Therapeutic nutrition for acute intestinal infections in children

The diet of modern man is very far from ideal. An excess of easily digestible carbohydrates, fast food and snacks, alcohol, flavor enhancers and preservatives, combined with a lack of cereals, fruits and vegetables, lead to excess weight gain, metabolic disorders and gastrointestinal problems. At the same time, many of us do not think about the fact that most bad habits “come from childhood.” And vicious eating habits are no exception.

Proper nutrition in childhood is the key to the absence of health problems in the future. Pediatric specialists have proven that adipose tissue cells, which provide energy balance, are formed mainly during the first years of life. Therefore, one of the main prerequisites for future obesity is an insufficiently balanced diet in childhood.

In addition, the child’s diet becomes a kind of “foundation” for his full life, physical and mental development, and immune support. Therefore, nutrition in childhood should be as thoughtful as possible, and also provide the body with a sufficient amount of all necessary substances, minerals and vitamins.

What is the danger of the disease

At the initial stage, rotavirus infection is accompanied by sneezing and fever, so it can easily be confused with ARVI. Diagnosing this disease is quite difficult. But it is important to identify it as early as possible, because if it drags on, the infection can become severe and cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms.

Transmission of the virus of this disease occurs quickly. Infection with it can occur not only during communication with a carrier, but also during contact with hygiene and household items, as well as through food and water.

When a virus enters the body of a healthy person, it immediately penetrates the digestive system.
First of all, it enters the small intestine, then the large intestine. This results in diarrhea. What signs are accompanied by rotavirus intestinal infection:

• increased body temperature;
• the occurrence of diarrhea;
• severe pain in the abdominal area;
• state of weakness and malaise.

The main danger of rotavirus infection is that diarrhea causes dehydration. Doctors use a special diet to completely correct dehydration and completely eliminate it.

Sources:

1. Clinical recommendations. Rotavirus gastroenteritis in children. International public organization "Euro-Asian Society for Infectious Diseases", Interregional public organization "Association of Infectious Disease Doctors of St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region", 2022.
2. Khlynina Yu.O. Rotavirus infection in children. Medicinal bulletin. 2020; 2(78; 14): 47-52.
3. Usenko D.V., Ploskireva A.A., Gorelov A.V. Acute intestinal infections in children in pediatric practice: diagnostic and therapeutic options. Issues of modern pediatrics. 2014; 13 (3): 12–20.
4. Fayzullina R.A., Samorodnova E.A. Medical nutrition for children. Kazan: KSMU, 2015. 104 p.
5. Gorelov A.V. Principles of treatment of acute intestinal infections in children. Pocket recommendations for pediatrics / Chapter 7. – pp. 237-265. URL: https://remedium.ru/public/books/karmannye-rekomendatsii-pediatriya/
6. Surkov A.N. Tactics for the treatment of acute intestinal infections in children. Issues of modern pediatrics. 2011; 10 (6); 141-147
7. Instructions for use of the drug Anaferon® for children, lozenges / Registration number LP-N (000023)-(RG-RU) / RF GRLS. – https://grls.rosminzdrav.ru/Grls_View_v2.aspx?routingGuid=2ba954e0-47b6-4d93-a96e-d03cc7695d2c&t= (date of access: 11/10/2021, access mode - free).
8. Gorelov A.V., Ploskireva A.A., Tkhakushinova N.Kh. Clinical and virological assessment of the effectiveness of an interferon inducer containing antibodies to interferon gamma in a release-active form in the treatment of acute viral intestinal infections. Infectious diseases. 2012; 10(3): 56-62.

What products are prohibited

Since rotavirus infection causes diarrhea, which causes dehydration, you should first remove foods from your diet that enhance this process. Children over 2 years old and adults should pay attention to some foods that should be excluded from the menu if they have a rotavirus infection:

1. Dairy products, because they have an irritating effect on the intestines, which during this period are in an inflamed state. It is not recommended to eat sour cream, cheese, yogurt;
2. Heavy foods – fried and fatty. Its use has a negative effect on the body.
3. Fast food, chips and all kinds of desserts.
4. Coffee. This drink has an irritating effect on the structure of the intestinal lining and aggravates its condition. It is advisable to replace caffeinated drinks with juices, water or weak tea.
5. During the recovery period, you should reduce the amount of food consumed. Portions should be small, but you need to eat often, up to 5-6 times a day. If there is no appetite, then you should drink as much fluid as possible, up to 3 liters per day.
6. Smoked meats, sausages, salted foods and canned goods.
7. Porridge from millet, pearl barley, barley, pasta.
8. Onions, garlic, cabbage, radishes.

