Does your little one have a constant stomachache? Let's learn about Rotavirus!

As a mother, how scared are you when your little one suddenly starts vomiting and then starts passing watery stools? These symptoms are often caused by a very common and highly contagious virus among young children. Today, we are talking about Rotavirus. If you are well-informed about this, you can face this situation without fear.

Simply put, what is Rotavirus?

Rotavirus is a virus that causes diarrhea and other intestinal symptoms. It spreads very quickly from person to person. It is the leading cause of diarrhea, especially among infants and young children .

When this virus enters our bodies, it causes inflammation, or inflammation, in the stomach and intestines. This can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps. If this condition becomes severe, it can lead to dehydration . This can be a bit dangerous for young children.

The difference between Rotavirus and Norovirus

Both of these viruses cause vomiting and diarrhea, so they can sometimes be confused.

• Rotavirus: Mainly affects young children. Symptoms can last for about 8 days. Fortunately, there is a vaccine for this.
• Norovirus: Can affect people of any age. Symptoms usually subside within 1-3 days. There is no vaccine yet.

What are the symptoms? When should I see a doctor?

Symptoms begin to appear about two days after contracting the virus. They usually start as follows:

1. Fever, vomiting, and stomach ache: These three symptoms start first and then subside over time.

2. Diarrhea: Diarrhea begins after the three symptoms mentioned above have subsided. This can last for about 5 to 8 days.

With these symptoms, the child may have a reluctance to eat or drink, which puts them at high risk of dehydration . This can be life-threatening. So be very careful about the following symptoms.

If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

• If the child is excessively sleepy or lethargic .
• If you vomit frequently .
• If you are reluctant to drink liquids.
• If the child's stool is black or has blood or pus mixed in .
• If a baby under 6 months old has any level of fever .
• If a child over 6 months old has a high fever for more than 24 hours.

In such a situation, it is best to take the child to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

How is this virus transmitted?

A child infected with rotavirus has this virus in their stool. The virus is shed in their stool from the time symptoms start until 10 days after symptoms disappear. Imagine that a child has gone to the toilet and hasn't washed their hands properly. Then, the virus can be spread to anything that they touch with their hands.

• Toys, colored boxes
• Tables, chairs, door locks
• Food dishes, water bottles
• Things like iPads and remote controls that other people use

If you touch something like this that is contaminated with the virus and then put it in your mouth, you will get sick. That's why cleanliness is very important . This virus does not disappear just by washing your hands with soap. You have to use disinfectants. This virus can survive in the external environment for weeks.

How is it treated?

As I said before, there is no specific cure for rotavirus. Antibiotics have no effect on it , because it is not a bacterium, but a virus.

There are two main things that are done as treatment:

1. Prevent dehydration: This is the most important thing. Due to constant vomiting and diarrhea, a large amount of water and salts are lost from the body. This loss needs to be replenished.

• The best thing to do is to give Jeevani (ORS - Oral Rehydration Solution) . Get this from the pharmacy, prepare it as directed on the packet, and give it to your child little by little.
• Give fluids like water, porridge, and soup.
• Avoid giving sugary drinks (sweetened beverages), apple juice, milk, and cheese, as these can worsen diarrhea.

2. Symptom control: If there is a fever, give a medicine like Paracetamol as prescribed by the doctor in the prescribed dosage. Do not give any medicine for vomiting or diarrhea without consulting a doctor.

For food, offer small amounts of light, non-oily foods like rice and crackers.

The best way to protect yourself from this: Rotavirus Vaccine

While things like washing hands thoroughly and disinfecting can provide some protection, they cannot be 100% guaranteed.

This vaccine completely prevents 70%-80% of children from developing the disease. Even if the vaccine does cause the disease, it is very mild.

Although this is a vaccine, it is not injected with a needle. It is simply a few drops of liquid placed in the child's mouth. It is given according to the Sri Lankan government vaccination schedule.

• Types of vaccines: There are two types: RotaTeq and Rotarix.
• When to give: This vaccine is usually given to children between the ages of 2 and 4 months . Check your child's vaccination record for details.

This vaccine is very safe. Some babies may experience mild side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea, but these usually resolve within a day or two. Very rarely, a condition called ``Intussusception'' has been reported. However, this is very rare. Therefore, do not skip the vaccine. Your doctor will explain this to you in more detail.

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