Spring has finally taken up residence, however in April, this winter disease still plays extensions! We would gladly do without it, but the gastro is still there, bringing its share of diarrhea, vomiting and intestinal cramps which put flat.
A rather unusual calendar for this virus which normally disappears at the end of winter. Where does gastro still prevail? And how to overcome it? 20 minutes explains to you.
Raising indicators
Public health figures France (SPF) well illustrate this late and unusual presence of the virus. In its latest epidemiological bulletin, the health agency notes that among all age groups, “the proportion of consultations for acute gastroenteritis (GEA) amounts to 8.7 % among all the SOS doctors consultations. This activity is higher than that observed during the 2023-2024 season and close to historical maximums ”.
During the first week of April, “eleven regions are in high activity,” observed Public health France. “Normandy, Grand-Est, Brittany”, but also New Aquitaine, PACA region and Île-de-France are thus among the regions most affected by gastroenteritis in the first week of April, observes the Sentine.
In detail, the health agency notes that the youngest are among the most affected by this late circulation of gastro: “The proportion of consultations for GEA in those under 5 is 11.2 % among all the SOS doctors consultations”, notes SPF. Again, she points out that the figures are higher than those observed “during the 2023-2024 season and close to the historic maximums”. Ditto for “the proportion of emergency passages for Gea, which amounts to 9 % among all the emergency room passages for children under 5, adds SPF, which recalls that this activity is slightly higher than that of the 2023-2024 season”.
“Make sure to rehydrate the body”
In case of strong diarrhea and/or vomiting, the body quickly loses a lot of water. The first reflex is therefore to “take care to rehydrate the organism undermined by gastro,” explains Dr. Brigitte Virey, pediatrician and president of National Union of French Pediatricians (SNPF). Especially among toddlers and if it is a gastro with several liquid stools per day. Signs of dehydration must be monitored: if they do not have their usual behavior, if they seem very tired, confused or agitated, and if they are pale and have the dry tongue and the eyes surrounded, she describes. Likewise, if there is little urine in, a little one who has a large gastro, that the diapers are dry, it is not normal. In the presence of these symptoms, you must consult without delay ”.
And in the event of severe gastro, especially among babies and toddlers, widely affected by this late circulation of the virus this year, “it is without waiting to give rehydration solutions. A child, a baby can dehydrate very quickly, much faster than an adult, recalls Dr. Virey. These solutes include all the trace elements and minerals necessary to compensate for the loss of water and well rehydrate the organism. A child may not eat for a dozen hours, it does not matter, but it must drink ”. And contrary to a tenacious received idea, “we do not give a cola for gastro, it is not a good idea, underlines the pediatrician. It contains too many sugars and no trace elements essential to rehydration ”.
As for drugs, they are not used here, “apart from paracetamol in the event of pain, adds the pediatrician. And we forget the antibiotics, since it is in the vast majority of cases of a virus. It is really hydration that is fundamental, especially during the first 24 hours, which are the most intense. And among toddlers who vomit in addition to diarrhea, it is important to give drinking, but in very small quantities, every 10 to 15 minutes, even 10 ml. It is necessary to split to prevent them from immediately vomiting the little they take. And try to eat, avoiding foods that accelerate transit. ”
Relaxation of barriers and drop in immunity
But how to explain this late presence of gastroenteritis? The seasonal flu epidemic, severe and massive this year, especially among the youngest, could have caused a global drop in our immunity. But there is also the relaxation of barriers, many of which have tired at the end of the pandemic of Covid-19. However, “hand washing is essential, especially among babies who carry everything in their mouths, it is really important,” insists Dr Virey. “Washing your hands frequently with water and soap or with a hydroalcoholic product is one of the best ways to limit the transmission of enteric viruses, abounds Public Health France. Certain viruses (rotavirus and norovirus) are very resistant in the environment, carefully and regularly clean up high risk surfaces of transmission, ”also keeps the virus remotely.
In addition, “the Rotavirus vaccine also means that we see less cases,” adds the pediatrician. In practice, “Rotavirus are responsible for about half of the severe infant diarrhea requiring hospitalization. Rotavirus vaccination is recommended in France for all infants. The two available vaccines have shown their very great efficiency in real life, ”adds Public Santé France.
To counter this late gastro circulation, the holidays could be of great help. “Viruses are transmitted a lot into community,” says Dr. Virey. Babies and children contract the virus between them and give it back to the rest of the family. But each time, the school holidays cut the epidemics, so we can hope for a rapid lull with the Easter holidays that start ”.
