Symptoms and Causes of Rotavirus

Rotavirus is a virus that can infect children. The rotavirus vaccine has helped many children stay well and out of the hospital, even though the illness used to occur more frequently. Rotavirus can infect people and make them sick with diarrhoea. Dehydration in children can have devastating consequences. Let us look at what is rotavirus and the symptoms and causes of rotavirus in this blog.

What is rotavirus?

Children are more susceptible to gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) infections known as rotavirus. Vomiting and diarrhoea are the results. Rotavirus typically affects children in the late winter to early spring.

There are two rotavirus vaccinations available. Most children who receive a vaccination never contract rotavirus. The vaccines virtually invariably lessen the severity of sickness in those who receive them.

How does rotavirus spread?

Contact with faeces is how the rotavirus is disseminated (poop). You might, for instance, change a baby’s rotavirus-infected dirty diaper. You run the risk of putting virus particles in your mouth if you don’t wash your hands afterwards. Family members must thoroughly wash their hands to stop the illness from spreading.

Symptoms and Causes of Rotavirus

What causes rotavirus?

Rotavirus is a virus that spreads by hand-to-mouth contact. It manifests in a child with the infection a few days before symptoms appear in the child. It can also linger in the bowel motions for up to 10 days after the symptoms have subsided.

What are the symptoms of rotavirus?

Your child can have:

• Vomiting and diarrhoea that is mostly watery might linger for three to eight days.
• Fever (typically exceeding 101 degrees Fahrenheit).
• loss in appetite.

Vomiting and diarrhoea can also cause dehydration in infants and young children. If your kid exhibits signs of dehydration, call your doctor immediately.

• Less frequent urination (fewer wet diapers than usual).
• Cool, dry skin
• Dizziness while standing
• Dry mouth and throat
• Less or no tears when crying
• Lethargy — playing less and sleeping more, or getting cranky for no apparent reason.
• Sunken soft spot on top of the head or sunken eyes.

Why is dehydration serious for babies?

When your kid is dehydrated, he or she lacks the water and salts they need to function correctly. Young infants can easily get dehydrated.

Children who are dehydrated frequently require IV fluids to rehydrate. A youngster may begin convulsing (experiencing abrupt, unpredictable body movements) or enter shock if dehydration becomes severe. It could endanger your life.

How long do rotavirus symptoms last?

Rotavirus symptoms often last three to eight days. The average child is contagious for 12 days in total. This is because an infection might begin several days before symptoms appear.