VPMD: Rotavirus

What is Rotavirus?

Rotavirus causes severe gastroenteritis (stomach flu), most commonly affecting young children and infants. Those infected are often hospitalized as a result of the severity of the dehydration resulting from this infection. The virus is shed in the infected person’s stool and spread from person to person through contaminated objects or directly by getting virus introduced through the mouth (fecal- oral route).

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of rotavirus associated gastroenteritis include fever, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and profuse watery diarrhea. It is from the profuse watery diarrhea that dehydration ensues and the nausea and vomiting make it difficult to keep up with the fluid and electrolyte losses. Complications of severe gastroenteritis include hypovolemic/septic shock, seizures, kidney injury, other organ failure and death.

How is Rotavirus treated?

As there is no antiviral specific for targeting the virus, the cornerstone of care is supportive and relies heavily on fluid and electrolyte replacement generally undertaken in a hospital setting.

How is Rotavirus prevented?

Currently there are two vaccines available in the US to protect against severe diseae caused by Rotavirus, Rotarix (2 doses) and Rotateq (3 doses). These are live oral vaccinations that are given within the first 6 months of life. Since its introduction in the early 2000s, the incidence of death from Rotavirus has decreased considerably. Due to genetic variability of the virus, patients may be infected more than once and those vaccinated can still be infected but the disease should be milder due to priming of the immune system.

Sources: WHO, CDC