It is a colloquial term for viral infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Influenza viruses that cause most stomach (intestinal) are rotaviruses.

Epidemiology

Increased number of these cases are recorded each year in autumn and winter ie from November to April. Cases of these are most often epidemic. This is a very common disease found in the family, organized groups (colonies, trips), or in hospital wards. Most frequently and most seriously ill Children are from 3 months to 3 years.

How is it Spread

It is very easy to get contracted by the virus, the infection can be caused by just a few of its particles. The most important way of spreading is feralno-oral route for eg by dirty hands. Viruses can also spread through droplets released by sick people and infects both before and after the onset of symptoms.

Mechanism

The disease is caused most often by Rotavirus but sometimes it may also be caused by adenoviruses. The incubation period of such viral infections of the gastrointestinal tract is maximum of 2 days. Viruses multiply in the digestive tract, damaging the mucous membrane and leading to symptoms of disease.

Symptoms

• Profuse, watery diarrhea lasting several days
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pains
• General feeling of weakness

Intestinal flu or 24 hour flu can be very dangerous in children and the elderly. Strong diarrhea can lead to life-threatening dehydration!

Treatment

Symptomatic (ie, we treat the consequences of illness):

• Replenishing fluids – Oral at home, intravenous in hospital is often given.
• Replacing electrolytes – Available in a pharmacy in the form of powders meant for reconstitution.
• Supplementing the bacterial flora (good bacteria) – yogurt, probiotics in capsule form.
• Antipyretics are given in case of fever.

If symptoms persist, one must consult a physician to rule out another possible cause of diarrhea (eg bacterial infection).

In addition, when you are at home and you have somebody suffering from 24 hour flu, you should be strictly observe rules of hygiene:

• Frequent hand washing by all household members.
• Use only disposable diapers for children.
• Water flushing the toilet with closed shells.
• Frequent cleaning of sanitary facilities.

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Symptoms and Course of the Disease

The disease is characterized by a rapid onset after infection, the incubation period is 1-3 days. The predominant symptoms are high fever, dry cough and muscle and headaches. Symptoms from the intestine does not occur (“stomach flu” is thus an incorrect term). Patients with uncomplicated flu usually recover after about a week. In the most severely ill can be a primary, that is. caused by the virus, pneumonia of the serious nature arise. Complications occur, and most common is an intercurrent bacterial pneumonia.

The new influenza A/H1N1 in 2009 have similar symptoms but in many cases a very mild, flu-like syndrome. A small number of people, however, had severe pneumonia, either triggered by the virus or virus in combination with bacteria. In a few cases have been amplified as the lungs of inflammatory fluid is sufficient to allow spontaneous respiration or ventilator does not function adequately. Treatment with oxygenation outside the body (ECMO) has then had to be resorted to.

The diagnosis of influenza is based partly on the epidemiology and symptom, and the isolation of viruses and / or detection of antibodies against this virus. Mortality from influenza infections can be high in certain patient groups. This particularly applies to older, often due to other, underlying diseases and intercurrent bacterial infections. In younger patients, mortality rates are very low and is concentrated among those who develop the severe form of primary pneumonia.

Diagnosis

Flu can be diagnosed by using a nasal wash or throat swab to obtain a sample of the flu virus from a patient and then cultivating it in the laboratory. Several other laboratory flu tests also exist. Yet most commonly doctors diagnose flu simply based on a patient’s symptoms and whether or not the surrounding community is currently undergoing a flu epidemic.

Prevention

Vaccination is an effective method of preventing flu in all age groups. Flu vaccines are prepared with inactivated type A and type B viruses. Thus a person who is vaccinated develops antibodies against the viruses without developing the acute form of the disease. Sometimes mild flu symptoms, such as muscle ache and fever, may appear after vaccination. A person’s immunity to flu falls rather rapidly a few months after vaccination or recovery from the disease. Vaccinations are therefore necessary each year, preferably in the fall.

Antiviral drugs are sometimes prescribed for use in addition to vaccination. These medications include amantadine and rimantadine, which defend against type A flu. The drug seltamivir is used to prevent types A and B. If taken within two days after the onset of flu, these three drugs (as well as a fourth antiviral medication, zanamivir) can shorten the duration of flu symptoms by a day.

