rotavirus
-
What is rotavirus?
Rotavirus refers to a group of viruses in the family Reoviridae and is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children globally. The name rotavirus comes from the Latin word "rota" (wheel) because of the virus's wheel-like appearance under a microscope. These viruses infect cells lining the intestines, leading to acute gastroenteritis, including infantile and winter diarrhea.
Nearly all children are infected with rotavirus by age five. Symptoms, which appear one to three days after infection, include vomiting, watery diarrhea, and fever, lasting four to eight days. Transmission typically occurs through food contaminated by feces from an infected person. Although there is no cure, adequate fluid intake is crucial. Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure. Since the introduction of rotavirus vaccines, hospitalization rates for rotavirus infections have decreased by as much as 90 percent in countries with widespread vaccination.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How does rotavirus affect people, especially children?
Rotavirus is a group of viruses and the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children worldwide. Nearly all children are infected with rotavirus by age five.
Rotavirus grows in the cells lining the intestines, causing acute gastroenteritis, such as infantile diarrhea and winter diarrhea. Transmission typically occurs when food is contaminated by feces from an infected person.
Symptoms, which appear one to three days after infection, include vomiting, watery diarrhea, and fever lasting four to eight days. Dehydration is a danger due to fluid loss from severe diarrhea. Treatment focuses on ensuring an adequate supply of fluids.
Vaccination is the most effective prevention method. Since rotavirus vaccines were introduced, hospitalization rates for rotavirus infections have decreased by as much as 90 percent in countries with widespread vaccination.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What are the main symptoms of a rotavirus infection?
Rotavirus is a common virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, especially in children. Symptoms, which appear one to three days after infection, include vomiting, frequent watery diarrhea, and fever lasting four to eight days. High fever is more common in children with rotavirus than in other forms of gastroenteritis. Severe diarrhea can cause dehydration, weakness, listlessness, and poor appetite. While there is no cure, maintaining fluid intake is critical. Breast-fed infants may gain some immunity if the mother's milk contains antibodies. Vaccination is the most effective prevention method. Since the introduction of rotavirus vaccines, hospitalization rates for rotavirus infections have decreased significantly in countries with widespread vaccination.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How is rotavirus spread from one person to another?
Rotavirus spreads when food is contaminated by the feces of someone infected. Outbreaks often occur when infected food handlers contaminate uncooked foods like salads, sandwiches, and fruits. Usual sanitary measures, such as cooking and antimicrobial cleaners, often fail to control rotavirus contamination. Rotaviruses can infect domestic and wild animals, providing further opportunities for spreading infection.
Vaccination is the most effective form of prevention. The introduction of rotavirus vaccines has greatly decreased hospitalization rates for rotavirus infections.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How can rotavirus infections be prevented?
Rotavirus, a common cause of severe diarrhea in children, is transmitted through food contaminated by feces from an infected person. Though usual sanitary measures may fail, vaccination is the most effective prevention. Oral rotavirus vaccines are safe and highly effective. Since the introduction of rotavirus vaccines, hospitalization rates for rotavirus infections have decreased significantly. Breast-fed infants may gain some immunity if the mother’s milk contains antibodies against rotavirus.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What treatments and vaccines are available for rotavirus?
Rotavirus, a leading cause of severe diarrhea in children, has no cure, but managing symptoms is crucial. The primary concern is combating dehydration through an adequate supply of fluids.
Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure. While an initial vaccine introduced in 1998 was withdrawn due to safety concerns, safer options like RotaTeq and Rotarix were approved in 2006 and 2008, respectively. These vaccines have significantly reduced hospitalization rates for rotavirus infections by as much as 90% in countries with widespread vaccination. Breast-fed infants may gain some immunity if the mother’s milk contains antibodies against rotavirus.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
rotavirus, any of a group of viruses in the family Reoviridae that are known as the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children worldwide. Rotaviruses grow in the cells lining the intestines, where they give rise to acute gastroenteritis, particularly conditions known as infantile diarrhea and winter diarrhea. The Latin word rota means “wheel,” and thus rotaviruses are named for their wheel-like appearance, which is apparent under a microscope. They are further characterized structurally as nonenveloped double-stranded RNA viruses.
By age five, nearly all children have experienced rotavirus infection. Infection generally does not cause severe illness, though some children require hospitalization, typically owing to dehydration. Because individuals do not gain natural immunity after infection, they can be infected again, sometimes within the same season. However, the first episode is generally the worst.
In countries with a temperate climate, such as the United States, acute gastroenteritis due to rotavirus is most frequent during the cooler months: major outbreaks occur between December and June. In tropical areas, infection occurs year-round. The peak age of risk runs from six months to two years. Groups at increased risk of rotavirus infection include premature infants, the elderly, and any individuals with a weakened immune system. Infant nurseries, day care centres, and nursing homes are common sites of outbreaks.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
Rotaviruses are typically transmitted when food is contaminated by feces from an infected person. Many outbreaks probably develop when infected food handlers contaminate foods that required no further cooking, such as salads, sandwiches, and fruits. The usual sanitary measures that prevent infection by bacteria or parasites, such as cooking and use of antimicrobial cleaners, often fail to control rotavirus contamination. Rotaviruses can infect domestic and wild animals, providing further opportunities for spreading infection.
Symptoms of rotavirus infection usually develop after an incubation period of one to three days. They include vomiting, frequent bouts of watery diarrhea, and fever, which can last from four to eight days. In children, high fever is more frequent with rotavirus infection than with other forms of gastroenteritis. Because of the tremendous loss of fluids due to the severe diarrhea, dehydration is a danger. During the time they are ill, most children tend to feel weak and listless and have poor appetites. They may continue to vomit if they do eat, which exacerbates dehydration.
Diagnostic testing can identify rotavirus in a patient’s stool. During an outbreak, however, it can be assumed that any child who suddenly develops severe watery diarrhea is infected. There is no cure for rotavirus infection, but getting an adequate supply of fluids is crucial for recovery. Most children recuperate completely, but if diarrhea is very severe and the fluid and minerals lost from the body are not replaced, death may result. Some individuals never develop symptoms, though they can spread infection.
Infants who are breast-fed may gain some immunity if the mother’s milk contains antibodies against rotavirus. If such infants are subsequently exposed to rotavirus, these antibodies can destroy the virus before it has a chance to grow in large numbers and cause diarrhea. Vaccination against rotavirus is the most effective form of prevention. Rotavirus vaccine can be given orally and is safe and highly effective.
The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.
SUBSCRIBE
