ROTAVIRUS - CARING FOR KIDS

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ROTAVIRUS
Rotavirus is the most common cause of serious diarrhea in babies and young children. It usually affects children between the ages of 6 and 24 months of age. Without vaccine, almost all children will have at least one episode of rotavirus diarrhea before they turn 5 years old. When older children and adults get rotavirus, they have a milder illness. They have less diarrhea and are less likely to become dehydrated.



WHO IS MORE LIKELY TO GET THIS? 



Anyone can get rotavirus, but it most commonly affects: 
  1. Infants
  2. Young children
  3. Close relatives
  4. Those who work with children, such as nannies or child-care employees 
SYMPTOMS OF ROTAVIRUS 


The first signs are usually fever and vomiting. Within 12 to 24 hours, children start to pass large amounts of watery diarrhea. Severe diarrhea and dehydration are the most common symptoms of rotavirus. Dehydration can happen as soon as 6 hours after the illness starts. The illness usually lasts 5 to 7 days.



Symptoms of rotavirus tend to be most prominent in children. Symptoms can start within two days after being exposed to the rotavirus. The most common symptom of rotavirus is severe diarrhea. Children can also experience: 

  1. vomiting
  2. black or tarry stools
  3. stools with blood or pus in them
  4. severe fatigue
  5. a high fever
  6. irritability
  7. dehydration
  8. abdominal pain

Dehydration is the greatest concern in children. This age group is more vulnerable to a loss of electrolytes through vomiting and diarrhea because of they have smaller body weights. You’ll need to monitor your child carefully for symptoms of dehydration, such as: 
  1. dry mouth
  2. cool skin
  3. lack of tears when crying
  4. reduced urination frequency (or fewer wet diapers in infants)
  5. sunken eyes

ROTAVIRUS DIAGNOSED

Rotavirus is usually diagnosed after a sample of your child's stool (faeces) is sent to the laboratory for testing. However for most children who have a bout of gastroenteritis, it is not necessary to send a stool sample to be tested. This is because the treatment is the same even if you know the cause: drink plenty of water, milk or juice. 

WHEN SHOULD I SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE? 

Most children who have gastroenteritis in the UK (including gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus infection) have mild symptoms which will get better in a few days. The important thing is to ensure that they have plenty to drink. In many cases, you do not need to seek medical advice. However, you should seek medical advice in the following situations (or if there are any other symptoms that you are concerned about): 

  1. · If your child is under the age of 6 months.
  2. · If your child has an underlying medical condition (for example, heart or kidney problems, diabetes, history of premature birth).
  3. · If your child has a high temperature (fever).
  4. · If you suspect a lack of fluid in the body (dehydration) is developing (see earlier).
  5. · If your child appears drowsy or confused.
  6. · If your child is being sick a lot and unable to keep fluids down.
  7. · If there is blood in their diarrhoea or vomit.
  8. · If your child has severe tummy pain.
  9. · If your child has a weakened immune system because of, for example, chemotherapy treatment, long-term steroid treatment or HIV infection.
  10. · Infections caught abroad.
  11. · If your child has severe symptoms, or if you feel that their condition is getting worse.
  12. · If your child's symptoms are not settling - for example, vomiting for more than 1-2 days, or diarrhoea that does not start to settle after 5-7 days.
HOW IS ROTAVIRUS SPREAD? 

When children have rotavirus, their stool contains a large number of the germs. The virus enters the body through the mouth, usually on fingers but sometimes on toys or other objects. The germs spread: 
  1. by touching the hands of someone who has the infection. 
  2. by touching something that has been touched by a person with the infection, such as toys, furniture or countertops. The germs can survive a long time on surfaces. 
Children can spread rotavirus both before and after they develop symptoms. The illness usually starts between 1 and 3 days after someone is exposed to the virus. Children who have been infected once can be infected again. Usually the illness is less severe after the first time. 

HOW CAN I PREVENT ROTAVIRUS? 

  1. Have your baby vaccinated with the rotavirus vaccine. 
  2. Wash your hands and your child’s hands often to help prevent the spread of germs, especially after changing your baby’s diaper. 
  3. If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea, inform the day care and ask how long she should stay at home. 
WHEN TO CALL A DOCTOR 

Check in with your doctor if your child has the following symptoms: 
  1. Lethargy and drinking less fluids 
  2. Frequent vomiting 
  3. Stools that are black or contain blood or pus 
  4. Any temperature in a baby younger than 6 months 
  5. A temperature for more than 24 hours, if your child is older than 6 months 
Dr Subhash Chandra

 |Child Specialist in Gaur City |Best Pediatrician |New Born Child Doctor
  
   http://www.drsubhashchandrachildspecialist.com/
Location: Shop No. 151,1st Floor, City Plaza, Greater Noida W Rd, west, Sector 4, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201009, India

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