Is your little one having a bad stomach ache and vomiting? It could be Rotavirus!

Has your little one suddenly started having a bad stomach ache? Is he also vomiting? Does he have a low fever and a loss of appetite? Then this is something you should be aware of at such times. The cause of this condition may be a contagious virus called Rotavirus . Let's talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.

What is Rotavirus?

Simply put, rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines (gastroenteritis) . It causes severe diarrhea , which is a type of diarrhea that can be severe in young children, and vomiting . It is most common in children during the winter and spring. Do you know how it is spread? You can get this virus by coming into contact with the feces (poo) of someone who has it and then putting it in your mouth.

After your baby is infected with rotavirus, it will take about two to three days for the illness to subside. After that, diarrhea and vomiting may last for about a week . The most important thing to do during this time is to prevent dehydration , which means losing too much water in the body. So, it is important to give your baby plenty of fluids. There is no specific treatment for rotavirus. This infection usually resolves on its own. However, some children may need to be hospitalized for IV fluids .

Who is more likely to get rotavirus?

Rotavirus can affect anyone of any age. However, it is most common in infants under one year of age . However, children are now protected against it with the rotavirus vaccine `(Rotarix®)` or `(RotaTeq®) . If they are vaccinated, the symptoms will not be as severe even if they do get the disease.

In fact, before the introduction of this vaccine, rotavirus was the leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children in countries like the United States. Almost every child under the age of 5 has contracted it. It has led to the hospitalization of between 55,000 and 70,000 children each year.

However, these vaccines have significantly reduced the health status of children and the number of hospitalizations. Studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States show that these vaccines reduce the number of deaths of infants and young children every year.It is estimated that between 40,000 and 50,000 hospitalizations have been prevented.

What are the symptoms of Rotavirus?

The most common symptoms of rotavirus are:

• Severe, watery diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Appetite

Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration , which is a lack of water in the body, in babies and young children. If your baby has these signs of dehydration , you should see a doctor immediately :

• If you are not urinating normally (if you are not wetting your diaper frequently)
• If the skin is dry and cold
• If you feel dizzy when you stand up
• If your mouth and throat are dry
• When you cry, you may have very few or no tears.
• Sleepiness – sleeping more, playing less, or crying more often than usual or acting up
• If the eyes appear sunken, or if the soft spot on the top of the head (the forehead crease) appears sunken

Why is dehydration dangerous for babies?

Dehydration is when your baby's body doesn't have enough water and salts to function properly. Babies under one year old can become dehydrated very easily.

Dehydrated children often need to be given IV fluids to replenish water and salts in their bodies. If dehydration is severe, the child may have seizures (sudden body twitching) or go into shock . This can be life-threatening .

What causes rotavirus? How is it transmitted?

Rotavirus is a virus that is spread through hand-to-mouth contact. It can be present in the stool (poo) of an infected child for several days before symptoms begin. It can also be present in the stool for up to 10 days after symptoms have disappeared.

Imagine that you changed a diaper of a baby with rotavirus. If you don't wash your hands properly afterwards, those virus particles can get into your mouth. So family members need to wash their hands well to prevent the spread of this virus.

Who is at higher risk of contracting rotavirus?

Generally, children who are in daycare centers or other places where many children gather together are at higher risk of developing the disease. Children between the ages of 3 months and 3 years who have not been vaccinated are at the highest risk of developing the disease.

Can adults get rotavirus?

Adults can also get rotavirus, but it is not as severe as in young children. Adults who are at risk of getting rotavirus are:

• People over 65 years of age
• Carers of children with rotavirus
• People with compromised immune systems

How does a doctor diagnose rotavirus?

If your baby has symptoms of rotavirus, see a doctor. Doctors can often tell if they have rotavirus by looking at the symptoms and doing a physical exam. Sometimes, they can also take a stool sample and test it for rotavirus. But this is not always necessary.

If you need to take a stool sample, your doctor will give you a germ-free container. You will need to add some of your baby's stool to it. The lab will test it to see if it contains rotavirus.

Is there a cure for rotavirus?

Rotavirus is caused by a virus, not a bacteria. So antibiotics will not cure your baby . The virus will go away on its own in about a week. The main treatment is to keep your baby hydrated.

Can I treat it at home?

Yes. If you have symptoms of rotavirus, talk to your doctor. He or she may tell you to do these things:

• Instead of feeding your baby large meals at once , feed them small, frequent meals .
• Make sure the baby is getting enough fluids .
• Use an electrolyte replacement solution , such as Pedialyte®. These can help replace salts lost from vomiting and diarrhea. But be sure to follow the directions on the label exactly.
• Give your baby paracetamol (acetaminophen (Tylenol®)) to reduce fever. Do not give aspirin.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after changing diapers and after touching feces.
• Let the baby rest well .
• Keep the baby at home instead of sending him to school/daycare .
• If necessary, see the doctor again.

