Rotavirus is a stomach illness that can affect adults and children. It is usually mild, but severe cases may occur in people who are immunocompromised. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. If you experience these symptoms, make sure to get medical help right away. A health care provider can help you diagnose rotavirus, which can lead to treatment.
The virus is transmitted through the mouth and fecal-oral contact, and a person’s stool can contain the virus for up to 10 days after the illness has resolved. Rotavirus can also be passed from the infected person to others when the person handles food that someone else has eaten.
Rotavirus symptoms are often similar to other forms of gastroenteritis, but the illness is more likely to be serious in infants and toddlers. Because these symptoms are so serious, some infants may require hospitalization.
Symptoms of rotavirus typically begin within three to eight days of being infected. Although the illness is not life-threatening, it can cause dehydration, which can lead to serious complications. Children who are infected may need to have intravenous fluids to restore their body’s balance of salts and minerals. They can also be at risk for convulsions and shock.
During a bout with rotavirus, the infected person will experience symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, decreased urination, and headache. The disease can be treated with oral rehydration solutions, but antibiotics are not effective. You can also prevent rotavirus by disinfecting common surfaces frequently. In addition, you can reduce your child’s chances of contracting the virus by not touching surfaces that have been contaminated by someone who has it.
If a child is suffering from rotavirus, he or she should stay home from school for 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea. This is because the virus can remain infectious on surfaces for weeks or months.
In addition, the rotavirus virus can be transmitted through other bodily fluids, such as through sneezing or coughing. If you are concerned about a friend or loved one, you should ask to have his or her bodily fluids tested. Your healthcare provider can take a sample from the infected person’s stools and test it in a laboratory. Often, the diagnosis can be based on questions about the symptoms and a physical exam.
Treatment for rotavirus is centered on keeping the infected child hydrated. Patients should drink plenty of clear liquids. Avoid sugary sports drinks and dairy products, as these can worsen the illness. Some children with rotavirus may need intravenous fluids. Keeping your child hydrated is the best way to ensure he or she will recover from the illness.
When a child is experiencing rotavirus symptoms, he or she should avoid eating large meals or consuming foods that can make the disease worse. He or she should also be encouraged to rest and have smaller meals.
There are two vaccines available for rotavirus infection. The first is an oral vaccine that protects most children from the disease. The second is an injectable vaccine that is given to babies at an early age.
