- Main symptoms
- Risk factors for intestinal infection
- How to prevent
- What to eat for intestinal infection
- What not to eat
- How to avoid dehydration
- When to see a doctor
Intestinal infection usually arises after consuming contaminated food or water, and there may be fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and frequent diarrhea, and it is important to consult the doctor if the symptoms do not disappear in 2 days.
It is possible to prevent intestinal infection by improving hygiene habits, both personal and food, and it is recommended to wash your hands after using the bathroom and to take food well before handling it.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of intestinal infection can appear soon after consuming contaminated food or within 3 days and vary according to the type of microorganism, severity of the infection, age and general health status of the person, the main symptoms being:
- Abdominal cramps and pains; Diarrhea, which may have blood in the stool; Vomiting; Headache; Increased gas, Loss of appetite; Fever.
It is important to remember that the symptoms of intestinal infection are more serious and worrying in children and the elderly, as they have a weaker immune system, which can favor the faster proliferation of the microorganism and, thus, make the infection more serious, as well as increase weight loss and the risk of dehydration.
Risk factors for intestinal infection
People with weak immune systems, such as AIDS patients or those undergoing cancer treatment, children, pregnant women and the elderly are more likely to have intestinal infection because they have a weaker immune system.
In addition, people who have gastritis or heartburn or who use drugs to control stomach acidity, such as Omeprazole, are at increased risk of having intestinal infection, as stomach acidity is reduced, making it harder to fight viruses and bacteria.
How to prevent
To prevent intestinal infections, it is important to take care of personal hygiene and food, such as:
- Wash your hands well after using the bathroom or touching domestic animals; Wash your hands well before and after picking up any food; Avoid eating rare meat and eggs; Consume filtered or boiled water.
While symptoms of foodborne infection are present, it is important to avoid preparing food for other people, to prevent them from becoming ill as well. In addition, one should avoid consuming the foods that most cause intestinal infection, such as sushi and rare eggs. See which are the 10 foods that most cause Belly Pain.
What to eat for intestinal infection
During the treatment of intestinal infection it is important to drink plenty of water to replace the fluids lost by diarrhea and vomiting, and to consume easily digestible foods, such as cooked white rice, pasta, white meat with little seasoning, cooked and shelled fruits, strained juices and teas with sugar, remembering to avoid teas with caffeine, such as green, black and mate tea.
In snacks, it is recommended to consume dry cookies without filling, white bread with fruit jelly, natural yogurts and white cheeses, such as ricotta cheese, as they are low in fat and easy to digest.
What not to eat
As long as the diarrhea lasts, you should avoid consuming vegetables and fruits in their skins, even in soups or cooked salads, as they are rich in fiber that will increase intestinal transit and favor diarrhea.
You should also avoid foods high in fat, such as red meats, butter, whole milk, yellow cheeses, bacon, sausage, sausage and processed foods, as excess fat also facilitates intestinal transit and hinders digestion.
In addition, foods that increase gas formation, such as cabbage, eggs, beans, corn, peas and desserts rich in sugar, should be avoided, as they favor diarrhea and increase abdominal pain.
How to avoid dehydration
To avoid dehydration, it is important to consume at least 2 liters of fluids per day, and you can also use homemade serum, following the recipe:
- 1 tablespoon of sugar; 1 coffee spoon of salt; 1 liter of filtered or boiled water.
Homemade serum should be left in a separate bottle for the patient to drink throughout the day, while symptoms persist. This serum is also indicated for children, pregnant women and the elderly.
See also some home remedy options for intestinal infection.
When to see a doctor
It is important to consult the doctor when the symptoms of intestinal infection last for more than 2 days, in the case of children, or 3 days, in the case of adults. In addition, it is recommended to consult the doctor when other symptoms appear, such as constant fever, drowsiness or the presence of blood in the stool.
In addition, babies younger than 3 months should be taken to the doctor as soon as they experience vomiting and diarrhea, while children older than 3 years should go to the pediatrician if symptoms last more than 12 hours. See what remedies can be used to treat intestinal infection.
