Learn what rotavirus is, how it spreads, and how to prevent it.
Source: Network One
Santa Cruz Children’s Hospital has reported two positive cases of rotavirus, a situation that has alarmed parents because the infection is the most common cause of diarrhea in children under five.
Learn about the symptoms and how to prevent the disease.
Rotavirus is a virus that causes gastroenteritis. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, dehydration and, in severe cases, death.
The best form of prevention is vaccination against rotavirus at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, which can help reduce the incidence of acute diarrhea.
Epidemiologist Virgilio Prieto told Red Uno: “Vaccination has become much less frequent, and the less often it is done, the consequences can be severe and even lead to death.”
Children under the age of five are the group most at risk of becoming ill, developing serious illness and dying. Virtually every child under the age of five has been infected with rotavirus at least once, with the first infection usually occurring before the age of three.
“The most serious complications of rotavirus infection are intussusception, where one part of the intestine can enter another part of the intestine, like a telescope, and sometimes rectal prolapse, where the rectum exits through the anus,” the doctor explained.
Direct fecal-oral contact is considered the most important mode of transmission. The virus is highly contagious and remarkably stable in the environment: it can survive for hours on hands and even days on solid surfaces, and remains stable and infectious for up to a week in human feces.
Transmission among children in day care centers occurs through direct contact and through contaminated food or toys.
“It is transmitted via the fecal-oral route. If a person touches an infected diaper, does not wash their hands, does not put their hands to their mouth, or does not eat; this is the most common form of transmission. Infections from contaminated water) are rare,” the expert added.
Rotavirus disease is characterized by vomiting and watery diarrhea that lasts 3 to 8 days. It is also often accompanied by fever and abdominal pain. Other symptoms include loss of appetite and dehydration, manifested by decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up, crying with little or no tears, and unusual drowsiness or irritation.
A child may be infected with rotavirus multiple times, but the first infection is usually the most severe as the immune system is activated and strengthened.
Infection can be prevented by vaccination, but once infected with the virus, there is no specific drug to treat it. The key to disease relief is continued hydration. Serum and electrolyte replacement is required if fluid loss is severe (acute diarrhea or persistent vomiting).
With babies, many times they cannot tolerate fluids, which is why they need to be hospitalized for rehydration.