What is Rotaviral Gastroenteritis?

Rotaviral gastroenteritis is also known as "rotavirus" and is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in young children. Most children have been infected at least once by the time they reach age five and many end up in the hospital. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 55,000 children are hospitalized in the United States each year due to rotaviral gastroenteritis. Worldwide, the virus takes the lives of 600,000 children annually, mostly in developing nations.

Symptoms

• Watery diarrhea is the classic symptom of rotaviral gastroenteritis. Abdominal pain, vomiting and fever may also be present. Diagnosis is made by stool sample in which the rotavirus is detected, although it has a characteristic smell that is easily recognized by health care workers. The incubation period for this illness is 24 to 48 hours. (This is how long it is between the time someone is infected and develops symptoms). Once symptoms appear, the illness usually lasts between 3 to 8 days. The worst cases usually occur in young children and the elderly. Adults may get rotavirus but the symptoms are usually milder.

Transmission

• Rotaviral gastroenteritis is primarily transmitted by direct contact with infectious stool. Rotavirus can live on surfaces longer than other viruses and so may also be transmitted from touching contaminated articles or from contaminated food or water. It has also been detected in respiratory secretions, although this is rare. It is recommended that an infected person stay out of work or school for 48 hours after diarrhea has stopped.

Treatment

• Treatment for rotaviral gastroenteritis is symptomatic. Hydration is critical and the primary reason for hospitalization. With intense vomiting, infected individuals can not drink and require IV fluids and careful supervision to re-hydrate and prevent death. Diapered children may suffer skin breakdown from the caustic effects of stool on skin. IV medications may be administered to decrease vomiting.

Prevention

• Prevention of rotaviral gastroenteritis includes excellent hand washing and personal hygiene. It is essential to maintain a clean environment and ensure good sanitation practices. Outbreaks are defined as two or more related cases. Under those circumstances, the aim is to identify the source and clean the appropriate areas to prevent further spread. It is also important to prevent contact of well and infected persons. That can be challenging in a facility setting like a child development center or nursing home.

Immunization

• Research began in the 1970s, and a live oral vaccine for rotavirus was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1998. It is administered to babies at ages 2, 4 and 6 months ideally. The first dose should not be given after a child reaches 7 months because older babies are likely to develop fevers. All three doses should be given before the first birthday with at least three weeks between doses. The vaccine is expected to reduce by one-third the number of hospitalizations and deaths from rotavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.