Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach and small and large intestines. It can be caused by the rotavirus.
Rotavirus is very contagious and spreads from person to person.
Typically, people have watery diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes fever.
The diagnosis is based on a person’s history of recent contact with a contaminated object, person, food, or water and sometimes with laboratory tests.
Fluids are usually the only treatment needed, but some people may be given medications to help stop diarrhea.
Vaccination and thoroughly washing the hands after a bowel movement or contact with fecal matter and avoidance of undercooked foods and contaminated water are the best ways to prevent infection.
Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhea among young children worldwide. Its incidence in the United States has decreased by 80% since rotavirus vaccines were added to the routine vaccination schedule.
Rotavirus usually affects young children between the ages of 3 months and 15 months. It is highly contagious. Most infections are spread by fecal-oral transmission. Fecal-oral transmission is contact with infected stool. For example, if people touch their mouth after touching an object (such as a diaper or toy) contaminated by infected stool, they can get sick. Adults may be infected after close contact with an infected infant, but the illness is generally mild.
In temperate climates, most infections occur in the winter and spring. In the United States before rotavirus vaccines became available, a wave of rotavirus illness would begin in the Southwest in December and end in the Northeast in April or May. Now, the illness occurs less predictably and can occur year round.
(See also Overview of Gastroenteritis and also Rotavirus Infection in children.)
Symptoms of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis
Rotavirus typically causes diarrhea that is watery and does not have blood in it. Vomiting occurs in most people, and some have fever. Symptoms begin 1 to 3 days after infection. Rotavirus may last 5 to 7 days in infants and young children.
In children, diarrhea is more likely to cause severe dehydration and even death.
In adults the symptoms of rotavirus gastroenteritis are usually mild.
Diagnosis of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis
A doctor's evaluation
Sometimes stool tests
The diagnosis of rotavirus is usually based on typical symptoms, especially if an outbreak is currently ongoing. Sometimes other family members or coworkers have recently been ill with similar symptoms. Other times, rotavirus can be traced to contaminated water or inadequately cooked, spoiled, or contaminated food.
To confirm the diagnosis of rotavirus, doctors sometimes test stool specimens.
Treatment of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis
Fluids and rehydration solutions
Sometimes medications
Rehydration
Usually the only treatment needed for rotavirus gastroenteritis is getting bed rest and drinking an adequate amount of fluids. Even a person who is vomiting should drink as much as can be tolerated, taking small frequent sips.
If vomiting or diarrhea is prolonged or the person becomes severely dehydrated, fluids and electrolytes given by vein (intravenously) may be needed. Because children can become dehydrated more quickly, they should be given fluids with the appropriate mix of salts and sugars. Any of the commercially available solutions designed to replace lost fluids and electrolytes (called oral rehydration solutionsbreastfeeding should continue.
As the symptoms subside, the person may gradually add foods to the diet. Although often recommended, there is no need to limit the diet to bland foods such as cereal, gelatin, bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. However, some people are unable to tolerate milk products for a few days after having diarrhea.
Medications
Antibiotics and antiviral medications are not given.
Prevention of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis
Handwashing
Avoiding high-risk foods and beverages
Vaccination
Good hygiene practices are important at all times, not just when there is an outbreak of gastroenteritis.
Because most rotavirus infections are transmitted by person-to-person contact, particularly through direct or indirect contact with infected stool, good handwashing with soap and water after a bowel movement is the most effective means of prevention. If soap and clean water are unavailable, an antibacterial hand sanitizer should be used.
To prevent foodborne infections, hands should be washed before touching food, knives and cutting boards used to cut raw meat should be washed before use with any other food, meat and eggs should be cooked thoroughly, and leftovers should be refrigerated promptly after cooking. Only pasteurized dairy products and pasteurized apple juice should be used.
Travelers should try to avoid high-risk foods and beverages, such as those sold by street vendors.
To prevent recreational water illness, people should not swim if they have diarrhea. Infants and toddlers should have frequent diaper checks and should be changed in a bathroom and not near the water. Swimmers should avoid swallowing water while swimming.
For children, caregivers should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing bottles for formula-fed infants. They should also wash their hands after changing diapers. Diaper-changing areas should be disinfected with a freshly prepared solution of household bleach (¼ cup bleach diluted in 1 gallon of water).
Children with diarrhea should not go to a day care center until their symptoms are gone.
Did You Know...
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Two vaccines to prevent rotavirus are available. Rotavirus vaccine is one of the routinely recommended infant vaccines. Depending on the vaccine used, two or three doses of the vaccine are given by mouth at ages 2 months and 4 months or at ages 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months.
