How to treat rotavirus during lactation in mother. Intestinal infections and breastfeeding. Mom's serious condition: inpatient treatment

So how to behave correctly during infectious diseases, and does illness always mean giving up breastfeeding?

You need to know this

All diseases during breastfeeding are perceived by a woman as very serious and are an indication to refuse breastfeeding. Breastfeeding consultants say there are few situations in which it is actually necessary to stop breastfeeding. In other situations, feeding can and should be continued, while at the same time treating the mother. Temporary weaning is less commonly practiced; during this period, the mother needs to pump according to the rules.

There are situations when specialists conducting treatment simply do not have sufficient knowledge in the field of breastfeeding; it is precisely this fact that is associated with the doctor’s advice on stopping feeding. Thus, doctors simply abdicate responsibility. Those doctors who support breastfeeding will always look for all possible solutions to the problem, and will prescribe medications that can be used during breastfeeding. Fortunately, modern pharmacy has a number of drugs that can be interchangeable. Thanks to this, it is possible to select drugs that will be effective in treatment and will be compatible with breastfeeding.

Even those warning labels in the annotation for the drug about the prohibition of breastfeeding while taking the medication do not say anything. The fact is that manufacturers are not at all obliged to conduct research on combining the drug with breastfeeding. In most cases, breastfeeding is completely compatible with taking medications, as confirmed by many years of research conducted by doctors and lactation consultants.

In addition, there are studies that were conducted by WHO. Thanks to these studies, independent recommendations can be made regarding the compatibility of breastfeeding and taking medications. Studies have shown that in fact, there are very few medications that are incompatible with breastfeeding.

Which diseases are dangerous and which are not?

If we are talking about infectious diseases, then most mothers believe that the baby will definitely become infected, so it is necessary to postpone feeding or stop it altogether. Some mothers take some measures to prevent infection in the form of wearing protective bandages and boiling expressed milk, and then only give it to the baby. All these manipulations are unnecessary, there is no benefit from them, only harm.

Of course, wearing a mask reduces the concentration of viruses when sneezing, but transmission of the pathogen itself begins long before the first symptoms of the disease appear. Each disease has its own hidden, incubation period, when there are no symptoms of the disease. It turns out that by the time the mother finds out that she is sick, the baby will already have received most of the pathogens.

If a nursing mother has ARVI

If the nursing mother has a cold, then by the time the first symptoms appear the baby already receives specific antibodies to the causative agent of the infection. Antibodies pass through mother's milk already in the first minutes of illness, when the mother does not even suspect that she is sick, these antibodies protect the baby from the disease. With milk, fragments of a virus or microbe enter the baby’s body, which are safe for the child, which allows the baby’s immune system to actively develop its own defense. In addition, breast milk contains all the protective factors that protect the intestinal mucosa.

It turns out that if the mother has the first symptoms of the disease - a runny nose, sore throat, fever, and the baby has not yet gotten sick, then this indicates active immunity to the disease. If you stop feeding, the child automatically loses active protection and the most ideal “cure” for the disease.

Breast-feeding no need to stop either for sick or healthy babies, it is human milk that will replace most medications, is the main nutrition at the time of illness, and supports the intestinal microflora. Even if mother and baby are sick at the same time, then through breast milk the baby receives adequate doses of medications that are necessary for additional support.

A common mistake moms make is boiling milk before giving milk to a baby. Such actions are not justified and are even harmful for the baby. Boiling, of course, will destroy the pathogen, but it will also destroy almost all the beneficial factors contained in the milk - vitamins, microelements, because of this the nutritional value of the milk is sharply impaired.

How to treat a cold?

Treatment directly depends on the causative agent of the disease - viruses or microbes. Elevated body temperature must be brought down only if it is poorly tolerated and if it rises higher than 38.5º. In other cases, it is not advisable to lower the temperature, since an increase in body temperature is a protective reaction of the body, and a universal remedy in the fight against viruses.

In order to bring down the temperature, take any antipyretic once, but it is best to use paracetamol or ibuprofen - these drugs can be used several times. Aspirin can be used once, and then only if nothing else is found in your home medicine cabinet.

