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Rotavirus

• Rotavirus infection is a viral infection of the digestive tract. It is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children in the United States.
• Rotavirus is easily spread by hand-to-mouth contact with stool from an infected person.
• Most children with rotavirus diarrhea recover on their own. Some children become very ill with severe vomiting, diarrhea, and life-threatening loss of fluids that requires hospitalization.
• In 1998, a rotavirus vaccine was approved for use in children. However, the vaccine is no longer recommended for use in the United States because of data that indicated a strong association between the vaccine and bowel obstruction in some infants during the first 1-2 weeks after vaccination.

What is rotavirus?

Rotavirus infection is an infection of the digestive tract. It is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children in the United States.

Infection is caused by group A rotaviruses, which are wheel-shaped viruses.

Rotavirus occurs worldwide. Rotaviruses infect the intestine and are passed in the stool of infected persons.

Rotavirus spreads very easily. The virus is transmitted by hand-to-mouth contact with stool from an infected person. The virus can be passed from one person to another by touching a hand contaminated by the virus. The virus can also be transmitted by merely touching a surface or object that has been contaminated by an infected person. The virus then enters the body through contact with the mouth. Children can spread rotavirus both before and after they develop symptoms.

Rotavirus infection usually starts with fever and vomiting, followed by diarrhea. The diarrhea can be mild to severe and generally lasts 3-9 days.

Illness usually begins 3 days after exposure.

Most children with rotavirus diarrhea recover on their own, but some children become very ill with severe vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of fluids (dehydration). Children with severe diarrhea can lose body fluids very quickly and may need to be hospitalized for special therapy to replace fluids and restore chemical balance. The seriousness of infection generally decreases with the number of infections. First infections tend to be the most severe.

Infection is diagnosed by a laboratory test on a stool sample.

Every child is likely to be infected with rotavirus at least once in the first 5 years of life. Severe diarrhea and dehydration occur mainly in children aged 3 to 35 months. Children who have been infected once can become infected again.

Older children and adults can also get rotavirus infection. Young children can pass the virus to their older brothers and sisters. In adults in the United States, rotavirus infections sometimes cause diarrhea in travelers, persons caring for children with rotavirus diarrhea, and the elderly.

Viral infections are not treatable with antibiotics. The most effective therapy is to encourage sick children to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children in the United States. Each year in the United States, rotavirus is responsible for approximately 500,000 doctor visits and 50,000 hospitalizations. Severe diarrhea and dehydration occur mainly in children 3 months to 35 months of age. It is a seasonal disease in the United States, with most of the disease occurring in the winter and spring. About 20 children die from rotavirus diarrhea each year in the United States. Worldwide, rotavirus causes 1 million deaths yearly.

In 1998, an oral rotavirus vaccine was approved for use in children in the United States. However, the vaccine is no longer recommended for use in the United States because of data that indicated a strong association between the vaccine and a rare type of bowel obstruction (intussusception) in some infants during the first 1-2 weeks after vaccination.

Other than vaccination, there is no effective way to completely eliminate rotavirus infection or its spread. Washing with soaps or cleansers does not kill the virus but will help reduce the spread of infection. To prevent the spread of all diarrheal diseases, it is important to maintain strict hygienic practices at home and in day-care centers. Wash hands after using the toilet, after helping a child use the toilet, after diapering a child, and before preparing or serving food.

This fact sheet is for information only and is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health-care provider. If you have questions about the disease described above, consult a health-care provider.

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