Rotavirus

What is rotavirus?

Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that mainly affects babies and young children. It infects the digestive (gastrointestinal) tract, inflames (swells) the cells that line the small intestine and interrupts digestion.

It can cause intense diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. The loss of fluids and electrolytes can lead to dehydration. Rotavirus infections are common throughout the world and are a leading cause of hospitalization for diarrhea in children under age 5.

How rotavirus spreads

Rotovirus spreads easily when particles from an infected person’s stool come in contact with another person’s mouth (fecal-oral route). That can happen with:

• Contaminated hands or surfaces
• Contaminated food or water
• Contact with objects or surfaces that have been touched by an infected person

The virus spreads easily in places like daycare centers, households with young children and crowded living conditions. It can be contagious from two days before symptoms appear to 10 days after and it can live on surfaces for weeks or months. Infections are most common in winter and spring. 

Symptoms of rotavirus

With rotavirus, you may notice your baby or child has:

• Frequent, watery diarrhea that may have a greenish color
• Vomiting that may occur multiple times a day
• Mild to moderate fever
• Abdominal pain

Symptoms usually start one to three days after exposure to the virus. Diarrhea and vomiting may last for three to seven days, which is why there’s a high risk of dehydration. Most children are better within a week, but sometimes symptoms last longer.

Infections are possible but less common in older children and adults. People with weaker immune systems are at higher risk.

Diagnosing rotavirus

You should see a health care provider if your child has symptoms of rotavirus. It is especially important to seek care for:

• Signs of dehydration, which include dry mouth, less urine than usual, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, a sunken soft spot on the top of the head, dizziness or a lack of energy
• Diarrhea for more than 24 hours
• Black or bloody stools
• Frequent vomiting
• A fever above 102°F
• Severe symptoms or symptoms that are getting worse
• Unusual sleepiness
• The inability to keep fluids down
• Any concerns about your child’s overall health

For a rotavirus diagnosis, your provider will check your child's symptoms and medical history. They will look for signs of dehydration and ask if the child has been exposed to the virus. They may perform a stool test to confirm that rotavirus (not another condition) is causing the symptoms.

Other conditions with symptoms like rotavirus include:

• Gastroenteritis: An inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites. 
• Norovirus: A viral infection that affects the digestive system. It affects people of any age and tends to clear up in one to three days. There’s no vaccine for it.
• Bacterial infections: Infections caused by bacteria such as Salmonella or E. coli. They may need antibiotics for treatment.
• Food poisoning: Illness from eating contaminated food or beverages. Symptoms of food poisoning usually appear more quickly than rotavirus symptoms.
• Parasitic infections: Infections like Giardia may cause symptoms that last a long time. They can usually be diagnosed with stool tests. 

Treating rotavirus

There is no medication your child can take to cure a rotavirus infection. These steps can help manage symptoms at home and prevent dehydration:

• Make sure your child stays hydrated with oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte or with water, broth or diluted fruit juice. Don't give them sugary drinks or sodas since they can make diarrhea worse.  Ask your medical provider what is best for your child, especially if you have a young infant. 
• Within 24 hours of getting sick, your child should begin eating a normal, healthy diet again (if possible), including fruits, vegetables, meat, yogurt and complex carbohydrates. 
• Make sure your child gets plenty of rest so they can recover.
• You may be able to use over the counter (OTC) medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to help with fever and discomfort. Always follow the dosage instructions.
• Antidiarrheal medications are usually not recommended for young children with rotavirus since they may not help and they can have side effects.
• Children who become severely dehydrated may need to get intravenous (IV) fluids in a hospital. Severe dehydration can cause convulsions and shock and may be life-threatening.

It’s possible to get rotavirus more than once, but it’s usually milder after the first time.

Preventing rotavirus

The best way to prevent rotavirus infection is with vaccination. The rotavirus vaccination (RotaTeq or Rotarix) is given in a series of oral (drops by mouth) doses that start at age 2 months.

The rotavirus vaccine is safe and effective. Some babies have mild diarrhea or vomiting afterward that goes away quickly. The vaccine is not recommended for children who have had a condition called intussusception, where the bowel folds back on itself.  It also should not be given to children who have severely weakened immune systems. This is very rare and your medical provider can help decide this.   

Rotavirus infections used to be more common but vaccines are helping young children stay healthy. Children who are vaccinated are less likely to get sick from rotavirus. If they do, they are less likely to have a severe infection.

These steps may also help prevent the spread of rotavirus:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food. Hand sanitizers aren’t as effective against rotavirus.
• Dispose of diapers properly and clean the changing area thoroughly.
• Wash any clothing that gets soiled with vomit or diarrhea right away.
• Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces or objects like countertops, dining areas, toys, electronics and bathroom fixtures. Make sure you use a disinfectant that can kill viruses.
• Prepare and store food safely. 
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and cook meats to appropriate temperatures.
• Keep children who are sick away from other children until they have recovered.

Getting care

Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that usually infects babies and young children and causes diarrhea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. It can lead to dehydration. The infection spreads easily through unwashed hands, surfaces, food and water but vaccination can help prevent infection.

If your child shows symptoms of rotavirus or if you're concerned about dehydration, consult a health care provider. 

At Banner Health, our experienced pediatricians and health care providers are well-versed in diagnosing and managing rotavirus infections. We’re committed to staying updated with the latest medical guidelines and research and we tailor treatment to each person’s needs. We’ll make sure your child receives the best possible care.