How to Recognize and Treat Rotavirus Disease

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The most common cause of severe diarrhea among children, Rotavirus disease can occur through ingestion of contaminated water or food and contact with contaminated surfaces. The highest rates of the illness are found among infants and young children.

Steps

1. Recognize the symptoms of the disease. Look for:
   • Abdominal pain.
   • Fever.
   • Vomiting.
   • Watery diarrhea lasting 3-8 days.
2. Know that the incubation period for rotavirus disease is approximately 2 days.
3. Be aware that in the U.S. and other countries with a temperate climate, the disease has a seasonal pattern, with outbreaks occurring from November to April.
4. Understand that treatment for the disease typically consists of oral rehydration therapy to prevent dehydration.

Tips

• Diagnosis is made by detection of rotavirus in stool specimens.
• Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a self-limited illness, and only lasts for a few days in people with healthy immune systems.
• Rotavirus disease can be prevented with a live, oral vaccine called RotaTeq™.
• The vaccine will prevent 74% of all rotavirus cases, nearly 96% of hospitalizations due to rotavirus, and about 98% of severe cases.
• Children are slightly more likely to have mild, temporary diarrhea or vomiting within 7 days after getting a dose of rotavirus vaccine.