Rotavirus
Topic Overview
What is rotavirus, and what causes it?
Rotavirus is a virus that infects the intestinal tract of almost all young children by age 5. In the United States, most children get sick from rotavirus by age 2. A rotavirus infection causes stomach upset and diarrhea.
Babies and very young children with rotavirus infections need to be watched closely because they can become dehydrated. Dehydration occurs when the body loses water more quickly than it is replaced. When you become dehydrated, you can develop severe health problems. Babies and young children can become dehydrated very quickly.
Rotavirus infections spread easily. Outbreaks usually occur in the winter and early spring, between about November and April. Rotavirus infections often spread in settings where many children are together, such as day care centers.
The virus spreads through contact with the stools from an infected child. But the virus spreads easily even when people try very hard to keep places clean. For example, when a caregiver changes the messy diaper of a child who has rotavirus infection, germs can get on the changing table, the caregiver's hands, or the hands of the already infected child. The rotavirus germs can then spread to other children from the caregiver's or child's unwashed hands. It may be only a few steps to the sink, but the germs may get on surfaces that the caregiver or child touches along the way. For example, the germs may get on toys, doorknobs, or sink surfaces. The germs can live for days on objects and surfaces if they are not immediately disinfected.
Other children who get the rotavirus germs on their hands can get the infection when they put their hands in their mouths. They can also get infected with rotavirus by chewing on a toy that has the germs on it.
What are the symptoms?
It takes about 1 to 2 days for a child who is exposed to the rotavirus germs to start having symptoms.
Vomiting is often the first symptom. Usually, a fever and diarrhea follow. Most children with rotavirus have very watery diarrhea that seems like a large amount for a baby or small child. The most severe diarrhea lasts 4 to 8 days. But episodes of diarrhea can last long after your child starts feeling better. In some children, diarrhea can last for a few weeks.
Diarrhea, especially when it occurs along with vomiting, can quickly lead to dehydration in babies and young children who have rotavirus. For this reason, it is important to keep feeding your baby breast milk or formula. You may also want to try rehydration drinks, such as Pedialyte, Infalyte, or Rehydralyte.
Watch your child closely for signs of dehydration, such as having fewer than 3 wet diapers in 24 hours. Call your doctor right away if you think your child may be dehydrated.
How is rotavirus diagnosed?
Your doctor will probably diagnose your child with rotavirus infection based on his or her symptoms. The time of year also is an important clue. If your child has diarrhea and other symptoms during the winter or early spring (about November through April), your doctor will often suspect rotavirus as the cause.
A test of stool can be done to confirm a diagnosis. This kind of test is not needed unless your child has other health conditions that make it important to know the exact cause of symptoms.
How is it treated?
It is most important to help keep your child comfortable and prevent dehydration.
Hold your child as much as he or she wants. Keep your child in comfortable clothes, and change his or her diaper or underpants as needed. You may need to use warm washcloths to wipe your child's bottom and creams to help prevent soreness. In some cases, you may want to hold your baby and rinse his or her bottom in running bath water to clean the area well.
To prevent dehydration, your doctor may recommend a rehydration drink designed for babies and young children, such as Pedialyte or Infalyte. This may be especially helpful if your child's diarrhea lasts longer than a few days. Rehydration drinks help replace fluids and electrolytes. Plain water doesn't provide necessary nutrients or electrolytes and may not be absorbed when your child has diarrhea. Rehydration drinks do not make diarrhea go away faster, but they can prevent serious dehydration from developing.
Do not give your baby or young child rehydration drinks for adults or sports drinks, such as Gatorade. These drinks do not have the proper balance of nutrients and electrolytes for small children.
A baby or young child needs to be treated in a hospital if dehydration becomes severe. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your baby has signs of severe dehydration, which include:
- A lack of interest in playing and extreme sleepiness. (The child may be so sleepy that he or she is difficult to wake up.)
- A dry mouth and tongue.
- A sunken soft spot (fontanel) on top of the head.
- Sunken eyes without tears.
- Fast breathing and rapid heartbeat.
- No urination (a dry diaper) for more than 12 hours.
Can I prevent my child from getting rotavirus?
You can help prevent the spread of rotavirus by washing your hands thoroughly and often. But it is very hard to prevent your child from getting this infection. Most children get a rotavirus infection by age 2; almost all have had it by age 5. Your child can get rotavirus more than once, but the first infection is usually the worst.
Rotavirus vaccine
(What is a PDF document?) helps protect against rotavirus disease. Depending on which brand of vaccine is used, children should get two or three doses. Talk to your doctor about whether this vaccine is available and recommended for your child.
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| Author: | Amy Fackler, MA Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: August 24, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics William Atkinson, MD, MPH - Public Health and Preventive Medicine | |
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