Infectious Diseases
Rotavirus Infections
Rotavirus is a contagious virus and, among
children, is the leading cause of severe diarrhea. In some infants and
children, diarrhea may be so severe that they become dehydrated and may
require emergency care or hospitalization.
- Across the world, rotavirus is thought to be responsible for more
than 130 million cases of diarrhea each year in children and infants.
- As many as 55,000 children are hospitalized each year in the US due to rotavirus infections.
- Across the world, rotavirus is responsible for the death of as many as 600,000 children each year.
- The virus peaks during the cooler months of the year starting in the fall and ending in the spring.
- Most children have been infected with rotavirus by the time they are 2 years old.
- The majority of children acquire the virus between 3 months and 35 months.
- A child or adult may become infected with rotavirus more than once,
but, usually, the initial case is the most severe and subsequent
infections are more mild.
Transmission of rotavirus most often occurs
through fecal-oral contact. Usually, this occurs from poor hand washing
or from ingestion of contaminated food or water. The virus may also be
transmitted through the respiratory tract or by other body fluids, but
these routes are less common. The virus may live on inanimate surfaces,
such as doorknobs, toys, and hard surfaces, for quite some time. For
this reason, outbreaks can occur in child care centers and within
families who share a household. The hospitalized child will need to be
isolated from other children to prevent transmission of the virus.
- After coming in contact with the virus, it may take up to two days for symptoms to develop.
The symptoms for rotavirus can range from mild to
severe. The following are the most common symptoms of rotavirus.
However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may
include.
- fever, which usually subsides within the first couple of days
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea (usually watery and frequent; may last between three to eight days)
- dehydration, which can occur quickly, especially in infants. Symptoms of dehydration may include:
- lethargy or sleepiness
- irritability
- thirst
- pale color to skin or mottling
- less elasticity in the skin
- eyes appear deeply sunken
- baby's fontanelle (or soft spot) may feel sunken
- decreased or absent tears
- decreased urine output or fewer wet diapers
- dry mouth
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, a stool culture may be used to detect the virus.
Specific treatment for rotavirus will be determined by your child's physician based on:
- your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the disease
- your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the disease
- your opinion or preference
There is no cure for rotavirus, so treatment of
the disease is supportive (aimed at treating the symptoms present).
Treatment may include:
- oral re-hydration with water, formula, breast milk and/or special
electrolyte-containing fluids (fluids containing sugars and salts) such
as Pedialyte® (very young children should NOT be re-hydrated with soda,
juices, or sports drinks)
- continue feeding your child solid foods (if he/she is able to tolerate it)
About one out of every 40 children may develop
severe enough dehydration to require hospitalization. In these children
treatment may include:
- intravenous (IV) fluids
- nasogastric (NG) tube feedings - a small tube may be place into your child's stomach through their nose so that formula or fluids may be administered.
- blood work (to measure your child's electrolyte levels: sugar, salt, and other chemicals in the blood).
The following will help to prevent the spread of the rotavirus:
- proper hygiene and hand washing technique
- cleaning hard surfaces, toys, and doorknobs
- proper handling and disposal of dirty diapers, even after your child no longer has symptoms
If your child develops rotavirus, he/she may not
be able to attend daycare or school while he/she is ill. If your child
is hospitalized, he/she will be isolated from other children to prevent
an outbreak in the hospital.
A rotavirus vaccine that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 was pulled from the market in 1999 because of an association between the vaccine and an increased risk for intussusception in infants aged one year or younger. However, no direct link was established to the vaccine as a cause of intussusception.
A new rotavirus vaccine was approved by the FDA in 2006. The risk for intussusception with the new vaccine was evaluated in a large clinical trial of over 70,000 children, and no increased risk was found. The manufacturer of the vaccine will continue to closely monitor the vaccine’s safety in additional clinical studies.
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Disclaimer:
This information is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's physician. The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.
Last reviewed on 10/4/2006