Gastroenteritis during pregnancy
Gastroenteritis is a virus that has us unable to eat food for a few days, and many mothers are concerned that it may affect the fetus.
The gastroenteritis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises the stomach and intestine. The main symptoms of this disease are loss of appetite , diarrhea , vomiting, abdominal pain and cramps. It is one of the most common viral infections that is also known as stomach flu and is not considered a serious pathology.
The main causes of gastroenteritis are viruses, especially rotavirus, Escherichia coli and Campylobacter bacteria, and there are other infectious agents that cause this disease, such as parasites . In addition, there are other non-infectious causes that cause the gastrointestinal tract to become inflamed, such as lactose (in those who have intolerance to it) or gluten (in those who suffer from celiac disease). Rotavirus occurs more in children because their immune system is weaker, as adults develop immunity over time.
Being a viral or bacterial disease, it can be transmitted by eating food that has been improperly prepared, by ingesting contaminated water or through physical contact with people or utensils used by those people who are already infected. It manifests itself suddenly, between 12 and 72 hours after contracting the causative agent, causing a lack of appetite, diarrhea or vomiting, which rarely present two symptoms at the same time. Some symptoms such as headache, fever, or fatigue may also occur.
It is diagnosed clinically based on the signs and symptoms that the person presents. It is important to determine how much fluid the patient is losing with diarrhea and vomiting , if there are complications or pregnancy, and what other diagnoses could also be considered, such as food intolerances discussed above, to determine the severity of the disease.
Generally, in people who are in good health, the treatment of gastroenteritis requires the replacement of fluids, electrolytes and nutrients lost with diarrhea or vomiting. Not eating anything for the first few hours helps prevent symptoms from getting worse. It is important to drink a lot of mineral water or infusions without sugar, follow a bland or astringent diet and rest to regain energy. Sometimes, when it is of bacterial origin, it is necessary to take specific antibiotics against pathogens. As a general rule, the evolution of the disease does not present any complications and the symptoms improve on their own.
A gastroenteritis only requires further tests in certain situations: if the gastroenteritis presents a serious evolution or the stools contain blood, if complications appear (such as sepsis), if the patient has recently been in a country at risk . To find out which pathogen causes gastroenteritis, a stool sample is tested in the laboratory.
To avoid the spread of contagion or to prevent suffering from the disease, patients and those around them should follow hygienic measures such as frequent hand washing, especially after using the bathroom or before meals. All foods , especially meat, fish or shellfish, must also be washed and cooked well .
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AND WHAT HAPPENS IF IT OCCURS DURING PREGNANCY?
Women during pregnancy are as likely as other adults to contract this disease. If the gastroenteritis is mild, you should only follow the same indications as for other people: do not eat during the first hours, drink plenty of fluids or some oral hydration solution sold in pharmacies, follow a soft diet and maintain rest. It is true that many women have the most sensitive stomach in this period and can even return water. A trick to hydratein this situation it is sucking ice cubes. You should not worry about stopping eating for a few hours as it will not affect the baby in any way. You can fast for up to 24 hours and you can consult your doctor about a special diet to follow when food is tolerated again. In the event that there is a high fever or profuse diarrhea or vomiting, it is advisable to go to the family doctor or to the emergency room.
In any case, and although many women worry about this situation, do not be alarmed by suffering from gastroenteritis while pregnant as it does not affect the baby or the pregnancy.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.