As for symptomatic therapy, drugs for coughs, runny noses, sore throats - these drugs are used almost without limitation. You can also use methods of traditional medicine and homeopathy, but only under the supervision of a doctor who supports breastfeeding. Interferon-based drugs - influferon, genferon, kipferon - are allowed to be taken independently. As for other drugs, it is best to consult with a leading specialist.

For bacterial infections, such as tonsillitis, otitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, antibiotics are selected that are compatible with breastfeeding, and the shortest possible course is selected. In addition, during the period of illness, mommy must strictly observe all hygiene measures and wear a mask.

Intestinal infections

Intestinal infections are a broad group of diseases, the clinical picture of which is characterized not only by intestinal manifestations - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, but also by manifestations of intoxication - increased body temperature. In some cases, intestinal infections can penetrate the blood, and therefore there is a theoretical possibility of infection of the child, so the pathogen can get from the blood into the milk. It turns out that it is impossible to say unequivocally whether you need to stop breastfeeding or not. It all depends on the diagnosis given to the mother, how the disease progresses, how the nursing mother tolerates it, and how severe the intoxication is.

If there is any intestinal infection, the mother must carefully observe basic hygiene measures, thoroughly wash her hands after each visit to the toilet; almost all intestinal infections are transmitted through the fecal-oral route, with dirty hands.

So, for example, if a mother has hepatitis A, breastfeeding is not prohibited, but the baby must be given a special drug that protects the baby from infection - standard immunoglobulin, against hepatitis. If a mother has hepatitis B, breastfeeding has no restrictions. Immediately after birth, the baby must be administered hyperimmune immunoglobulin to hepatitis B, after which he is vaccinated against hepatitis B, according to the scheme, with revaccination courses. Even with hepatitis C, there is no need to stop breastfeeding, hepatitis C is transmitted through blood, and in order to prevent infection it is necessary to observe personal hygiene and protection measures - when feeding, use silicone nipple covers that are placed on the nipple.

For particularly dangerous intestinal infections - typhus, dysentery, salmonellosis and chronic hepatitis - temporary weaning is recommended; during the weaning period, expressed milk must be sterilized. For acute intestinal infections - rotavirus, enterovirus, including poisoning, etc. – if the mother’s condition is satisfactory, feeding can be continued.

In case of temporary cessation of breastfeeding

Often, as soon as mothers find out that they are about to temporarily stop breastfeeding, they try to switch the baby to formula, or stop breastfeeding altogether. If the temporary weaning is known in advance, then it is best to create a “bank” of reserve milk, and for the period until breastfeeding is not possible, feed the baby with expressed, reserve milk. In any case, this is better than feeding the baby formula.

If this is not possible, then the mother needs to maintain lactation until breastfeeding can be restored. When a mother cannot breastfeed, the baby must be fed from a cup, a syringe without a needle, or from a special spoon, but not from a bottle. After the mother is able to breastfeed the baby, lactation returns to normal and feeding continues at a normal rhythm.

During illness, it is best for the mother not to participate in caring for the child, or to reduce communication to a minimum; the baby may be offended that the mother is next to the baby, but does not give the baby the breast. During the period of weaning the baby from the breast, it is necessary to express milk every 3 - 4 hours a day, and about 2 - 3 times during the night. It is worth remembering that hormones that stimulate lactation are best released at night. As soon as the baby returns to breastfeeding, lactation is restored to its previous volumes in 3 to 5 days.

If a chronic disease worsens

If a nursing woman has worsened chronic diseases, then there is also no need to stop breastfeeding. In most cases, breastfeeding women are faced with the need to treat a chronic disease during pregnancy; ideally, treatment should take place before pregnancy occurs - the planning period. It is during this period that the leading doctor must develop treatment tactics in case of relapse of the disease during breastfeeding.

Most chronic diseases do not require weaning of the baby, the only exception may be chronic diseases that can threaten the life of the mother. But even such cases require only temporary weaning.

