The main children's infectious disease specialist of Crimea to parents about measures of preventing intestinal infections

So that the summer vacation is not overshadowed by the disease, the chief freelance specialist of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Crimea for infectious diseases in children Svetlana Usova reminds parents of important recommendations for the prevention of intestinal infections.

Intestinal infections, or acute intestinal disorders, is a group of diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract. They can be caused by bacteria (for example, salmonella, E. coli), viruses (for example, Rotavirus, Norovirus) or parasites. Especially vulnerable to these infections are young children, whose immunity has not yet been fully formed.

Intestinal infections are transmitted through dirty hands, household items, toys, contaminated water, by using poor -quality or incorrectly cooked food. Symptoms of the disease may not appear immediately — the incubation period from several hours to seven days. This is an increase in temperature, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness. When such symptoms appear, you should immediately seek medical help so that the doctor can correctly diagnose the infection and prescribe the necessary treatment. The independent use of drugs can be not only ineffective, but also dangerous. This is especially true for babies who quickly develop dehydration, which pose a serious threat to their life— said Svetlana Usova.

To prevent infection, simple prevention rules should be followed. First of all, we are talking about hygiene: it is necessary to teach the child personal hygiene rules and control their observance, it is also important to regularly disinfect the surfaces that children often contact: toys, door pens, gadgets.

Provide safe food — do not purchase foods in spontaneous trading places, on the beach, from dubious sellers «with hands». Wash fruits and vegetables carefully before use. Correctly store food, observing the temperature regime. Do not store food for a long time, even in the refrigerator, cook for one trick. Carefully fry or boil meat, eggs, fish, seafood. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Explain to the child that you can not swallow water when bathing in the pool, sea, river. In no case do not allow bathing in contaminated reservoirs and fountains— the doctor recommends.