Therapeutic nutrition for acute intestinal infections in children

Acute intestinal infections (AI) are a large group of human infectious diseases with an enteral (fecal-oral) mechanism of infection, caused by pathogenic (Shigella, Salmonella, etc.) and opportunistic bacteria (Proteus, Klebsiella, Clostridia, etc.), viruses (rota-, astro-, adeno-, caliciviruses) or protozoa (dysenteric amoeba, cryptosporidium, balantidia coli, etc.).

ACIs still occupy a leading place in the infectious pathology of childhood, second only to influenza and acute respiratory infections in terms of incidence. According to WHO, up to 1–1.2 billion “diarrheal” diseases are registered annually in the world and about 5 million children die annually from intestinal infections and their complications.

The leading component of treatment for acute intestinal infections is a rational therapeutic diet, adapted to the age of the child, the nature of the previous disease and feeding.

The goal of diet therapy is to reduce inflammatory changes in the gastrointestinal tract, normalize functional activity and digestive processes, and maximize sparing of the intestinal mucosa.

It is fundamentally important to avoid taking “hunger” or “water-tea” breaks, since even with severe forms of acute intestinal infections, the digestive function of the intestine is preserved, and “starvation diets” significantly weaken the body’s defenses and slow down the processes of mucosal restoration.

Basic requirements for diet for acute intestinal infections:

• food should be mechanically and chemically gentle, easily digestible, varied in taste;
• culinary processing: food is steamed, boiled, pureed, mashed;
• restriction in the diet of fats, carbohydrates, table salt and calories;
• introducing sufficient amounts of protein;
• inclusion in diets of low- and lactose-free foods and fermented milk products enriched with bifidobacteria and lactobacilli;
• reduction in the amount of food in the first days of illness by 15–20% (in severe forms up to 50%) of the physiological need;
• eating warm food (33–38 ° C) in 5–6 meals.

Excluded from the diet are stimulants of intestinal motility, foods and dishes that enhance the processes of fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines: raw, sour berries and fruits, juices, raw vegetables, butter and vegetable oils (in their pure form), sweets, fresh baked goods. Do not give legumes, beets, cucumbers, sauerkraut, radishes, oranges, pears, tangerines, plums, grapes. Oatmeal is not recommended, as it enhances fermentation processes. Fatty varieties of meat and fish products (pork, lamb, goose, duck, salmon, etc.) should be excluded from the diet.

Whole milk should not be prescribed in the acute period of intestinal infections, as it enhances intestinal motility and fermentation processes as a result of impaired breakdown of milk sugar (lactose), which is accompanied by increased watery diarrhea and bloating.

In the first days of the disease, black bread is also excluded, which increases intestinal motility and increases the frequency of stools.

When the manifestations of intoxication decrease, vomiting stops and appetite improves, cottage cheese, meat (beef, veal, turkey, rabbit in the form of cutlets, meatballs, dumplings), low-fat fish, egg yolk and steam omelet are introduced. Thinly sliced ​​crackers from white bread, porridge with water (except millet and pearl barley), slimy soups, cereal soups with boiled vermicelli in a weak meat broth are allowed.

In the acute period of the disease, it is recommended to use lactic acid products (kefir, acidophilus mixtures, etc.). Lactic acid products, due to the active action of the lactobacilli, bifidobacteria they contain, the end products of casein proteolysis (amino acids and peptides, glutamic acid, threonine, etc.), the increased amount of vitamins B, C, etc. help improve digestion processes and assimilation of food, have a stimulating effect influence on the secretory and motor functions of the intestine, improve the absorption of nitrogen, calcium salts and fat. In addition, kefir has an antitoxic and bactericidal effect on pathogenic and opportunistic flora due to the presence of lactic acid and lactobacilli. However, long-term use of only kefir or other lactic acid mixtures is impractical, since these products are poor in proteins and fats. A medicinal fermented milk product is Lactofidus, a low-lactose product enriched with bifidobacteria.