Sometimes, treatment during pregnancy can be postponed until the baby is born, and then treatment is resumed. In this case, the mother should immediately discuss the issue with the doctor about the possibility of breastfeeding the baby during treatment.

It is necessary to immediately indicate to doctors your intentions to breastfeed for a long time before self-weaning; based on this, the chosen treatment method should be as gentle as possible. If you expect long-term treatment, you can use homeopathy, physiotherapy, etc. In addition, competent use of complex homeopathic remedies can significantly and significantly reduce and alleviate the course of attacks in chronic diseases.

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Rotavirus is also commonly called intestinal flu. The initial stage of the disease is very similar to the common cold. In this case, symptoms of impaired functioning of the intestinal tract are observed. Children are most susceptible to developing pathology. However, rotavirus is often diagnosed in a nursing mother or pregnant woman. This is due to the fact that during such periods a woman has a weakened immune system. If illness occurs while breastfeeding, you must carefully follow the doctor's recommendations. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable and can be extremely dangerous.

In this article you will learn:

Factors provoking rotavirus in mothers during breastfeeding

To successfully treat rotavirus, the root cause of the disorder must first be established. The formation of the disease occurs after the pathogen enters the body. The microorganism is resistant to the influence of the external environment. The only thing bacteria are afraid of is direct sunlight and disinfection.

Rotavirus is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. The main root causes of the disease are described in the table.

The greatest accumulation of rotavirus is observed in public places. Mothers during breastfeeding have a weakened immune system and can easily catch the disease in areas where there are large crowds of people.

The outbreak of the epidemic occurs in the summer-autumn period. However, a nursing mother has a high risk of infection, regardless of the time of year, so preventive measures must be carefully followed.

Associated symptoms

The initial stage of rotavirus is asymptomatic. For the first day, a nursing mother may not even be aware of the presence of the disease. Primary signs usually begin to form within 12-18 hours. The incubation period lasts 2-6 days.

With this disease, vomiting and nausea are always observed.

The general condition of the nursing mother deteriorates significantly. Vomiting and nausea appear. Severe pain occurs in the abdominal cavity. A clear sign of rotavirus is watery fecal matter that is yellow-green in color.

After a few days of the disease, the feces become grayer. Additional foreign matter may be present. Rotavirus with hepatitis B is acute. The condition of the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract is disrupted. Nutrients are not fully absorbed.

Osmotic pressure increases in the intestinal tract of a nursing mother. It is for this reason that the stool becomes thinner than usual. With rotavirus, a woman also complains of a severe headache. The temperature rises sharply to 38-39 degrees. Appetite is greatly reduced, which is unacceptable during breastfeeding. A nursing mother faces a loss of strength. For a weakened immune system, this becomes a real blow.

Rotavirus provokes attacks of aggression, apathy and irritability. Possible depression.

The woman also notes discomfort when swallowing. The urge to defecate occurs up to 10 times a day. When infected, the baby experiences the following symptoms:

• diarrhea;
• frequent vomiting;

If a child becomes infected, he may develop diarrhea

• chills;
• refusal to feed;
• tearfulness and anxiety;
• darkening of urine;
• runny nose.

When infected from the mother, the baby sleeps poorly and cries constantly.

Possible risks for babies

• dehydration of the body;
• acetonemic syndrome;
• seizures;
• disorders in the functioning of the nervous system.

The child will be sleepy and lethargic all the time

A rotavirus intestinal infection acquired by a child while breastfeeding can cause dehydration. The condition is a consequence of the loss of large amounts of fluid due to frequent vomiting and diarrhea. If left untreated, this can lead to death in the baby.

Acetonemic syndrome is a metabolic disorder resulting from dehydration of the body. Acetone and acetoacetic acid accumulate in the bloodstream. In this case, the baby’s gag reflex intensifies. Pathological drowsiness and lethargy appear. There is an unpleasant odor from the oral cavity.

Convulsions in a child are a consequence of a strong increase in body temperature. The condition requires urgent medical attention. It is also possible to disrupt the functioning of the nervous system, which provokes the appearance of fainting and dizziness.

