Food poisoning in children

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A strong reaction of the body to toxic substances that enter the gastrointestinal system with food products is called food poisoning. A person can fall into this condition at any age, but children are more prone to it. Due to the fact that the child's body is not yet sufficiently formed and does not have the strength of resistance, it cannot provide timely and sufficient resistance to toxic substances that enter the body with food products.

TYPES OF CHILDREN'S FOOD POISONING

Two types of poisoning are observed in children:

Infectious poisoning. They are caused by microbes and the toxins they release (intestinal toxicoinfection and botulism, both more common diseases caused by food poisoning).

Non-infectious poisoning. This is caused by the consumption of toxic products such as plant and animal products. In most cases, neglected children accidentally and out of curiosity taste unfamiliar berries, leaves, etc. Also, poisonous mushrooms cause this pathology.

REASONS

Poisoning is caused primarily by poisonous products (poisonous mushrooms, fungi and berries) or, in some cases, a common food product that contains a microbe or toxin. Another name for food poisoning is toxicoinfection (in this case, it refers to food products containing salmonella, intestinal infection bacilli, etc.). In addition to intoxication, these microorganisms can cause diseases such as salmonella. Intestinal infection differs from food poisoning in the manifestations of intestinal disorders.

Products with a high probability of poisoning:

• Dairy products (more, cottage cheese and ice cream);
• Eggs;
• Fish and seafood;;
• Meat;;
• Confectionery with cream;
• Ready snacks;
• Canned products, especially those made at home, and primarily mushrooms.

Of course, we are far from the opinion that it is necessary to ban a child from eating ice cream or sweets here. At the same time, it is not without benefits to teach the child to eat quality products, not from various fast-food restaurants, but to prepare food at home. It is also important to regularly inform the child about the rules of proper storage of products.

SYMPTOMS

Poisoning in children is acute, urgent and violent. The child initially complains of nausea. Then the poisoned child vomits, the body temperature rises for a while.

If the poisoning is not very strong, the child may not notice any change and after a while the condition of the emergency child may worsen. The fact is that poisoning occurs in several stages, gradually weakening the child's body, and appears suddenly. In most cases, a short-term diarrhea is observed in a poisoned child. But if several people in the family are poisoned, the symptoms of intoxication are more pronounced in the child.

The most common symptoms when children are poisoned are:

• Nausea
• Severe vomiting
• Stomach upset
• Diarrhea (several bowel movements per day)
• An increase in body temperature
• Children's feces are mixed with blood, slimy green color

In case of acute poisoning, the child may experience a dangerous complication - infectious-toxic shock. Symptoms:

• Pale skin
• Dry mouth
• Acceleration of the heart rate and difficulty breathing quickly or, on the contrary, frequent breathing, panting
• Decreased blood pressure
• Darkening of the color of urine (yellow pigments increase in its content).

As soon as the symptoms of poisoning are observed in a child, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately without waiting for their intensification. Otherwise, the child's body will quickly become dehydrated, and there is a high probability that his life will be in danger.

FIRST AID FOR FOOD POISONING

What to do at home when a child is poisoned:

1. Washing the stomach if there is no poisoning due to the ingestion of soluble substances, acid or alkaline products in the digestive system.
2. Give the child an enterosorbent, for example, Filtrum. It helps to remove a certain amount of toxins from the intestines.
3. The child needs to drink more fluids. This prevents the body from becoming dehydrated. Make the child drink at least a few sips of liquid every 15-20 minutes. These can be still water, non-spicy black or green tea, or a special saline solution.

Treatment of a poisoned child with Filtrum is carried out in the following order:

• Children from one to three years old - half a tablet, 3-4 times a day;
• If the age of the poisoned child is between 3-7, 1 tablet 3-4 times a day;
• If the patient is between 7 and 12 years old, he is given 2 tablets of Filtrum three times a day.

Crush the tablets before taking. It is recommended to drink the crushed drug with plenty of water. It is necessary not to take other medicines and not to eat for an hour after taking the medicine. Most patients with food poisoning can be treated with entersorbents. It is more effective to take the drug as a 3-5 day course.

TREATMENT OF POISONING IN CHILDREN

First aid will reduce the child's suffering, but a serious approach to treatment is required. When a child is poisoned, even if the symptoms of poisoning are not noticeable, contact a doctor-specialist immediately. If the body temperature of a poisoned child is rising, this is a sign of serious damage to the central nervous system.

The doctor-specialist prescribes treatment therapy, applies a number of procedures in necessary cases. In addition, the doctor will definitely recommend a special diet.

In severe forms of the disease, the child should be admitted to the toxicology or resuscitation department of the hospital immediately. Here, the necessary solutions are injected through the vein, and if required, the blood is purified by plasmapheresis or hemosorption.

MEDICINES

Poisoned children should be treated with the following drugs:

• Enterosorbents (for example, Filtrum)
• Prebiotics (agents that restore normal intestinal microflora)
• Antibiotics (where infectious agents enter the gastrointestinal system).

 

FOLK MEDICINE

Cinnamon tea. It is used to treat children who have been poisoned by meat or fish. To prepare this drink, steep a few pieces of cinnamon in boiling water for five minutes. Give the child two glasses of hot tincture.

In the rice field. Boiled rice prevents nausea and vomiting. To prepare khora: clean and wash the rice and put it in water at a ratio of 1:5 and boil it for 2-3 minutes. It is necessary to drink khorda several times a day.

Oatmeal Chora. Pour two cups of water over 1 tablespoon of cereal and boil for 5 minutes. Then strain through gauze and give the child a decoction up to 5 times a day.

PROPHYLAXIS IN CASE OF POISONING

Poisoning in children is completely treatable, but nevertheless, do not allow poisoning to occur. For the purpose of prevention, be more attentive to the child, bring high-quality food products. Do not let the child drink dirty water, always teach him to wash his hands before eating, do not let him eat unwashed fruits and vegetables.

Introduce pictures of inedible, poisonous mushrooms, fungus, berries. Explain that they should not be eaten even when you are hungry.

Do not forget that child poisoning can lead to serious consequences and complications. If your child is poisoned, call a doctor immediately and tell them exactly what happened. It is known that some cases of poisoning, which did not receive medical help in time, ended with death.

 

Important: read the instructions or consult your doctor before use.