Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants. Most cases of diarrhea due to rotavirus heal itself, but there are severe forms of the disease when the child has a high fever, dehydrates quickly, and his life is jeopardized. In severe cases, hospitalization is absolutely necessary. In this article, we will talk about Rotavirus infection symptoms, complication, treatments, and prevention tips.
How is rotavirus infection transmitted?
Rotavirus is a virus that can be transmitted easily from one person to another. The virus is present in the infected child’s stool a few days before the symptoms appear and up to 10 days after they have disappeared. Rotavirus can be transmitted through hands, toys, surfaces, food or contaminated water.
If your child has rotavirus and you did not wash your hands after you changed his diaper or helped him go to the toilet, the virus can contaminate whatever you touch including food, toys, or other objects.
Symptoms of Rotavirus infection
- Diarrhea may range from mild to lethal forms, to people with low immunity.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- One-third of patients experience fever symptoms.
- Diarrhea lasts between three and eight days (minimum: two days, maximum: 23 days), but can be prolonged in children with low immunity.
Possible Complications
- Severe dehydration.
- Collapse.
- Metabolic disturbances.
- Dyselectrolytemia.
- Febrile seizures.
- Cardio-circulatory or renal insufficiency like complications that may eventually lead to death.
Treatment
There is no drug to treat rotavirus infection, and antibiotics are not going to offer any help, either.
The main concern is to prevent dehydration. That means giving your baby a lot of liquids.
If the child has severe diarrhea that lasts for several days, the pediatrician will recommend a solution for oral rehydration that will replace the mineral loss.
A proper diet will reduce healing time. It includes cooked rice, fresh cheese, raspberry apples, and vegetable soup of sliced vegetables. Crude vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and fries are excluded.
Prevention Tips
Keep Rigorous Hygiene
Wash your hands every time after using the toilet. This becomes very important every time you change your baby’s diaper or help him with the toilet. Dispose of dirty diapers with care. If you are using a potty seat, then do not forget to disinfect it after every use.
Use of Detergent/Disinfectant
It is very important to disinfect your baby’s toys or any other thing that can be infected and comes in his direct contact. It can be your floor, as well. You can use detergent or disinfectants for the purpose.