Remedies for Acid from Rotavirus

Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, fever and headache. Sounds like the flu, doesn't it? Or it could be a tougher, more serious disease known as Rotavirus. This flu-like ailment is most common in young children and infants. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that worldwide, by age two or three, most children have battled Rotavirus. So, how does one deal with side effects like stomach acid?

Primary Symptoms

• Rotavirus is an infection typically acquired from fecal matter. Unwashed hands of children or of parents who change diapers are often the culprits. A virus-carrying hand can touch a doorknob just moments before another unsuspecting hand grabs that same door knob--and the virus is passed. An individual infected with Rotavirus has the virus for several days before showing symptoms and can still carry the virus for up to 10 days after symptoms abate.

  Because vomiting and diarrhea are the primary symptoms, dehydration is a major concern during a bout of Rotavirus. Fever is also common and fever control is another common focus when treating a Rotavirus patient. The illness, like most viral infections, just has to take its course and it eventually goes away.

Stomach Acid

• Problems with stomach acid rarely accompany Rotavirus. There's really no direct relationship as the virus does not target any systems that affect gastric juice production. It's always possible that someone who suffers from gastrointestinal tract problems may mistake the stomach pains and diarrhea for acid-related problems. However, Rotavirus doesn't employ acid to create its effects. However, treating stomach acid in a Rotavius patient would be similar to treating an acid issue in most patients.

  Antacids, like Tums, Rolaids and Maalox, can always neutralize acid. Antihistamine II blockers, such as Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid and Axid, help block the production of acid. These drugs are mostly by prescription, although some come over-the-counter in lower strengths. Proton pump inhibitors are prescription medications which stop the secretion of acidic stomach juices. Common brands include Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, Aciphex and Protonix.

Getting Help

• Rotavirus is a very serious disease. Attempting to self-remedy a perceived stomach acid problem while facing Rotavirus is very risky. Any one of the mentioned treatments may be the right thing for you--or none of them at all. It depends very much on your health history and the strength of the illness you're facing.

  Consult a qualified physician who can help you sort through these complicated issues.