Rotavirus (cont.)
How is rotavirus spread?
Rotavirus infection is highly contagious. The primary
mode of transmission of
rotavirus is the passage of the virus in stool to the mouth of
another child. This is known as a fecal-oral route of transmission. Children can
transmit the virus when they forget to wash their hands before eating or after using the toilet. Touching a surface that has been contaminated with rotavirus
and then touching the mouth area can result in infection.
There also have been
cases of low levels of rotavirus in respiratory-tract secretions and other body
fluids. Because the virus is stable (remains infective) in the environment,
transmission can occur through ingestion of contaminated water or food and
contact with contaminated surfaces. Rotavirus can survive for days on hard and
dry surfaces, and it can live for hours on human hands.
How is rotavirus diagnosed?
The diagnosis may be made by rapid detection of
rotavirus in stool specimens. Strains of rotavirus may be further characterized
by special testing with enzyme
immunoassay or polymerase chain reaction, but such testing is not commonly
available or necessary.
How is rotavirus treated?
There is no specific treatment for rotavirus. For
people with healthy immune systems, rotavirus infection of the bowel
(gastroenteritis) is a self-limited illness, lasting for only a few days. The
treatment consists of increased fluid intake (oral rehydration) to prevent dehydration. About one in 40 children with
rotavirus infection of the bowel requires hospitalization for intravenous fluid.
What is the outcome (prognosis) of rotavirus infection?
Rotavirus infection is a
self-limited disease that resolves after three to nine days of symptoms. In rare
cases, severe dehydration accompanying rotavirus infection has led to death.
Recognition of the condition and proper supportive treatment (rehydration) can
prevent serious complications.
Next: Can rotavirus infection be prevented? »
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