When treating children with ACI during the recovery period, it is necessary to widely use fruit and vegetable products (apples, carrots, potatoes, etc.), as they contain a large amount of pectin. Pectin is a colloid that has the ability to bind water and swell, forming a foamy mass that, passing through the intestinal tract, adsorbs the remains of nutrients, bacteria, and toxic products. In an acidic environment, calcium is easily cleaved from pectin, providing an anti-inflammatory effect on the intestinal mucosa. Fruits and vegetables contain organic acids that have a bactericidal effect, as well as a large amount of vitamins, glucose, fructose, carotene, etc. The use of boiled vegetables and baked fruits already in the acute period of intestinal infections contributes to a more rapid disappearance of intoxication, normalization of stools and recovery.

Infant nutrition

The optimal type of nutrition for infants is mother's milk, which is prescribed in fractions up to 10 times a day (50.0 ml every 2 hours). It is possible to apply the principle of “free feeding”.

Recently, in the clinic of intestinal infections, preference is given to prescribing low- and lactose-free formulas (Low-lactose Nutrilon, Frisopep, Humana LP + MCT, soy mixtures) to children who are bottle-fed. In severe forms of acute intestinal infections and the development of malnutrition, hydrolyzed mixtures (Nutrilon Pepti TSC, Nutrimigen, Alfare, Pregestimil, etc.) are widely used, promoting the rapid restoration of secretion and absorption processes in the intestine and the absorption of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which prevents the development of fermentopathy in the outcome of intestinal infections (table).

According to our data, as a result of a clinical and laboratory assessment of the effect of low-lactose mixtures on the clinical picture and state of the intestinal microbiocenosis during viral diarrhea in young children, a positive effect was obtained in stimulating the functional activity of normal and, first of all, saccharolytic microflora (by stabilizing the indicators of acetic, oily) and propionic acids), as well as a regulating effect on the metabolic processes of carbohydrates and fats during the acute period of the disease. The clinical effect consisted of rapid and persistent relief of the main manifestations of the disease: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal syndrome and exicosis, which, along with good tolerability, made it possible to recommend low-lactose mixtures for use as therapeutic nutrition in young children during the acute period of intestinal infections of viral etiology.

The tactics of feeding and introducing complementary foods in patients with acute intestinal infections are individual. The frequency of feedings and the amount of food per meal are determined by the age of the child, the severity of the disease, the presence and frequency of vomiting and regurgitation. It is important to take into account that with 8-10 feedings (every 2 hours) with a mandatory night break of 6 hours, the child should receive 10-50 ml of food per feeding, with 8 feedings (every 2.5 hours) - 60-50 ml of food. 80 ml, with 7 times (after 3 hours) - 90-110 ml, with 6 times (after 3.5 hours) - 120-160 ml, with 5 times (after 4 hours) - 170-200 ml. The missing amount of nutrition to the physiological requirement for children of the first year of life should be replaced with liquid (glucose-saline solutions - Regidron, Glucosolan, etc.).

When unloading the diet daily, the volume of food increases by 20–30 ml per feeding and the frequency of feedings changes accordingly, that is, the interval between feedings increases. If the disease dynamics are positive and appetite is improved, it is necessary to bring the daily amount of food to the physiological requirement no later than 3–5 days from the start of treatment.

Children 5–6 months old, with improvement in condition and positive dynamics in the gastrointestinal tract, are prescribed complementary feeding with porridge prepared from rice, semolina, buckwheat with half-and-half milk (or water for rotavirus infection). Porridge is prescribed in an amount of 50–100–150 g, depending on the age of the child and the method of feeding before the disease. After a few days, add 10–20 g of cottage cheese made from boiled milk to this complementary food, and then vegetable purees, berry or fruit jelly in the amount of 50–100–150 ml, and juices.

