops, if the outer shell of the heart is damaged, pericarditis develops. The child may experience: increased fatigue, weakness, palpitations, drop in blood pressure, rhythm disturbances (blockade, extrasystoles), pain behind the sternum.

With damage to the nervous system, encephalitis, meningitis can develop. The child has: severe headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, convulsions, paresis and paralysis, loss of consciousness.

With liver damage, acute hepatitis develops. It is characterized by an increase in the liver, a feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium, pain in this place. Perhaps the appearance of nausea, heartburn, weakness, fever.

When the skin is damaged, exanthema may appear – hyperemia (red coloration) of the skin, most often on the upper half of the body (head, chest, arms), does not rise above the level of the skin, appears simultaneously.

Boys may have inflammation in the testicles with the development of morchitis. Most often, this condition develops 2-3 weeks after the onset of the disease with other manifestations (tonsillitis, loose stools, and others). The disease passes quite quickly and does not bear any consequences, however, in rare cases, the development of aspermia (lack of sperm) in adulthood is possible.

There are also congenital forms of enterovirus infection, when viruses enter the child’s body through the placenta from the mother. Usually, this condition has a benign course and is cured on its own, however, in some cases, an enterovirus infection can cause an abortion (miscarriage) and the development of a sudden death syndrome in a child (the death of a child occurs against the background of complete health).

Very rarely, damage to the kidneys, pancreas, lungs is possible. The defeat of various organs and systems can be observed both isolated and combined.

Treatment of enterovirus infection

There is no specific treatment for enterovirus infection. Treatment is carried out at home, hospitalization is indicated in the presence of damage to the nervous system, heart, high temperature, which cannot be reduced for a long time when using antipyretics. The child is shown bed rest for the entire period of fever.

Meals should be light, rich in proteins. A sufficient amount of liquid is needed: boiled water, mineral water without gases, compotes, juices, fruit drinks.

Treatment is carried out symptomatically, depending on the manifestations of the infection – tonsillitis, conjunctivitis, myositis, loose stools, heart damage, encephalitis, meningitis, hepatitis, exanthema, orchitis. In some cases (tonsillitis, diarrhea, conjunctivitis …) bacterial complications are prevented.

Children are isolated for the entire period of the disease. In the children’s team may be after the disappearance of all symptoms of the disease.

Prevention of enterovirus infection.

For prevention, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene: wash hands after going to the toilet, walking on the street, drinking only boiled water or water from a factory bottle, it is unacceptable to use water from an open source (river, lake) to drink a child.