Treatment methods

First of all, treatment for rotavirus during hepatitis B involves taking medications to enhance the body's protective functions. Syrups and tablets containing paracetamol may also be recommended. This will help eliminate inflammation and normalize body temperature. It is important to prevent dehydration. To do this, drink enough liquid.

In this case, it is useful for nursing mothers to eat fermented milk products

A nursing mother must adhere to a strict diet. It is allowed to consume porridge cooked in water, strong tea, fermented milk products and pre-dried white bread. Milk is strictly prohibited. Also excluded:

• legumes;
• cabbage;
• greenery;
• cucumbers;
• fresh bread;
• berries.

Self-medication of rotavirus while breastfeeding is strictly prohibited. Treatment can only be selected by a doctor. The mother does not need to stop breastfeeding. The only thing that is required is to follow the doctor’s recommendations.

To eliminate diarrhea, you can use enterosorbents. The drug will help remove all toxic substances from the body. The drug is absolutely safe for both mother and child.

If you want to know how to protect yourself from rotavirus, then watch this video:

Preventive measures for mother and child

Preventative measures are an effective way to avoid rotavirus infection. Doctors recommend that breastfeeding women:

Breast milk is rightfully considered the standard food for children in the first year of life, therefore, if a nursing mother gets sick, the question certainly arises whether it is possible to breastfeed with rotavirus. After all, every new mother strives to provide her baby with healthy and high-quality breast milk, and not to infect the child with her own disease. It is not difficult to become infected with rotavirus; it often does not depend on a person’s lifestyle and living conditions. Not all diseases can negatively affect the quality of milk, but when it comes to rotavirus infection, this situation is worth understanding in more detail.

What is rotavirus

Rotavirus is a specific virus belonging to the reovirus family, the causative agent of rotavirus infection. The harmful organism got its name because of its shape: rotavirus resembles a wheel with spikes, and in Latin “wheel” is “rota”. Visible only under a microscope.

This infectious disease is the most common cause of diarrhea in children. Popularly, this infection is often called intestinal flu, although it has nothing to do with influenza strains. This is due to the fact that the manifestations of the disease are similar to an intestinal disorder, and epidemics of rotavirus infection coincide with outbreaks of influenza. This acute intestinal disease is dangerous because the infectious agents are extremely resistant to low temperatures, as well as to various types of antiseptics and disinfectants.

The action of rotovirus is aimed at the intestinal mucosa. Providing its harmful effect, it leads to a number of intestinal disorders.

Symptoms of the disease in adults and children

The disease manifests itself differently in adults and children. This is explained by the fact that the stomach of an adult contains more hydrochloric acid secreted by parietal cells, which has a detrimental effect on the pathogen. When the virus enters the stomach through the mouth, a significant portion dies.

The second level of protection in the body in an adult is the presence of immunoglobulins that arose earlier in response to the disease. But if, nevertheless, the disease strikes a person, then its symptoms will be as follows:

• General weakness and lethargy.
• Liquid, pasty or watery stools.
• Unpleasant sensations in the throat and pain when swallowing.
• The maximum number of stools per day is 3.

It follows from this that if such symptoms are not expressed in a nursing mother, she may not notice that she is sick. Moreover, the manifestations of the disease will go away on their own within three days. But this does not mean that the woman has recovered; she is still a carrier of the virus and can infect her child through breast milk.

For a child, things are different. Since the protective mechanism against this infection has not yet been formed, and hydrochloric acid is not enough to neutralize the bacillus, it is easier for the baby to become infected and get sick. After three days of the incubation period in childhood, the disease will manifest itself with the following symptoms:

• Frequent vomiting.
• Frequent loose stools.
• Fever.
• Clay stool.
• Heat.
• Lack of appetite, refusal to eat.
• Frequent whims and crying, complaints of the child.
• Darkening of urine.
• Nasal congestion.

The virus also has a pathological effect on the mucous epithelium of the pharynx, so the baby may also have a sore throat. This is also one of the factors why a child may refuse treats.