The diet of children 7–8 months old should be more varied. When their condition improves, they are prescribed not only porridge, cottage cheese and jelly, but also vegetable purees, 1/2 or 1/4 of a chicken egg yolk, then broths, vegetable soup and minced meat. It is allowed to add butter to porridge and vegetable puree. The yolk (the egg must be hard-boiled) can be given separately or added to porridge, vegetable puree, or soup.

Nutrition for children over one year old is based on the same principle as for infants. Only the one-time volume of food increases and foods recommended for feeding healthy children of this age are included in the diet more quickly. In the acute period of the disease, especially in the presence of frequent vomiting, dietary relief should be carried out. On the first day, the child is prescribed kefir 100–150–200 ml (depending on age) every 3–3.5 hours. Then they switch to a diet appropriate for their age, but with the exclusion of prohibited foods. In the acute period of the disease, all food is given in pureed form, and steam cooking of second courses is used. Cereals for preparing porridge and side dishes, vegetables are boiled until soft. The set of products should be varied and contain fermented milk mixtures, kefir, cottage cheese, cream, butter, soups, meat, fish, eggs, potatoes, fresh vegetables and fruits. You can use canned vegetables and fruits for baby food. Avoid foods that are rich in fiber and cause flatulence (legumes, beets, turnips, rye bread, cucumbers, etc.) from the diet. We recommend watermelons, blueberries, lemons, jelly from various berries, jellies, compotes, mousses, to which it is advisable to add freshly extracted juice from cranberries and lemon.

Properly organized nutrition for a child with an intestinal infection from the first days of the disease is one of the main conditions for a smooth course of the disease and a quick recovery. Inadequate nutrition and dietary errors can worsen the child's condition, as can long-term dietary restrictions. It is important to remember that at all stages of treatment for acute intestinal infections, it is necessary to strive for adequate physiological nutrition, taking into account the age and functional state of the child’s gastrointestinal tract.

Significant difficulties in diet therapy arise in children with the development of post-infectious fermentopathy, which develops at different stages of the disease and is characterized by impaired digestion and absorption of food due to a lack of enzymes.

With ACI, especially with salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, occurring with reactive pancreatitis, there is a violation of fat absorption and the appearance of steatorrhea - copious, shiny stools, light gray with an unpleasant odor. Diet therapy for steatorrhea is carried out with restriction of fat in the diet, but not more than 3-4 mg/kg body weight per day for children of the first year of life. This is achieved by replacing part of the dairy products with specialized low-fat products (Acidolact) and foreign-made mixtures, which contain medium-chain triglycerides as a fat component, which practically do not require pancreatic lipase for absorption (Nutrilon Pepti TSC, Humana LP + MCT, Alfare, Pregestimil , Frisopep, etc.). If signs of acute pancreatitis appear, exclude fresh fruits, berries, vegetables, and concentrated fruit juices from the diet for up to 1 month.

The most common form of enzymatic deficiency in acute intestinal infections, especially with rotavirus infection, escherichiosis, cryptosporidiasis, is disaccharidase deficiency (impaired breakdown of carbohydrates, primarily milk sugar - lactose). In this case, there is frequent “splashing” stool, watery with a sour smell, bloating, regurgitation and anxiety after feeding.

For lactase deficiency, it is recommended to use adapted low-lactose mixtures (Low-lactose Nutrilon, Frisopep, Humana LP + MCT, etc.) or soy mixtures (Nutrilon Soya, Frisosoy, Humana SL, Similak Izomil, Enfamil Soya, etc.). In their absence - 3-day kefir; Children in the first three months of life can be given a mixture of type B-kefir, consisting of 1/3 rice water and 2/3 3-day kefir with the addition of 5% sugar (glucose, fructose), 10% porridge in water, vegetable decoctions.

As complementary foods, these patients are given dairy-free porridge and vegetable purees in water with vegetable or butter, cottage cheese washed from whey, meat puree, and baked apple. Schemes for introducing complementary foods can be individualized; attention should be paid to the early administration of meat (daily dose in 3-4 doses). Avoid the use of sweet fruit juices, products that increase gas formation in the intestines and enhance peristalsis (rye bread, white cabbage, beets and other vegetables with coarse fiber, fruit peels, prunes, dried fruits). The duration of adherence to a low-lactose diet varies from person to person – from 1.5–2 to 6 months.

