Rotavirus infection

Rotavirus is a virus that infects the intestinal tract. You can get rotavirus more than once, but the first infection is usually the worst. This infection causes stomach upset and diarrhea.

Babies and very young children who have rotavirus infections need to be watched closely, because they can become dehydrated very quickly. Dehydration occurs when the body loses water more quickly than it is replaced. When your child becomes dehydrated, severe health problems can arise.

Rotavirus infections spread easily. Outbreaks usually occur in the winter and early spring. Rotavirus infections often spread in settings where many children are together, such as day care centers.

Keep your child at home while he or she is sick and for a few days after they feel better. That's when the virus most likely can be spread to others. The virus can remain in your child's stool for weeks after the symptoms are gone.

It takes about 1 to 3 days for a child who is exposed to the virus to start having symptoms.

Vomiting is often the first symptom. Usually, a fever and diarrhea follow. Most children with rotavirus have very watery diarrhea that seems like a large amount for a baby or small child. The most severe diarrhea lasts 3 to 8 days. But episodes of diarrhea can last long after your child starts feeling better. In some children, diarrhea can last for a few weeks.

Diarrhea, especially when it occurs along with vomiting, can quickly lead to dehydration in babies and young children who have rotavirus. For this reason, it is important to keep feeding your child and to watch him or her closely for signs of dehydration.

Your doctor will probably diagnose your child with rotavirus infection based on his or her symptoms. The time of year also is an important clue. If your child has diarrhea and other symptoms during the winter or early spring (about November through April), your doctor will often suspect rotavirus as the cause.

A test of stool can be done to confirm a diagnosis. This kind of test is not needed unless your child has other health conditions that make it important to know the exact cause of symptoms.

It is most important to help keep your child comfortable and prevent dehydration.

Hold your child as much as he or she wants. Keep your child in comfortable clothes, and change his or her diaper or underpants as needed. Your child may get a diaper rash. To treat diaper rash, you may need to use warm washcloths to wipe your child's bottom and creams to help prevent soreness. In some cases, you may want to hold your baby and rinse his or her bottom in running bath water to clean the area well.

Don't give your child any over-the-counter medicines unless you've checked with the doctor first.

Your doctor may recommend a rehydration drink such as Pedialyte. This may be especially helpful if your child's diarrhea lasts longer than a few days. Rehydration drinks help replace fluids and electrolytes. Plain water doesn't provide necessary nutrients or electrolytes and may not be absorbed when your child has diarrhea.

Do not give your baby or young child rehydration drinks for adults or sports drinks, such as Gatorade. These drinks do not have the proper balance of nutrients and electrolytes for small children.

Your doctor may suggest probiotics for your child. They are bacteria that help keep the natural balance of organisms (microflora) in the intestines.

• Watch for and treat signs of dehydration, which means the body has lost too much water. Your child's mouth may feel very dry. He or she may have sunken eyes with few tears when crying. Your child may lack energy and want to be held a lot. He or she may not urinate as often as usual.
• Give your child oral rehydration solution, such as Pedialyte or Infalyte, to replace fluid lost from diarrhea. These drinks contain the right mix of salt, sugar, and minerals to help correct dehydration. You can buy them at drugstores or grocery stores in the baby care section. Give these drinks to your child as long as he or she has diarrhea. Do not use these drinks as the only source of liquids or food for more than 12 to 24 hours.
• Do not give your child apple juice, chicken broth, soda pop, sports drinks (such as Gatorade, All Sport, or Powerade), ginger ale, or tea. These drinks do not contain the right mixture of minerals and sugar to replace lost fluids. They may make the diarrhea worse.
• Be safe with medicines. Do not give your child over-the-counter antidiarrhea or upset-stomach medicines without talking to your doctor first. Do not give bismuth (Pepto-Bismol) or other medicines that contain salicylates, a form of aspirin, or aspirin. Aspirin has been linked to Reye syndrome, a serious illness.
• Wash your hands after you change diapers and before you touch food. Have your child wash his or her hands after using the toilet and before eating. The virus can remain in your child's stool for weeks after the symptoms are gone.
• Make sure that your child rests. Keep your child at home as long as he or she has a fever.
• Keep your child at home while he or she is sick and for a few days after feeling better. That's when the virus most likely can be spread to others.