Methods of infection

It is quite easy to catch rotavirus. Most often it is transmitted through dirty hands. A pathogenic microorganism enters the environment with the feces of an infected person, and then, if the rules of personal hygiene are violated, a healthy person becomes infected. Moreover, it is enough just to rub your eye or run a dirty hand over your face.

Main infection options:

• Through household items of a sick person (towels, dishes).
• Swimming in public bodies of water (with swallowing water).
• Eating unwashed fruits and vegetables.
• Drinking unboiled water and raw milk.
• Contact with skin of an infected person.

It is easy for a nursing mother to become infected, because immunity after childbirth and during lactation is significantly reduced. Therefore, when breastfeeding, you should especially carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene and wash your hands again.

Diagnostic methods

To make an accurate diagnosis, you must seek medical help. A competent gastroenterologist will make a diagnosis based on the following examinations:

• Conversation with the patient, collection of anamnesis.
• Stool analysis.
• Blood analysis.

In addition to the main fact (the presence of the virus in the patient’s stool), the disease is indicated by changes in the blood test: an increase in the level of leukocytes and ESR.

According to such examinations, the doctor will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Rotavirus in nursing

The main question of interest to mothers with the infection is whether the virus can be transmitted through breast milk to their child, and how do rotavirus and hepatitis B interact in general? Is it also worth stopping lactation during treatment? At the moment, official medicine gives a clear answer - it’s possible. If it so happens that mommy has become infected with this disease, this does not mean that breastfeeding is now contraindicated.

If the baby is accustomed to his mother’s breast from birth, then it is not advisable to wean him during treatment. There are a number of reasons for this:

1. Breast milk contains antibodies against this disease, which help the immune system actively fight.
2. Breast milk is a storehouse of nutrients for a baby, so the benefits far outweigh the risk of possible infection.
3. Milk protects the baby’s body from other diseases.
4. After a pause in breastfeeding, it is not always easy to restore lactation again.

If basic safety rules are followed, the mother does not transmit rotavirus to her newborn. But to do this, you should exclude direct contact between the sick mother and the healthy child (that is, do not kiss the nose, do not give the baby your spoon, etc.), wear a medical mask.

Principles of treatment

Unfortunately, there is no drug that specifically destroys rotavirus. Therefore, it is proposed to treat intestinal disorder comprehensively, eliminating all its symptoms. The medicinal effect of drugs should be aimed at eliminating:

• Diarrhea.
• Dehydration.
• Vomiting.
• Imbalance of vitamins, salts and minerals.
• Elevated temperature.

Enterosorbents are often prescribed: Sorbex, Enterosgel, activated carbon.

All these drugs are well compatible with lactation, therefore they are safe for mother and baby.

Domperidone and Metoclopromide are used to eliminate the urge to vomit.

If the disease is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, then children's syrups of Ibuprofen and Paracetamol will help.

Conclusion

Rotavirus infection is a dangerous disease that leads to the development of many problems with the gastrointestinal tract and various complications. Therefore, if you suspect the first symptoms of a viral infection, you should definitely consult a doctor. If the disease catches you during lactation, do not despair! After all, with the right approach, the mother’s infection will not affect the baby in any way.

Take care of your health!

Intestinal infections are one of the most common ailments throughout the world. They are often diagnosed in both children and adults. Sometimes it is enough to take simple measures and get rid of the disease, but in some cases emergency medical care is required.

How should you treat an intestinal infection at home?

Absolutely all children with this diagnosis are subject to urgent hospitalization, as there is a high risk of rapid development of dehydration.

Adults are hospitalized only in cases of moderate and severe forms of the disease, as well as in cases where the person is contagious and cannot be isolated (living in an orphanage, in a dormitory, etc.).

If an intestinal infection is accompanied by fever, bed rest is indicated; for diarrhea, half-bed rest is indicated.

The patient is shown table No. 4 according to Pevzner. In the acute period, you can eat: mucous first courses, weak meat broths, fish and meat (mashed, boiled, low-fat), steamed omelet, porridge, crackers, biscuits, baked apples without peel. Milk, spices, seasonings, canned food, smoked meats, green onions, garlic, radishes, and alcohol are excluded from the diet. They are transferred to the general table gradually over 3-4 weeks. Refractory fats and milk are poorly digested for another 3 months.

