Rotavirus - Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children, resulting in the hospitalization of approximately 55,000 children each year in the United States and the death of over 600,000 children annually worldwide, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The highest rates of illness occur among infants and young children, and most children in the United States are infected by 2 years of age. The incubation period for rotavirus disease is approximately 2 days. The disease is characterized by vomiting and watery diarrhea for 3 to 8 days, and fever and abdominal pain occur frequently. Immunity after infection is incomplete, but repeat infections tend to be less severe than the original infection. About one in 40 children with rotavirus gastroenteritis will require hospitalization for intravenous fluids. In the United States and other countries with a temperate climate, the disease has a winter seasonal pattern, with annual epidemics occurring from November to April.

Causes of Rotavirus:

The primary mode of transmission is fecial oral, although some have reported low titers of virus in respiratory tract secretions and other bodily fluids. Due to the stability of the virus within the environment, transmission can occur through ingestion of contaminated water or food and contact with contaminated surfaces. Billions of rotavirus particles are passed in the stool of the infected individual. Tiny amounts of the rotavirus can lead to infection if a baby puts fingers or other objects contaminated with the virus into the mouth. Young children may pass it on to siblings and parents.

Signs and Symptoms of Rotavirus:

Rotavirus gastroenteritis frequently starts with a fever, nausea and vomiting followed by diarrhea. The illness can range from mild to severe and last from 3 to 9 days. Diarrhea and vomiting may result in dehydration.

Diagnosis of Rotavirus:

Diagnosis is determined by rapid antigen detection of rotavirus in stool specimens.

Rotavirus is the most common diagnosis for young children with acute diarrhea, but other causes that require differential diagnosis include bacteria (Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter most common), parasites (Giardia and Cryptosporidium most common), localized infection else­where, antibiotic-associated (antibiotic side effect as well as Clostridium difficile), and food poisoning. Noninfectious causes may include overfeeding, (particularly of fruit juices), irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, milk protein intolerance, lactose intolerance, cystic fibrosis, and inflammatory bowel syndrome.

Treatment of Rotavirus:

For individuals with healthy immune systems, rotavirus gastroenteritis is a self-limited illness, lasting for only days. Treatment is nonspecific and consists of oral rehydration therapy to prevent dehydration.

Special Considerations and Prevention tips of Rubella:

1. Strict hand washing and careful cleaning of all equipment, including any toys the child may have, is most important in the prevention of spreading the rotavirus.

2. Help the patient maintain adequate hydration. Remember that dehydration occurs rapidly within infants and young children. Ice pops, Jell-O, and ice chips may be included in the diet to maintain hydration.

3. Breast-fed infants should continue to nurse without restrictions. Lactose-free soybean formulas may be used for those who are bottle-fed.

4. Carefully monitor intake and output (including stools).

5. Cleanse the perineum thoroughly to prevent skin breakdown.

6. Instruct the patient's parents on proper hand washing technique for themselves and the infant, diaper changing, and cleansing of all affected surfaces.

7. Include the parents and caregivers in the measurement of intake and output as it relates to the infants' diapers, and instruct them to notify their doctor with any increased diarrhea, or dehydration.

8. Warn travelers that rotavirus is pandemic and can be contracted via contaminated food or water so that appropriate precautions may be undertaken.