Compensate for fluid and electrolyte lossNote: 57% of children with acute gastroenteritis (gastrointestinal infection) with rotavirus under age 15 are hospitalized.
The general rules of hygiene must be consistently enforced
Actions taken by patients and contacts:
Instruction in correct disinfection measures
Segregation of infected persons in rooms with private WCs
Children < 6 years are not allowed to visit communal facilities (at the earliest again from the 3rd day after the symptoms have subsided).
Notice. Contagiousness persists up to 7-14 days after the end of symptomatology.
When fever occurs [usually: moderately elevated temperatures].
Bed rest and physical rest (even with only a slight fever).
Fever below 38.5 °C does not necessarily need to be treated! (Exceptions: Children prone to febrile convulsions; old, weakened people; patients with a weakened immune system).
In case of fever from 39 ° C calf compresses can help to reduce the temperature, which often leads to an improvement in the condition.
After the fever still a fever-free day of rest, if necessary longer (mainly bed rest and stay indoors).
Adherence to the following specific nutritional recommendations during illness:
Sufficient fluid intake! Since in the course of a febrile illness there is a strong loss of fluids, fluid intake should be according to the following rule of thumb: for each degree of body temperature above 37 °C, an additional 0.5-1 liters per °C. Teas are best suited.
In case of vomiting: as long as the vomiting continues, the consumption of any food should be avoided. However, the loss of fluids should be compensated absolutely. To do this, it is recommended to add liquids such as herbal teas (fennel, ginger, chamomile, peppermint and cumin tea) or water initially in small quantities, possibly by the spoonful. When vomiting has stopped, carbohydrate foods such as rusks, toast, and pretzel sticks are well tolerated at first. Meals should be small and eaten throughout the day. Stimulants should be avoided during vomiting and for a week afterwards.
For diarrhea: In the context of diarrhea, a “tea rusk diet” (duration: three days, longer if necessary; as long as no other diseases speak against it) has proven itself.
After the acute gastrointestinal disease, a light full diet is recommended. Within the framework of this diet, the following foods and preparation methods should be avoided, as experience has shown that they often cause discomfort:
Voluminous and fatty meals
Legumes and vegetables such as white cabbage, kale, peppers, sauerkraut, leeks, onions, savoy cabbage, mushrooms.
Raw stone and pome fruit
Fresh bread, wholemeal bread
Hard boiled eggs
Carbonated drinks
Fried, breaded, smoked, very spicy or very sweet foods.
Too cold or too hot food
Diet rich in:
Vitamins (vitamin C) – Due to the fever, there may be a deficiency of vitamin C. In addition, vitamin C is important for the immune system. Foods rich in vitamin C are vegetables such as spinach and fruits (oranges, strawberries, kiwis, currants), which are also well tolerated during an infection.
