How Long Is a Rotovirus Contagious?

Rotavirus is the common cause of severe diarrhea among children. According to the CDC, the primary method of transmission is fecal-oral, although the virus can be found in respiratory tract secretions and other body fluids.

Different viral strains are possible, and some children are susceptible to repeat infections. Adults can be affected by rotavirus, but the symptoms of this disease in adults are often mild. After several infections with different strains of the virus, children can build up immunity to the rotavirus. Children are most susceptible between the ages of 6 and 24 months of age.

• Washing hands prevents the transmission of germs, which can be seen in the flourescent lights of the picture.

Statistics

• Rotavirus infections are a frequent cause of hospitalization for children.

  According to the CDC, rotavirus hospitalizes 55,000 children in the United States each year and is the cause of deaths for 600,000 children worldwide. Incubation period for the rotavirus is about 2 days. An estimated 100 children in the United States die each year from complications of rotavirus infection. The virus affects children among all socioeconomic groups.

Transmission

• Disinfecting toys can reduce the risk of transmitting rotavirus and other illnesses.

  Rotavirus is highly communicable. The virus can stay alive on a person's hand up to four hours and can live on hard surfaces for up to 10 days. The virus is passed by close physical contact, secretions and sharing toys. It is important to clean and disinfect toys and other items that contagious children have been sharing. If someone with rotavirus still has diarrhea and a high fever, it is a good indicator that transmission is still possible. Those with rotavirus can still be contagious 10 to 12 days after the initial symptoms begin.

Symptoms

• Vomiting and watery diarrhea for three to eight days with abdominal pain and a fever are symptoms of rotavirus. Symptoms may continue anywhere from three to nine days and infected children can have profuse, watery diarrhea without warning. It is important to monitor changes in your child to see if they become lethargic or have cool, dry skin, as these may be signs of dehydration.

Diagnosis

• A physician will probably want a stool sample to run a rapid antigen detection test. Once the sample is provided, the test will allow a physician to promptly determine if rotavirus is present.

Prevention

• The FDA approved a rotavirus vaccine in February 2006.

  Proper hygiene and sanitation is important in preventing the spread of rotavirus, but will not offer complete protection from its transmission. A preventative vaccine was approved by the FDA in 2006 to reduce infection and transmission of rotavirus. In February 2007, the FDA issued a warning that the vaccine, Rota Teq, can cause intussuception, which occurs when part of the colon or small intestine lapses into another part of the intestinal tract, causing blood and other fluids to pass, and can cause an obstruction of the intestine. If treated promptly, a life-threatening situation can be avoided.

  The FDA approved Rotarix, a second vaccine, for market in April 2008. Rotarix is in liquid form and is administered in two separate doses. Side effects or reactions include irritability, loss of appetite, cough, fever, runny nose and vomiting.