What happens to a baby if they get rotavirus?

Most children recover from rotavirus without any long-term health problems. Symptoms last about a week.

However, if your baby becomes dehydrated, it can cause serious complications and even death . So if you see symptoms of rotavirus, call a doctor immediately. Your doctor can help you prevent dehydration.

Also, follow your baby's immunization schedule exactly. The rotavirus vaccine is the best way to protect your baby.

Can rotavirus recur?

Yes, children can get re-infected. However, a second infection is usually not as severe .

How long does rotavirus last? When can my child go back to school/daycare?

Rotavirus symptoms are usuallyIt lasts from three to eight days. Most children are contagious for about 12 days in total. This is because the infection begins several days before symptoms appear.

Your school or daycare will tell you how long to keep your child home. Generally, they should be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to their setting.

How to protect yourself from Rotavirus?

The best way to protect yourself and your family from rotavirus is to get one of the rotavirus vaccines .

About 70% of children who get the vaccine do not get rotavirus . Even if they do, the symptoms are much milder. In other words, 90% of children who get the vaccine are either protected from severe rotavirus disease or prevented from getting the disease altogether .

Talk to your doctor about which rotavirus vaccine to give your baby. This vaccine is not given as an injection. Instead, your doctor will give you drops that you put in your baby's mouth over several sessions, depending on your baby's age. The options and schedules are:

• `RotaTeq®` : This is given in three doses – at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months.
• `Rotarix®` : This is given in two doses – at 2 months and 4 months.

Is the Rotavirus vaccine safe?

Scientists have tested both of these rotavirus vaccines on thousands of babies. They consider both vaccines safe and effective . Most children are protected from getting rotavirus. Even if they do get the virus, the illness will not be as severe if they have been vaccinated.

Side effects from the vaccine are very rare . Your baby may experience temporary side effects such as stomach upset or vomiting, but these usually go away on their own. If your baby has any other health conditions, talk to your doctor about the vaccination schedule.

What else can you do to protect yourself?

Vaccination is your best defense against this disease. It's also important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds:

• After going to the toilet.
• After changing a diaper, or after helping a child go to the toilet.
• Before cooking.

When should you take your baby to a doctor?

Call your doctor if you notice your baby vomiting or having an increased amount of diarrhea. Also, call your doctor if you notice any signs of dehydration that could be caused by vomiting or diarrhea:

• If you don't urinate for more than eight hours .
• If the skin is pale.
• If your lips are dry.
• If your eyes seem sunken.

Remember, children can become dehydrated very quickly.This can cause serious complications and even death. So if you notice any signs of dehydration, call a doctor immediately.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

If your baby has rotavirus, ask your doctor about these things:

About medicine:

• What over-the-counter medications do you recommend to reduce fever? Are there any that you should avoid?
• How long should I give my baby medicine?
• What is the best time to give medication?
• How should I store my medicine?

About food, drink and follow-up:

• What symptoms should you pay attention to immediately?
• Are there any foods or drinks that are more helpful? Are there any that are not good for babies?
• Should I take my baby out of school/daycare and keep him at home?
• Are there any activities that the baby should not do?
• When will the baby get better?
• When should I bring the baby in for another checkup?

What is the difference between Rotavirus and Norovirus?

Rotavirus and norovirus are both gastrointestinal infections that cause inflammation of your stomach and intestines. But they are two different illnesses caused by two different types of viruses. Rotavirus is most common in children , but norovirus can affect anyone of any age. Norovirus symptoms usually go away quickly, usually within one to three days. Rotavirus can last for three to eight days. Additionally, there is a vaccine to protect against rotavirus, but there is no vaccine for norovirus yet .

Take-Home Message

If your baby has a severe stomachache and is vomiting, it could be due to a common infection called rotavirus, which is common in young children. Don't panic and seek medical advice from a doctor. They will likely recommend giving your baby plenty of fluids, rest, and fever-reducing medication . But you have to wait for the virus to go away on its own – there is no specific treatment for rotavirus. If there is a risk of dehydration, your doctor may recommend taking your baby to the hospital and giving him fluids through an IV. But most children recover from rotavirus without any long-term health problems . The most important thing is to get your baby vaccinated against rotavirus on time . That's the best protection!

` Rotavirus, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, childhood diseases, vaccination, infectious diseases