When your child has diarrhea and watery stools for no apparent reason, what’s wrong with your child?
Rotavirus is a major cause of severe diarrhea in children, especially in young children under 5 years old.
How is rotavirus transmitted?
The infection occurs by direct contact with the mouth with the rotavirus. The virus may be contaminated on hands, objects, utensils or toys, as well as food and water. The virus can be spread through feces from 2 days before the onset of symptoms until the symptoms have disappeared for 10 days. Some people may be able to spread the virus for months because the virus can survive on hands and the environment for a long time.
This virus is found all over the world and spreads easily, เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา especially in places where large numbers of children gather, such as kindergartens or daycares.
Symptoms of the disease
After being infected with rotavirus, symptoms of illness appear within 2 days with varying severity. Most cases are preceded by vomiting, followed by watery stools. Symptoms last 3-7 days. About one-third of patients develop a high fever and lose fluids and electrolytes, leading to dehydration.
How do you know if your child has rotavirus infection?
The symptoms and stool characteristics of rotavirus diarrhea are not specific and cannot be distinguished from other infections that cause diarrhea. Laboratory stool testing for rotavirus is required.
How is this disease treated?
There is currently no specific treatment for rotavirus. Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. If symptoms are not severe, you can eat, drink mineral water, and take anti-vomiting and antipyretic drugs.
Antibiotics are not necessary because they cannot kill viruses and may lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria. In cases of high fever, severe vomiting, inability to eat, fatigue, or lethargy, see a doctor immediately. Patients with severe dehydration need to be admitted to the hospital for intravenous fluid replacement.
How can we protect our children from rotavirus?
Since rotavirus is transmitted through direct or indirect contact with contaminated hands, objects, and food that enters the mouth, hands should be washed with soap and water, especially before eating and after defecating or changing diapers, toys should be cleaned, eating utensils should be avoided, and children should be avoided in crowded places where people play together. In addition, breastfeeding may help reduce the severity of rotavirus diarrhea.
Rotavirus vaccine
Rotavirus vaccine is an oral vaccine that is given 2-3 times depending on the type of vaccine. It is recommended:
- If it is a 2-dose type, it should be given at 2 and 4 months of age.
- If it is the 3-time type, it should be given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age.
It can be given together with age-appropriate vaccines and is approximately 80-90% effective in preventing severe rotavirus infection. The vaccine is very safe. Children who have been fully vaccinated against rotavirus can still develop diarrhea from rotavirus infection, but the symptoms are usually not severe.