Treatment for intestinal infection

Treatment for an intestinal infection should always be guided by a general practitioner or a gastroenterologist, as it is necessary to identify the type of microorganism that is causing the infection and, only afterwards, start the most appropriate treatment.

However, general care in the case of an intestinal infection is:

• Resting until symptoms improve, avoiding going to school or work; Eat grilled white meat, vegetables and fruits, to reduce tension on the gastrointestinal system. Check what to eat in case of intestinal infection; Avoid foods that are difficult to digest, such as red meat, dairy products and spicy foods, reducing stress on the affected organ; Drink lots of fluids, in the form of water, tea, homemade serum or coconut water, to maintain body hydration; Wash and cook food well, avoiding the ingestion of more microorganisms.

These precautions may be sufficient to treat intestinal infection, as the body is capable of cleaning the intestine, eliminating many of the organisms responsible for the infection.

However, when the intestinal infection does not pass in 3 days or there is worsening of the symptoms, it may be necessary to be treated with oral antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin or Ciprofloxacino, according to the doctor's recommendation.

1. Viral intestinal infection

Viral infections are usually the easiest to treat, as they do not need a specific type of treatment and are eliminated by the body itself. Thus, during the 3 days that the symptoms appear, it is very important to keep the general indications, such as resting, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding foods that are difficult to digest.

2. Bacterial intestinal infection

These infections usually arise after eating foods that are poorly washed or contaminated with bacteria, such as Salmonella or E. coli , for example. In these cases, symptoms such as blood in the stools, severe abdominal pain and persistent fever are common.

Treatment, in addition to general care, can also be done with antibiotics prescribed by the gastroenterologist, such as Neomycin or Amoxicillin, but are usually only used in cases of very severe diarrhea. To choose the best antibiotic, your doctor may order a stool test to identify the type of bacteria responsible and indicate the best antibiotic.

Since antibiotics kill both the bacteria that are causing the infection and the healthy bacteria in the gut, it is important to add a probiotic to the treatment to help rebalance the intestinal flora. See a list of the main types of probiotics.

3. Intestinal parasite infection

Infection caused by a parasite also arises from eating food contaminated with eggs from these parasites, which eventually develop in the stomach or intestine, causing an infection with symptoms such as anal itching, difficulty gaining weight, the presence of worms in the stool or difficulty sleeping.

In these cases, the gastroenterologist can advise a vermifugal remedy, such as Albendazole or Mebendazole, for example, which can be used for up to 3 days, but which then need to be repeated about 2 weeks later, to ensure that all organisms are eliminated.

See the main remedies that can be used in cases of intestinal infection.

Symptoms of intestinal infection

Symptoms of intestinal infection are related to inflammation of the intestines and include:

• Abdominal pain; Lack of appetite; Nausea and abdominal cramps; Changes in intestinal transit such as diarrhea or constipation; Headache and dehydration; General malaise.

The individual with symptoms of intestinal infection should consult a general practitioner, in the case of the adult, or a pediatrician, in the case of the baby or child, to initiate the appropriate treatment and avoid dehydration.

See a list of more symptoms of intestinal infection.

How to treat intestinal infection in the baby

Treatment for intestinal infection in the baby should be done by a pediatrician, as treatment will vary depending on the cause of the infection.

However, the most important thing is to maintain the baby's correct hydration, offering boiled water or milk, at 15-minute intervals, and to maintain good hygiene, preventing the baby from coming into contact with dirty objects, feces, urine or other sources of micro- organisms.

Natural treatment option

A great natural treatment for intestinal infection is the intake of homemade serum with sugar and salt, as it helps to replenish the minerals necessary for the functioning of the body, facilitating the treatment of the infection.

Thus, homemade serum should be used while the patient has diarrhea, ensuring correct hydration.