Rotavirus: What It Is, Symptoms And Treatment
What is rotavirus? It is a common issue among mothers of children between 6 months and 5 years who have intestinal problems.
It is a highly contagious disease associated with the infection, known as gastroenteritis, which leads to diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting and fever.
Rotavirus is very common and has, in general, no serious consequences for children. However, in many less developed countries, the mortality rate from this disease is about 400 thousand children per year.
Below, we will give you all the information related to rotavirus so that you can learn how it gets transmitted and how to prevent it.
What is rotavirus?
Rotavirus is a family virus; Vertebrate Reovaridae RNA that affects the intestines of newborns and lactating infants in mammals.
It is a highly contagious disease classified in group 6, identified by letters that divide the VP6 type to which it belongs. Groups A, B and C can develop in humans. Type A is the one that creates the most intense symptoms in children.
The virus enters the body viruses fecal-oral contact. It is estimated that young children of breastfeeding age are likely to get the disease at least once before the age of five.
How is rotavirus transmitted?
Rotavirus is spread through fecal-oral contact. The infectious particles in the air are inhaled by the respiratory funnel or enter via contact from the hands once they have touched a surface. This includes objects, such as toys, that are exposed to the virus.
Rotavirus remains stable in the environment, so it will be useless to make an effort to eradicate it by cleaning. It can even survive in extremely hygienic environments.
What are the symptoms of this virus?
The symptoms may vary from patient to patient, or may be experienced with greater or lesser intensity. However, almost all children who have contact with the virus experience:
- Vandal diarrhea
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pains
- Some experience breathing problems
- In extreme cases of fever in the child, the child may experience seizures
- Dehydration. A child experiencing this condition will appear nervous or upset, thirsty, hollow-eyed, will urinate very little and have dry mucous membranes
It is worth noting that rotavirus can often be confused with norovirus. It is a similar intestinal infection, but it has less severe symptoms. In any case, a stool sample is the only way to diagnose the problem with certainty.
Treatment of rotavirus
Treatment for rotavirus varies according to your pediatrician’s recommendations and the severity of your child’s illness. The primary recommendation is to keep your child well hydrated with drinks that contain salt and sugar, to maintain electrolyte levels.
In extreme cases, especially in very young babies or children, fluid may be administered intravenously or via a nasogastric tube. This is because they cannot tolerate being given fluids on their own.
It is also recommended to feed the patient after several hours of hydration – whether it is a breastfeeding baby or a baby who is able to eat a soft or hard diet. Try fruit slices, yogurt and cereals, depending on the situation.
Vaccines
Vaccination is another option to fight rotavirus. There are two types of vaccines, primarily intended for breastfeeding babies. They are very easy to administer and they simply consist of a low dose given orally.
Their use is recommended for children under 2 years of age who go into day care because they have a higher risk of being affected by the disease. This is because they are in constant contact with other children and they share toys and other things.
As a final recommendation, always consult your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms in your child. That way, your doctor will do the appropriate stool test.