After severe intestinal infections, intolerance not only to lactose, but also to other disaccharides, may occur, less often - complete carbohydrate intolerance (glucose-galactose malabsorption), in which patients experience severe diarrhea, which is aggravated by the use of mixtures and products containing disaccharides, monosaccharides and starch ( milk and soy mixtures, cereals and almost all fruits and vegetables). This extremely severe condition, leading to dehydration and progressive degeneration, requires a strict carbohydrate-free diet and parenteral glucose or total parenteral nutrition. In some cases, oral administration of fructose is possible. With individual tolerance, protein and fat-containing foods are retained in the diet: lean meat - turkey, horse meat, beef, rabbit, vegetable oil, a limited range of vegetables with low sucrose and glucose content - cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, spinach, green beans, salad.

Protein deficiency occurs due to impaired utilization, absorption, or loss of endogenous protein, especially in children with initial malnutrition. Correction of protein losses is carried out by prescribing hydrolyzed mixtures (Nutrilon Pepti TSC, Nutrimigen, Alfare, Pregestimil, Frisopep, etc.).

With prolonged post-infectious diarrhea, especially in children who have received repeated courses of antibacterial drugs, it is possible to develop a secondary food allergy, accompanied by sensitization to cow's milk proteins, and less often to egg whites and cereal proteins. Such disorders can occur not only in children with allergic diathesis, but also in patients without a burdened premorbid background. Clinically, post-infectious food allergy is manifested by hypersensitivity to previously well-tolerated products - infant formula, milk porridge, cottage cheese, etc. Children experience abdominal pain, bloating after feeding, regurgitation, loose stools with cloudy glassy mucus, sometimes streaked with blood, during scatological examination Eosinophils are found in the stool. Characterized by a stop in body weight gain, up to the development of malnutrition.

When an allergy to cow's milk proteins is detected in the diet of children of the first year of life, mixtures based on soy (Nutrilak Soya, Nutrilon Soya, Frisosoy, Humana SL, Enfamil Soya, etc.) and based on protein hydrolysates (Nutrilon Pepti TSC, Nutrimigen, Pregestimil, Frisopep, etc.).

The lack of specialized products is not an insurmountable obstacle to organizing a dairy-free diet. The elimination diet in this case is based on dairy-free pureed porridges (rice, buckwheat, corn), fruit and vegetable purees, potatoes, zucchini, cauliflower, pumpkin, baked apples, bananas, vegetable and butter, and meat purees. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the child’s physiological needs for basic nutrients and energy. Meat puree, as the main source of protein, in the absence of specialized mixtures, can be prescribed from 2–3 months of age. It is preferable to use horse meat, rabbit meat, poultry, lean pork, as well as dietary canned meat - Little Humpbacked Horse, Cheburashka, Cockerel, Pork puree, etc.

For children older than one year, the principle of preparing a diet is the same. When prescribing a dairy-free diet, it is necessary to completely compensate for the missing amount of animal protein with meat proteins, soy mixtures, and also exclude from the diet foods that have increased sensitizing activity (chocolate, fish, citrus fruits, carrots, beets, red apples, apricots and other orange or red fruits). , nuts, honey). For post-infectious food allergies, the period of adherence to the specified diet is at least 3 months, and more often - from 6 to 12 months. The effect of an elimination diet is assessed by the disappearance of symptoms of the disease, weight gain, and normalization of stool.

L. N. Mazankova , Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor N. O. Ilyina , Candidate of Medical Sciences L. V. Begiashvili RMAPO , Moscow

For questions regarding literature, please contact the editor.

Authorized Products

It is also important to eat properly after rotavirus. During the period when appetite is restored, children and adults can include the following types of products in their menu:

• homemade croutons made from white loaf pulp;
• drying and biscuit-type cookies;
• porridge from rice, semolina, buckwheat. A little later - oatmeal in water without butter and granulated sugar;
• low-fat broths, for example, from vegetables, and secondary broth from meat or fish is also allowed;
• soups with heavily boiled vegetables and cereals;
• steamed omelette or soft-boiled egg, no more than one per day;
• fish and meat soufflé, meatballs, quenelles, cutlets. All these dishes need to be steamed; it is recommended to use chicken, turkey for meat, and hake, pollock, cod for fish;
• non-sour apples baked in the oven;
• puree from boiled carrots or potatoes, but they must be boiled in water. You cannot put butter and milk in the puree;
• if there is no diarrhea, then you can include pumpkin or squash puree in the menu;
• on days 3-4, fresh cottage cheese is added in a mashed state;
• on days 3-4 it is allowed to drink fermented milk drinks - acidophilus, activia, lactobacillin, bifidoc.

