What Is a Rotavirus?

Rotavirus is a common cause of gastrointestinal illness in young children and infants. Most children have contracted the virus by the age of three. It's possible for children to get the virus more than once and build up an immunity to it over time. Although adults can also contract rotavirus, it tends to only cause mild illness.

Facts

• Although most children who contract rotavirus recover within a week, it can cause severe diarrhea, which may lead to life-threatening complications. More than 600,000 children die from the illness worldwide, mostly due to dehydration. Although a child can contract the illness any time of the year, in the United States the virus tends to occur more often in the winter and spring.

Causes

• The illness is caused by the rotavirus and usually spread from person to person via contact with infected stool. For example, changing a diaper of an infected infant and not washing one's hands may transmit the virus to objects that are touched. It is also be possible to spread the virus through respiratory droplets from an infected individual. Contained water may also be a mode of transmission. Diagnosis is usually made by a review of symptoms. A stool sample may also be analyzed to detect the virus.

Symptoms

• The most common symptom is diarrhea and stomach cramps. The severity may vary. Nausea and vomiting may also occur. Some children will develop a fever and fatigue. Irritability is also common. Because frequent watery diarrhea occurs, dehydration is possible. Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, lack of urination, or crying without tear production.

Treatment

• The illness is caused by a virus and therefore antibiotics are not prescribed. Treatment is mainly geared to prevent dehydration and keep the child comfortable. Children who are old enough to eat solid foods should stick to a bland diet, such as dry toast and crackers. Small amounts of fluids should be encouraged frequently. Oral re-hydration solutions may be recommended by the child's pediatrician to prevent dehydration. Avoid dairy products and sugary fruit drinks, which can make diarrhea worse.

Prevention

• The Federal Drug Administration approved two vaccines for rotavirus for infants. The vaccine is given in three doses, usually started at two months of age and spaced two months apart. It is given orally in liquid form. The vaccine has not been FDA approved for adults. Frequent hand washing for caregivers is also essential to prevent spread of the virus, as is cleaning of toys in childcare centers with a bleach solution.