How to recognize rotavirus, how it can be dangerous and for whom especially, and how to treat it – all the details were described in the article.
- What is rotavirus
- Why does it often occur in the summer
- What is the difference from poisoning
- Rotavirus in children
- How to treat
- How dangerous
- Vaccination
Among people, the term “rotavirus” has become a common noun. Many people call conditions that involve diarrhea and vomiting “rotavirus.” But not every episode with similar symptoms is it (that is, gastroenteritis caused by this particular virus).
A disease that is accompanied by the sudden onset of symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhea is called infectious gastroenteritis or an intestinal infection of unknown etiology. It, in turn, can be caused by viruses or bacteria.
But, indeed, according to statistics, the most common cause of intestinal infection is rotavirus, followed by norovirus, adenovirus and others. Among bacterial infections, campylobacter and salmonella are in the lead.
What is rotavirus
Rotavirus infection is a disease caused by RNA-containing rotaviruses (Rotavirus). The source of infection is a sick person.
The incubation period lasts from 15 hours to several days.
The disease begins acutely, with symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhea, fever and severe weakness.< /p>
Why often occurs in summer
Rotavirus infection has a seasonality, and, oddly enough, it is actually not summer, but the cold months.
The increase in intestinal infections in the summer is associated with other viral infections, often bacterial (the same “spoiled food”). Also, the increase in cases in the summer is associated with large contacts of children (swimming pools, ponds, children's camps) and the holiday season, which involves frequent meals outside the home.
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What is the difference between rotavirus and poisoning?
At the first stages, they are indistinguishable. But it is still worth taking a closer look at the symptoms.
The difference between a viral infection (for example, rotavirus) and “food poisoning”:
- The virus is most often transmitted by the fecal-oral route from a sick person.
- A bacterial infection may be contained in poorly prepared or spoiled food products (this is exactly what is called “food poisoning,” but the cause is still bacteria)
- A viral infection often occurs suddenly and is not associated with the intake of suspicious products
- An intestinal infection caused by a virus often occurs with a high fever.
- A viral infection does not require specific treatment, unlike a bacterial one.
- There are bacterial intestinal infections that have specific symptoms, such as marsh-colored stool or blood in the stool.
But basically, the signs of bacterial and rotavirus intestinal infections are similar, and only a stool test can confirm or refute the diagnosis.
Rotavirus in children
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe infectious diarrhea in children. Some infants and young children may have diarrhea so severe that they lose too much water, which may require emergency care and hospitalization. A child can be infected with rotavirus more than once. In most cases, subsequent illnesses are easier.
Rotavirus in children most often occurs because the child does not wash their hands properly or does not do so often enough. The virus can survive for a long time on surfaces such as door handles, toys and other hard objects. For this reason, outbreaks can occur in preschool and educational institutions. To prevent the spread of the virus, healthy children should not come into contact with a sick child.
After a child is exposed to the virus, symptoms may appear within 2 days. They manifest themselves in different ways and can range from mild to severe.
The most common symptoms of rotavirus in children are:
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Frequent watery diarrhea that can last from 3 to 8 days.
- Abdominal pain.
- A fever that goes away in 1-2 days.
The disease is dangerous because dehydration can occur very quickly, especially in infants.
Symptoms of dehydration may include:< /p>
- Lethargy.
- Drowsiness.
- Irritability.
- Dry mouth.
- Thirst.< /li>
- Pale skin or the appearance of spots on it.
- Eyes look sunken.
- It feels like the child’s fontanel has sunk in.
- When crying, it becomes fewer tears or no tears at all.
- Less urine or wet diapers.
How to treat rotavirus
Treatment of rotavirus infection involves adequate fluid replacement. It is necessary to replenish fluid and salt losses with water-salt solutions at the rate of 50 ml per kilogram of weight (these recommendations may vary depending on the intensity of vomiting/diarrhea)
One of the important points during acute diarrhea and vomiting is to drink in small portions, literally a couple of sips, but often, in order to have time to replenish losses. They use saline solutions for rehydration, preferably with the addition of glucose to replenish energy (you can simply sweeten it yourself). Sorbents are also effective.
There is no specific/antiviral treatment for rotavirus infection.
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How dangerous is rotavirus
First of all, it is dangerous for those who surround the patient.
Rotavirus is a highly contagious disease because it is highly contagious, meaning it is highly contagious. Therefore, the main role in preventing the spread of this virus belongs to the sick person, who must use individual utensils during illness and not visit public places. And of course, it is worth observing the rules of hygiene – washing your hands, not swallowing water in the pool or even in the sea.
But even for those infected with rotavirus, it is not very pleasant.
Rotavirus infection is most often really difficult. The most dangerous thing in this condition is dehydration, which is especially easy to miss in children. The more frequent and profuse the vomiting and diarrhea, the greater the risk of dehydration.
Therefore, you need to know the “red flags” that require hospitalization:
- severe weakness that increases;
- “sunken” eyes are a sign of dehydration;
- excessive breathing and heartbeat;
- reduced skin turgor (elasticity);
- reduced skin turgor (elasticity);
- reduced skin turgor (elasticity); li>
- very rare urination.
Vaccination against rotavirus
Rotavirus is especially dangerous for young children, since under 5 years of age it often occurs in a more severe form and with the risk of complications. This is why the World Health Organization recommends that infants be vaccinated against the infection. Vaccination is carried out at the ages of 2, 4 and 6 months. Vaccinations prevent rotavirus infection and also help make the disease milder.
If your child experiences abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, or changes in bowel movements after the rotavirus vaccination, it is important to immediately contact doctor to prevent complications.
- Nausea and vomiting.