Zinc gluconate has a certain therapeutic effect on rotavirus diarrhea, mainly reflected in shortening the course of disease, alleviating symptoms, and reducing the risk of recurrence. The following is a detailed introduction:
I. Shortening the Course of Disease
Zinc gluconate promotes the repair and regeneration of intestinal mucosal cells. Rotavirus infection damages the intestinal mucosa, impairing intestinal absorption and digestion. Zinc provides essential nutritional support for the repair of intestinal mucosal cells, accelerating the renewal and replacement of damaged cells, restoring intestinal function to normal more quickly, and thus shortening the duration of diarrhea.
Relevant studies show that supplemental zinc gluconate can reduce the average duration of rotavirus diarrhea by 1–2 days. For example, a study on infants with rotavirus diarrhea found that symptom relief occurred significantly earlier in the group treated with zinc gluconate compared to the control group without zinc supplementation.
II. Alleviating Symptoms
Zinc gluconate helps regulate intestinal immune function. Zinc enhances the activity of immune cells (such as lymphocytes and macrophages) in the intestinal mucosal immune system, improving their ability to recognize and eliminate pathogens, reducing rotavirus invasion and damage to the intestine, and alleviating clinical symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.
It also maintains the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa. Zinc is involved in the synthesis and stabilization of tight junction proteins in intestinal mucosal epithelial cells, which prevent pathogens and harmful substances from entering the bloodstream through the intestinal mucosa, reducing intestinal infections and inflammatory responses, and thus mitigating the severity of diarrhea symptoms.
III. Reducing Recurrence Risk
Supplementing zinc gluconate improves the body’s immune function and enhances resistance to rotavirus. Zinc plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of the immune system: it promotes the proliferation and differentiation of immune cells and enhances antibody production, enabling the body to clear viruses more effectively after rotavirus infection and reducing the risk of reinfection.
For children with weaker immunity, especially those with recurrent rotavirus diarrhea, long-term moderate zinc gluconate supplementation helps improve their immune status and reduce the frequency of rotavirus diarrhea recurrences.
IV. Suitable Populations and Precautions
Zinc gluconate is particularly effective in treating rotavirus diarrhea in children, as they are in a growth stage with high zinc requirements and are more prone to zinc deficiency after rotavirus infection.
When using zinc gluconate to treat rotavirus diarrhea, follow a doctor’s advice regarding appropriate dosage and treatment duration. Excessive zinc supplementation may cause adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, and may also affect the absorption of other trace elements.
