Rotavirus
Rotavirus
This is a very contagious virus whose infection leads to diarrhea. Worldwide, it’s the most frequent cause of diarrhea in infants and children. Most children in USA had been infected with this virus at least once by the age 5, before the development of vaccine. Apart from the vaccine, rotavirus can be prevented from good hygiene.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of infection starts after two days of virus exposure. Initially, patient complain of fever and vomiting, followed by watery diarrhea, by 3rd or 8th day. Abdominal pain can also be felt.
Causes
Before the appearance of symptoms, rotavirus continues to be present in the stool of infected person for several days. It can be spread through hand to mouth contact. Virus can also spread through anything through the person who got infected stool on his hands. Virus can remain infectious on the surface for weeks or longer as long as that surface is not disinfected.
Complications
- Dehydration
- Severe dehydration can lead to life-threatening complications regardless of the cause
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of this infection depends upon detailed medical history and complete general physical examination of the patient. Examination of the stool sample can be done to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
- No specific treatment for rotavirus infection
- Can’t be helped by antibiotics or antiviral
- Self-limiting usually within three to seven days.
- Oral rehydration fluid such as Pedialyte or Enfalyte — especially if the diarrhea lasts longer than a few days.
- For severe dehydration, intravenous fluids are required.
Lifestyle and home remedies
- If baby is sick give small amounts of fluid and breastfeed the baby
- Consume plenty of fluids to cope up dehydration
- Avoid eating seasoned foods, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine