Recently, parents of young children have raised concerns about recurring symptoms such as high fever, weakness, and vomiting. In an interview with NEWS.am, Nerses Grigoryan, a physician-epidemiologist at the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), noted that intestinal infectious diseases tend to become more active in the summer. However, he emphasized that the situation is currently under control.
“There are several symptoms characteristic of intestinal infectious diseases, including fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Children are most commonly affected, but the elderly and individuals with chronic illnesses are also at risk,” the doctor noted.
According to Nerses Grigoryan, gastrointestinal viruses primarily enter the human body through contaminated food and water.
“To prevent infection, people should first and foremost follow personal hygiene practices, including regularly washing their hands with soap. Additionally, food should be stored properly, and perishable items should be kept refrigerated and packaged. Cooked foods should be stored on higher shelves and raw foods on lower ones. Both the handling and preparation of food are critically important. If we have both raw and cooked food and use the same kitchen utensils, we must wash them thoroughly between uses to prevent the transmission of infection from one type of food to another,” the doctor noted.
According to the epidemiologist, intestinal infections can also be spread through water. Although tap water is generally safe to drink, issues can occasionally arise within the system. In such cases, it’s important to be cautious. If the water appears cloudy or has an unusual odor, it should not be used for drinking. It can only be used after being boiled and cooled.
“The season of outdoor gatherings has begun, and it’s important to be cautious,” noted Nerses Grigoryan. “Bring pre-washed fruits and vegetables, as there is often no opportunity to wash them on-site. Avoid taking cream-filled pastries, various meat products, and sausages. If you do bring meat, make sure it is cooked thoroughly—for example, pork should be kept over the fire for an extended time.”
He urged people not to self-medicate if they experience symptoms of an intestinal infection, but to consult a doctor instead.
“Using antibiotics without a doctor’s prescription may cause the infection to persist and become chronic, or lead to bacterial resistance, making treatment more difficult,” he noted.
According to Anna Stepanyan, an epidemiologist at the National Center for Infectious Diseases, depending on the severity of symptoms, individuals can first contact a primary healthcare provider—such as a pediatrician or therapist—and proceed to inpatient treatment if necessary.
“Children and adults are both prone to intestinal diseases. Although it is difficult to pinpoint a specific age group, these diseases are actually more common in children,” he said, noting that treatment methods may vary depending on symptom severity.
According to the infectious disease specialist, enterovirus infections are transmitted through both fecal-oral and airborne routes. Therefore, to prevent the spread of the virus, it is essential to follow personal hygiene rules. Additionally, thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables under running water is important.