Fully or partially limited products

• The diet for rotavirus infection includes the exclusion of highly concentrated meat broths and dishes based on them.
• You should not eat fresh white and rye bread, fatty meat, sausages, canned food (meat and fish), smoked meats, duck, goose, fried or hard-boiled chicken eggs, whole milk, cream, fatty sharp cheeses, sour cream.
• It is not recommended to eat first courses containing cabbage (cabbage soup, borscht), as it promotes bloating and flatulence.
• It is not allowed to include white and cauliflower cabbage, pasta, legumes, dumplings, dumplings, wheat, pearl barley, barley porridge in the diet.
• Limit foods that are rich in fiber and have an irritating effect on the gastrointestinal mucosa (spicy seasonings, sauces, salty and pickled dishes, ketchups).
• It is not recommended to drink strong coffee, Sprite, cola, alcoholic and carbonated drinks.

Table of prohibited products

Recommended drinks

During treatment for rotavirus, it is important to prevent dehydration, especially in children. For this reason, half of the diet should be liquid. The virus can be washed off not only with ordinary and mineral water, but it can also be quickly removed using teas, juices, decoctions, jelly and other home-made drinks.

You should drink as often as possible, but in small quantities. At the beginning of the disease, to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, you should drink a rehydron solution. However, due to the fact that this drink has a specific taste, not everyone wants to drink it, especially children.

At home, you can prepare a rather tasty drink with a medicinal effect. The drink will require the following components:

1. Warm water – 1 liter.
2. Salt – 1 tsp.
3. Baking soda – ½ tsp.
4. Granulated sugar – 2 tsp.
5. Raisins – 100 grams.

The raisins should be soaked until they soften. Then knead it a little, put it in a container and fill it with water. Next, the container is placed on the fire. Boil for about an hour. The pan must be removed from the stove, the solution should be filtered through gauze material. All components are added to the solution. The drink is placed on the fire again for 3-4 minutes. You can add chamomile or mint tea to the finished drink.

You can make the following drinks for children from 2 to 5 years old:

• sugar-free compotes based on dried fruits and dried berries;
• homemade jelly. Kissel can be made from corn starch and water; juice or homemade jam can be added to improve the taste;
• juice from carrots and apples. Apples and carrots should be boiled, then they are ground in a blender until pureed. The puree is diluted with warm boiled water, a little granulated sugar is added;
• rice based broth;
• weakly brewed tea;
• decoctions of chamomile, rose hips, mint.

Diet features

If a patient is diagnosed with rotavirus, then first of all it is necessary to prescribe a certain dietary intake. The diet for rotavirus in adults should consist only of approved foods, as well as dishes from the dietary menu of table No. 4.

During this period, the patient may experience poor or complete lack of appetite. You should not force him to eat; it is best to give him as much fluid as possible, this will restore the water-salt balance in the body.

Be sure to follow important dietary recommendations:

1. Treatment should be based on increased fluid intake. It is recommended to drink a lot of mineral and ordinary water, as well as rehydron solution.
2. During the day, 5-6 meals are allowed. Portions should be small.
3. After each meal, it is imperative to monitor the patient’s condition. If he experiences deterioration after consuming a certain product, then it should be removed from the diet.
4. Nutrition for rotavirus in children and adults should be carefully considered. It is recommended to consume light, easily digestible foods with increased levels of nutrients.
5. Since at this time the patient has a decreased appetite, all dishes should be tasty and appetizing. It is important during this period to diversify your diet, make it interesting, but at the same time healthy.
6. During the day, the patient can make porridge with a high level of carbohydrates, vegetables, stewed or raw. It is advisable to include fruits with a high content of vitamin C, they will boost the immune system.
7. To improve the condition of the microflora of the digestive organs, you need to drink broths once a day.
8. Dietary nutrition for rotavirus infection usually lasts from 5 to 7 days, sometimes a little more, it all depends on the dynamics of recovery.

