Rotavirus is a virus that causes gastroenteritis. It infects the intestinal tract of almost all young children by age 5. There are five species of this virus, referred to as A, B, C, D, and E. Rotavirus A, the most common species, causes more than 90% of rotavirus infections in humans. Children can get rotavirus more than once, but the first infection is usually the worst. This infection causes stomach upset and diarrhea. Older children and adults and can also become infected with rotavirus. Once a person has been exposed to rotavirus, it takes about 2 to 3 days for the symptoms to appear.
Children can spread the virus both before and after they become sick with diarrhea. They can also pass rotavirus to family members and other people with whom they have close contact. People who are infected with rotavirus shed rotavirus (passed from a person’s body into the environment) in their feces (stool). They shed the virus most when they are sick and during the first 3 days after they recover from rotavirus disease.
Symptoms
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Lethargic, irritable or in pain
- Dehydration
- dry mouth
- crying without tears
- little or no urination, unusual sleepiness or unresponsiveness
- Sunken eyes or sunken soft spot on top of the head
Rotavirus vaccines are very effective in preventing rotavirus gastroenteritis and the accompanying diarrhea and other symptoms. CDC recommends routine vaccination of infants with either of the two available vaccines:
- RotaTeq® (RV5), which is given in 3 doses at ages 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months; or
- Rotarix® (RV1), which is given in 2 doses at ages 2 months and 4 months
Test options
A.I.I Panel : Acute intestinal Infections Panel
Learn more about Norovirus
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rotavirus/basics/definition/con-20026103
http://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/tc/rotavirus-topic-overview
