What is rotavirus?

Nov. 15, 2005

Dr. Chandy John, Medical School, appeared on the Nov. 15 Kare 11 Today show.

Q:  What is rotavirus? How widespread is it? How do you treat it?

John: Rotavirus infection most often infects infants and toddlers; it is the most common cause of diarrhea. It most often strikes in the winter months, and can lead to outbreaks in day care centers or other places where many children are present. It is a common infection-most children have had rotavirus by the time they are 3 years old.

Symptoms & Treatments

Symptoms include fever, nausea and vomiting, followed by abdominal cramps and frequent diarrhea. Often children with rotavirus become dehydrated. In most children, the fever and vomiting will cease after two to three days, but diarrhea may last up to nine days.

Signs of dehydration include thirst, irritability, restlessness, lethargy, and dry skin. Children who are dehydrated will have dry diapers for longer than normal, or make fewer trips to the restroom

Prevention

The virus is very contagious, and is present in the stool of infected people even before symptoms are present. Because the virus is widespread, total prevention is nearly impossible. Good hygenie is the best defense against rotavirus. Wash hands frequently and make sure infected children stay away from non-infected children.

Since the illness is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not work to resolve rotavirus.

Call your pediatrician if your child is showing signs of rotavirus, especially if your child is showing signs of dehydration. Prevent dehydration by giving your child plenty of fluids. Seek medical advice about what, if any, over the counter medicines you should give your child. Children who become severely dehydrated may have to be admitted to the hospital for treatment with intravenous fluids.

For additional inforamtion, check out the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.