Cure for Rotavirus in Infants

The most common cause of diarrhea in infants and young children is rotavirus. By the time most children are five, most have acquired at least one rotavirus infection. Rotavirus outbreaks are common during the spring and winter months. Preventing infant rotavirus includes regular hand washing and vigilantly making sure all items that come in contact with your infant are clean and sanitized. In an attempt to cure and prevent rotavirus infections and symptoms, pediatricians recommend all infants receive the RotaTeq vaccination along with all standard immunizations.

Symptoms

• Infants with a rotavirus infection may have fever, vomiting and nausea, abdominal cramping and watery, frequent diarrhea. Infant rotavirus infections may also result in coughing and a runny nose. Rotavirus can lead to severe infant dehydration. Signs of infant dehydration may include extreme thirst, irritability, lethargy, sunken eyes, dry tongue, mouth and skin as well as lack of urination and dry diapers.

Prevention

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants be vaccinated at least three times for rotavirus during their two, four and six month immunizations. RotaTeq, the vaccination for rotavirus prevents 74 percent of rotavirus infections and 98 percent of severe rotavirus cases. Infants usually contract the infection by placing their hands in and around their mouths after touching an infected person or contaminated surface. Adults and older children can prevent passing the virus to infants by continuous hand cleansing. Regularly cleaning your infants hands will also help prevent rotavirus exposure. All infant items such as bottles, pacifiers and toys should be routinely cleaned and sanitized. Sanitize items around your house such as door knobs, telephones, toilet handles and faucet handles to further prevent passing rotavirus to your infant.

Home Treatment

• Consult your pediatrician for treating your infant at home for rotavirus. Most pediatricians recommend that infants be treated with special drinks and liquids that replace bodily fluids to prevent dehydration. Infants should continue drinking formula and/or breastfeeding on a regular schedule or on demand when they seem hungry. Infants who are suffering from vomiting should be fed less amounts yet more frequently.

Professional Treatment

• Infant rotavirus infections are the leading cause hospitalizations for diarrhea and dehydration in American children under the age of five. Your pediatrician will test your infants blood, urine or stool to determine if diarrhea is caused by a rotavirus infection. Because rotavirus is a viral infection, your infant will not receive antibiotic treatment. Infants suffering severe diarrhea and dehydration may need to be hospitalized and treated with intravenous fluids.

Warning

• Rotavirus is extremely contagious and a particular problem in day-care centers and children's hospitals. Infants who attend day care should be kept at home until all diarrhea and symptoms of rotavirus have cleared up.