How can you treat an intestinal infection: rehydration therapy

This option involves replenishing fluid loss and detoxifying the body.

It is carried out in 2 stages:

• the first is the elimination of symptoms of dehydration;
• the second is to replenish ongoing losses.

The liquid is drunk in the absence of vomiting and the urge to drink it, otherwise parenteral administration is prescribed. At home, the required volume of rehydration fluid is calculated as follows: adults 30 ml/kg body weight per day, children 30-50 ml/kg. They drink little by little, but often, literally every 15 minutes, a few sips.

You can use a solution of Regidron, Enterodez or Citroglucosolan. Droppers are placed only in the hospital, while monitoring water-salt metabolism.

How to properly treat an intestinal infection?

1. Anti-diarrhea drugs: enterosorbents (white coal, Filtrum, Laktofiltrum, Enterosgel, Polyphepam), Smecta, Baktisubtil, Hilak-forte;
2. Probiotics (Acipol, Atsilak, Linex, Bion3, Bifidumbacterin forte, Bifistim, Bifiform);
3. Special antiseptics (Enterol, Intestopan, Intetrix, Enterofuril, Entero-sediv);
4. Enzymes – Creon, Ermital, Pacreatin, Mezim, Micrasim;
5. Antibacterial drugs from fluoroquinols are prescribed only by a doctor.

Rehydration therapy should begin at the first signs of illness. The same applies to enterosorbents. For a viral infection, antiseptics and antibiotics will not help, but they will prevent a secondary bacterial infection. On the third day from the start of antibiotic therapy, they begin taking probiotics to restore normal microflora.

How to treat rotavirus and mild intestinal infection?

Rotaviruses are a group of viral infections that cause intestinal flu. Most often these affect children. The disease is contagious and is transmitted through contaminated foods, personal contact, and coughing/sneezing.

Intestinal syndrome

The first signs of infection appear after five days. The acute period lasts 3-7 days, and the recovery period – 4-5.

Rotavirus

It manifests itself abruptly: a sharp rise in temperature, repeated vomiting, cramping abdominal pain and rumbling, diarrhea. On the first day, the stool is liquid and yellow in color, then it becomes gray-yellow and clay-like. A runny nose, cough, sore throat and sore throat may appear. In adults, the symptoms are more similar to a banal digestive disorder.

How to treat rotavirus infection?

There is no specific therapy. Medical measures are aimed at relieving symptoms. If there is no appetite, you should not force the patient to eat; it is better to offer light chicken broth or homemade berry jelly. Eat and drink only in small portions, otherwise an attack of vomiting may occur. It is forbidden to consume dairy products, as they promote the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.

Rehydration therapy is the main method of preventing dehydration. It is recommended to drink water or saline solutions (eg table salt solution). Drink 50 ml of liquid every 30 minutes. Acute intestinal damage requires intravenous administration of fluids, but this is carried out only in a hospital for severe cases of the disease. Sorbents (eg activated carbon, Smecta, Enterosgel) will help remove toxins from the body.

Antidiarrheal drugs (Enterol, Enterofuril) are also prescribed. Digestive disorders can be corrected with the help of enzyme agents (Pancreatin, Mezim).

Temperatures below 38°C are reduced only if they are poorly tolerated. Children are given candles (pr. Tsefekon) or given syrups (Nurofen, Panadol). You can also use stripping and drying.

When appetite returns, agents are prescribed to restore the microflora - Bifiform, Linex, Acipol, Bactisubtil.

How and how to treat intestinal infection in pregnant women?

It is imperative to treat the disease to avoid the development of complications. In mild cases, toxins are removed from the body using absorbents - activated carbon, Polysorb, Enterosgel, Smecta.

Saline solutions will help replenish fluid volume and avoid dehydration. You can’t go hungry, so after you stop vomiting, you need to drink a cup of tea, eat low-fat broth with crackers, or mucous decoction and liquid porridge.

