Is gastrointestinal flu really flu?

We’re used to hearing it called gastrointestinal flu, but it doesn’t really have anything to do with flu viruses.

The classic flu that attacks the respiratory tract and the so-called intestinal flu are two completely different diseases.

The gastrointestinal viral forms are in fact due to 4 different types of viruses (rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus and astrovirus), but not to influenza viruses. They are therefore defined, more correctly, viral gastroenteritis.

Two very different infections

Let’s try to draw a synthetic profile of these two diseases.

Here are the causes of gastroenteritis

The main and most feared responsible for intestinal flu are rotaviruses, classified into subtypes A, B and C.

In our latitudes, the peak of infections is recorded in winter. It preferentially affects infants and children under 5 years of age in which alongside the classic symptoms listed above may appear, although rarely, those typical of respiratory infections (cough and cold).

The symptoms last from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the virus that caused them.

In adults, evolution is usually benign, with spontaneous resolution within a few hours or at most days. Infants, children and the elderly are more prone to complications, sometimes serious, of dehydration.

Norwalk viruses or noroviruses are responsible for 40-50% of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks. Unlike rotaviruses, infections can occur throughout the year and tend to affect teens and young adults rather than children.

The symptoms are similar to those of rotaviruses, although they usually resolve more quickly.

Adenovirus influences mainly affect children, usually younger than two years of age. And they last a long time, 5-12 days on average, up to more than 2 weeks.

It should also not be forgotten that only about 70% of infectious gastroenteritis is of viral origin, while the remaining 30% have bacterial origins.

Can there be complications?

In Western countries, viral gastroenteritis is not a very serious disease, but it can give serious complications in very young children, elderly people and immunocompromised people, due to dehydration.

Dry mucous membranes, dry mouth, thirst, reduced urine or dark urine, lethargy, irritability, crying without tears, increased heart rate and cold extremities: these are the symptoms of dehydration.

Whenever dehydration is suspected or if it is a child with severe diarrhea, it is necessary to consult the pediatrician immediately and administer abundant liquids and mineral salts to counteract dehydration.

Even adults, if they can not keep fluid in the stomach, vomiting lasts more than two days or have a high fever, should consult a doctor.

Treatment

There is no effective drug therapy for viral gastroenteritis. To help the body fight the infection, certain measures must be taken. Here they are:

• eliminate foods and drinks rich in simple sugars, such as sweets or fruit juices, which can aggravate diarrhea due to their osmotic effect
• Probiotic lactic acid bacteria are effective both in the prevention of intestinal infections and as a therapeutic measure
• Take plenty of fluids and electrolytes to promptly replenish lost ones.

Prevention

Contagion can also occur through the consumption of contaminated food and water. Therefore, to limit the risks of infection:

• Always wash raw foods thoroughly before eating them and do not eat foods prepared by a person who has experienced symptoms before they have disappeared for at least 2-3 days
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly, and check that children do the same, with warm water and soap rubbing for at least 20 seconds. If there is no soap and water at hand, use specific wipes or sanitizing products
• Do not share glasses, plates or cutlery
• do not share towels
• If possible, try not to get too close to those infected with the virus
• Use Varechina-based detergents to clean and disinfect household surfaces, without forgetting door handles, remote controls, etc.
• Beware of dirty linen. Noroviruses can go from an infected towel to a clean one by simple contact: separate clean linen well from unwashed laundry.