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ROTAVIRUS- Stomache Ache for Winter

December 8, 2007

Every year in the United States, Rotavirus infections lead to about 3 million cases of diarrhea and 55,000 hospitalizations for diarrhea and dehydration in children under 5 years old. Rotavirus usually infects infants and young children ages 3 months to 2 years. In the United States, it leads to outbreaks of diarrhea during the winter months and is particularly a problem in child-care centers and children’s hospitals. Almost all children have had a rotavirus infection by the time they are 3 years old.

Watery diarrhea is the most common symptom, but other symptoms include vomiting and fever. Children who are infected may also have a cough and runny nose. However, children with rotavirus infections usually do not have high fever, bloody diarrhea, or severe cramping. Sometimes the diarrhea that accompanies a rotavirus infection is so copious that it can cause significant dehydration. Signs of dehydration include: thirst, irritability, restlessness, lethargy, sunken eyes, a dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, and a dry diaper for several hours.

Rotavirus infection is very contagious Transmission is usually by the fecal-oral route which means that the virus is present in the stool of children with diarrhea and is passed to another child’s mouth by having direct contact with that child’s stool. However, Children can catch a rotavirus infection if they put their fingers in their mouths after touching something that has been contaminated by the stool of an infected person. Usually this happens when children forget to wash their hands often enough, especially before eating and after using the toilet. People who care for children, including health-care and child-care workers, can also spread the virus, especially if they do not wash their hands after changing diapers.

Children usually develop symptoms about 1 to 3 days after having contact with someone who is also infected. In most children, fever and vomiting will stop after 2 to 3 days, but diarrhea may last for up to 9 days. Although some children get a rotavirus infection more than once, subsequent infections are usually not as severe as the first episode.

Posted by NatalieGeary, MD | Filed Under Dr Geary 

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