Treatment of pregnant women in a hospital setting is carried out only in severe cases, when vomiting and diarrhea do not stop, and the temperature rises. The hospital puts in IVs to remove toxins. Therapy often involves the use of antibiotics. Most often these are amoxicillin, cefatoxime and penicillins.

To compensate for the loss of vitamins and microelements, appropriate medications are prescribed. Antiseptics such as Baktisubtil can be used. To normalize the microflora, Bifiform, Linex, and enzymes are prescribed.

Rotavirus is an infectious disease that affects the natural intestinal microflora. Breast milk and colostrum after birth are a source of nutrition for young children in the first year of life. Intestinal flu, in which pathogenic bacteria spread, negatively affects the baby’s gastric tract.

Features of the disease

Rotavirus infection is a pathology characterized by the ingress of pathogenic bacteria, microbes, and viruses. Harmful microorganisms negatively affect the intestinal mucosa. Stomach flu (rotavirus, rotavirosis, gastroenteritis) is contagious. Carrying out simple disinfection procedures does not help destroy viruses. The period of exacerbation of rotavirus infection is the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Causes of the disease

Intestinal flu is easily transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person. The following reasons influence the appearance of rotavirus symptoms:

• lack of hygiene procedures;
• contact with contaminated surfaces in public places;
• eating dirty vegetables and fruits;
• drinking unboiled cow's milk, raw water;
• sharing common household items, dishes, towels with an infected person;
• ingress of water from reservoirs.

Dirty hands are the main way pathogenic bacteria enter the body when the palm comes into contact with the eyes, mouth, and facial skin. Intestinal flu can be transmitted by airborne droplets in crowded places.

Contact with a sick person through utensils and clothing (fecal-oral transmission of the virus) guarantees the occurrence of rotavirus. Physical touch is the main way of infection between a nursing mother and her infant.

Symptoms

The incubation period of the disease is a week. The signs of rotavirus infection in a nursing mother differ from the symptoms of intestinal flu in a child. In an adult whose digestive system has formed, the stomach contains enough hydrochloric acid to reduce the content of pathogenic viruses and bacteria. When previously infected with rotavirus, middle-aged people produce immunoglobulin, which prevents the penetration of harmful microorganisms.

The main symptoms that a mother has are:

• weakness;
• liquid, watery stool several times a day;
• pain, soreness during swallowing.

The absence of pronounced symptomatic signs in an adult leads to untimely diagnosis of the disease. Manifestations of rotavirus disappear after 3 days without special treatment, but a person is a carrier of intestinal flu.

The main symptoms of infectious pathology in a child on breastfeeding include:

• regular vomiting;
• frequent discharge of liquid feces with a clayey consistency of gray-yellow color;
• abdominal cramps, increased gas formation;
• discharge of dark urine;
• feverish condition;
• runny nose;
• sore throat, cough;
• hyperthermia;
• decreased food cravings;
• crying, increased excitability, nervousness.

Signs of intoxication and damage to the intestinal tract appear within 1-2 days after a pathogenic infection enters the body. The acute period of rotavirus in a child is observed for 3-5 days. Treatment time until complete recovery is 6-7 days.

Diagnostics

If during an exacerbation of an intestinal infection during breastfeeding characteristic signs of the disease are observed, it is necessary to donate blood and stool for laboratory testing. A high level of leukocytes and accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation are evidence of intoxication of the body. Stool sampling is carried out to establish a polymerase chain reaction for RNA-containing viruses. A mandatory stage of diagnosis is examination of the patient. Damage to the nasopharyngeal mucosa, congestion, cough are signs of rotavirus.

Intestinal infection with hepatitis B

Both the child and the mother can become infected with rotavirus first. Often, pathogenic viruses enter from an adult with whom the baby has close contact throughout the day. The possibility of resumption of hepatitis with rotavirus depends on the source of infection.