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The flu and colds every year afflict a large proportion of the population. For some groups, such as the elderly and those with lower body resistance, influenza is a serious threat to life.

The flu and colds share many symptoms. The cold is generally milder, while flu is much more serious.

The cold begins with a feeling of fatigue, with sneezing, coughing and runny nose. There may be no fever or fever that may be low in case of flu. It may also be accompanied by muscle aches, sore throat, running eyes and headaches.

Unlike colds, flu starts suddenly and strikes hard. The patient feels weak, tired, has a fever, dry cough, sore eyes, severe headaches and pain in the neck with sore throat. Also the time needed to recover the patient is much higher than in the case of colds.

It is important to emphasize that the flu and colds are caused by viruses. There are more than 100 unusual viruses that can cause colds while for flu the number is much less.

For these reasons, there are vaccines for influenza but not for the common cold. As it is the viruses that cause these diseases, antibiotics are not effective against them.

What should I do to feel better? 

There is currently no explanatory treatment for colds or flu. Antibiotics have no effect against viruses. What we can do is a supportive therapy that aims to make you feel better by the body to cope with its own defense mechanisms to generate antibodies and get rid of the virus.

There are a few ways:

• If you have a fever you should stay home and relax
• If you smoke, stop smoking immediately. If not avoid passive smoke from people around you, because it worsens the symptoms
• Drink plenty of fluids such as water, fruit juices and light soups. The fluids help in the realization of phlegm and secretions. It is also valuable when there is fever, because in this case there are fluid losses with the risk of dehydration
• Avoid drinking alcohol
• If you have a sore throat, throat you can gargle with warm water containing salt, which can ease the pain. Also special sprays or tablets that dissolve in your mouth can help
• Use drops of normal serum on your nose to be liquidated secretions and to humidify the delicate skin of the nose

But beware, because in some cases it is best to call your doctor:

1. If you have a cold that lasts more than 10 days
2. If you have earache or running fluid from the ear
3. If you have severe pain on the face or forehead
4. If you have high fever (higher than 39 degrees Celsius)
5. Shortness of breath
6. In cases where there is hoarseness, a sore throat or cough that does not leave
7. If you have shortness of breath with wheezing

Need medicine for colds or the flu?

Some medications can alleviate symptoms. Before taking any medications you should consult your doctor and even more so in the case of children.

There are several drugs which are given without prescription. You should know what they contain.

Most drugs used contain substances of the following categories:

Analgesics: These are painkillers, some of which have antipyretic properties. Some of them are paracetamol, the naproxen, the ibuprofen, the ketoprofen, the mefenamic acid and aspirin. Aspirin is not recommended in children and adolescents.

Expectorant: These medicines help in the realization of phlegm and secretions of the respiratory system causing easy expulsion by coughing. Such medications are bromhexine and guaifenesin

Decongestants: These substances reduce the congestion that can exist in several passages, particularly those in the nose. Such medications are ephedrine, a phenylephrine, the phenylpropanolamine, and pseydoephedrine.

There are also some medications for which you need a prescription from the doctor.

It can be either pills or inhaled formulations. It should not be taken without medical supervision because in some patients such as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma can cause problems.

There are also some drugs with activity against viruses, which can be used to prevent and treat influenza. These drugs can present complications and therefore should be administered under supervision by your doctor.

These drugs are:

• Rimantadine (Flumadine ®)
• Amantadine (Symmetrel ®)
• Oseltamivir (Tamiflu ®)
• Zanamivir (Relenza ®)

What is prevention and who should do the vaccines?

The viruses that cause colds and flu are spread by contact with hands and droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing.

Washing hands with warm water and soap is as effective prevention also avoid touching your eyes or nose with your hands.

Certain groups should be vaccinated annually with influenza vaccine. These individuals are more vulnerable and more at risk than others to experience complications such as pneumonia.

Usually the best time for vaccination is October or November. Surely you should ask your doctor whether you should be vaccinated.

People who are allergic to eggs should not be vaccinated with the vaccine against influenza.