Rotavirus

Definition: Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and children
worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Before the
development of a vaccine, most children in the United States had at least one bout with
rotavirus by age 5.
Although rotavirus infections are unpleasant, you can treat most of them at home with
extra fuids to prevent dehydration. Occasionally, severe dehydration requires
intravenous fuids in the hospital. Dehydration is a serious complication of rotavirus and
a major cause of childhood deaths in developing countries.
Vaccination can help prevent rotavirus infection in your infant. For older children and
adults who aren't as likely to develop serious symptoms of rotavirus frequent
hand-washing is the best line of defense.
Symptoms: A rotavirus infection usually starts with a fever and vomiting, followed by three
to eight days of watery diarrhea. The infection can cause abdominal pain as well. In adults who
are otherwise healthy, a rotavirus infection may cause only mild signs and symptoms or none
at all.