Mother

A woman breastfeeding her baby is advised to continue the lactation period. The mother should avoid tactile contact with the newborn, not touch things belonging to the baby, and wear a protective mask to prevent the transmission of rotavirus by airborne droplets. You can breastfeed if rotavirus is detected, since milk is not a source of infection for the child. Refusal of natural feeding is possible if the mother takes antibiotics in an acute form of the disease. To ensure proper breastfeeding during pregnancy, it is recommended to study medical articles.

Child

The main reasons for the absence of contraindications to breastfeeding when the mother has rotavirus are:

• the content of antibodies in breast milk that restore the baby’s immune system;
• supply of useful vitamins that prevent the occurrence of concomitant diseases;
• lactation crisis.

Mother's milk contains microelements that help restore the baby's body during the transition of infection and intoxication, such as after carbon monoxide poisoning. The fluid that is released from the breast prevents dehydration due to frequent vomiting and feces.

Refusal to breastfeed can lead to an abrupt end to the mother's lactation, which will negatively affect the child's physical and mental health.

Treatment options

When breastfeeding, mothers need to be careful about the prescribed therapy. Rotavirus is effectively treated with complex procedures aimed at eliminating diarrhea, vomiting, signs of intoxication and dehydration, lowering body temperature, and restoring intestinal microflora. The treatment methods are determined by the doctor. Features of treatment for a mother who is breastfeeding her baby include the use of medications, the organization of a healthy diet, and adherence to personal hygiene rules.

Medications

The main drugs prescribed for the treatment of rotavirus are:

• enterosorbents;
• electrolytes;
• antiemetics;
• antipyretic medications.

Medications are non-toxic and therefore safe for a mother during lactation and a small child. Enterosorbents Sorbex, Enterosgel, Smecta remove toxins and pathogenic bacteria from the body. Electrolyte medications are used to restore the acid-base balance, which is disturbed due to the leaching of beneficial microorganisms during the release of loose stool due to rotavirus. To maintain the level of water and salt in the body, the baby is prescribed intravenous injections of plasma-substituting solutions. Prokinetic agents Domperidone and Metoclopramide stop frequent vomiting.

Lifestyle

If you have rotavirus, you must isolate yourself from others and avoid going to a crowded place. Maintaining bed rest and following a healthy diet helps the body recover quickly. Rotavirus is not a reason to stop breastfeeding.

During treatment for rotavirus, a nursing mother should follow the following diet:

• consumption of cereals, soups, boiled meat and fish;
• refusal of legumes, peas, berries, laxative fruits, fatty, spicy, salty foods;
• compliance with the drinking regime.

If a child gets intestinal flu, he should be given more liquid in the form of water and unsweetened compotes. When introducing complementary foods during rotavirus disease, it is recommended to give preference to natural fruit and vegetable purees from apples and carrots.

Prevention measures

The rotavirus epidemic, observed from January to April, is observed in many regions of Russia: Sverdlovsk region, Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod region, Vladimir region, Kemerovo region, Saratov region, Sakhalin region, Stavropol region, Chelyabinsk region, autonomous regions, Moscow region, Irkutsk region , Krasnoyarsk Territory, Krasnodar Territory, Kirov Region, Bryansk, Kaliningrad Region, Komi Republic, Volgograd Region, Republic of Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Ivanovo, Tula, Kaluga Regions.

To avoid infection, healthy people must follow preventive measures:

• do not visit public places during the spread of rotavirus in the territorial district;
• wash your hands regularly;
• thermally treat products;
• use boiled water;
• carry out wet cleaning, ventilate the room.

A child most often becomes infected with rotavirus from a sick mother through the fecal-oral route. It is recommended to regularly wash bath accessories and bed linen, treat dishes from which the baby eats with boiling water, and wash your hands before each breastfeeding. Stomach diseases if preventive measures are not followed are dangerous for the baby with serious consequences.

The information on our website is provided by qualified doctors and is for informational purposes only. Don't self-medicate! Be sure to consult a specialist!

Gastroenterologist, professor, doctor of medical sciences. Prescribes diagnostics and carries out treatment. Expert of the group for the study of inflammatory diseases. Author of more than 300 scientific papers.