Features of nutrition after rotavirus

The diet after rotavirus may include various foods, but it is recommended to introduce them with extreme caution. At the initial stage, it is worth consuming one product at a time and in small quantities, then gradually increase.

After rotavirus, you should not immediately return to your usual diet. Especially if it does not meet the standards of proper and healthy eating. It is advisable that healthy foods with a high content of vitamins be present during this period.

How to eat properly after this illness:

• in the first period it is worth eating light dishes from vegetables, porridge, and some lean meat is also allowed;
• after an illness, the body is greatly weakened, so it should be protected from the effects of various stresses;
• in order not to put too much strain on the internal organs, you should exclude all fried, fatty foods from your diet, you should remove rich soups with fatty meats, coffee;
• It is recommended to drink fluids as much as possible and stay in the fresh air.

Recommended dishes and diet

Severe vomiting may be a symptom of rotavirus infection

The most important thing is that you don’t have to force feed your baby. Abstaining from food is one of the techniques for speedy rehabilitation of the body after vomiting. The child is offered food every 2-2.5 hours, the total number of meals can be up to 6-7 times. The volume of portions also changes compared to the usual diet; portions become smaller.

After 3-5 days, it is possible to return to the previous amount of food if problems with vomiting no longer occur. A gentle diet and nutrition regimen should be followed for 1-3 weeks after vomiting. Basic dietary requirements for children:

Features of nutrition for infants

If rotavirus disease appears in an infant, then it is important to provide all the necessary conditions for a comfortable stay during this period. The child should be given as much fluid as possible. If he is breastfed, he should be put to the breast more often. Breast milk contains an increased level of beneficial and nutritional components that help the baby overcome this infection. If the baby is bottle-fed, then he needs to drink the formula, preferably as often as possible. During this period, the baby needs to drink more fluids.

Features of baby nutrition:

1. During an exacerbation of the disease, you should not introduce additional complementary foods into the menu.
2. If the child is bottle-fed, then he needs to be temporarily switched to dairy-free cereals and lactose-free formulas.
3. Parents should carefully consider their child’s menu; it should not include prohibited foods that can greatly harm the baby during this period.
4. When creating a menu, you should be based on the general rules of the diet, permitted and prohibited foods, as well as the child’s taste preferences.

Nutrition after rotavirus

In order to quickly and completely restore the digestive organs after an illness, it is recommended to follow proper nutrition for two weeks. After recovery, during this period you should refrain from consuming the following foods:

• various low-temperature drinks and foods, such as ice cream;
• dishes from legumes;
• Rye bread;
• beet;
• wheat porridge;
• whole milk.

How does rotavirus infection develop?

Rotavirus is an acute infectious disease affecting the intestinal tract and pharynx. The main pathogen, Rotavirus, is wheel-shaped

, three-layer shell and the smallest size. It is resistant to external influences, is not afraid of low temperatures, ultrasound, ethers, chlorine and other processing methods. The virus can be destroyed by prolonged exposure to boiling water, alkali and acidic conditions.

It is transmitted as follows:

• contact through household objects, a handshake, etc.;
• alimentary way - through food, water;
• by airborne droplets: sneezing, coughing.

If you do not contact the clinic in a timely manner, the body will become completely dehydrated, and this can be fatal!

Symptoms of rotavirus

Symptoms of the disease differ slightly in children and adults. For example, in childhood, rotavirus initially manifests itself in the form of respiratory pathologies, and in adulthood such signs are noted much later. Main symptoms:

• poor appetite, sometimes complete refusal to eat;
• weakening of the body, fatigue, dizziness;
• increased body temperature;
• pain in the abdominal area;
• change in the color of stool (very yellow);
• constant vomiting and diarrhea (up to 20 times a day);

• foamy stool structure and sour odor;
• the sclera of the eyes become red;
• dry mouth;
• reduction in urination;
• signs of respiratory pathologies.

Rotavirus infection is highly contagious, so even after recovery for 2 weeks, a person should not contact people, as there is a risk of infection.