Rotavirus Infection: Symptoms & Signs

Medically Reviewed on 9/10/2019

Rotavirus infection is a common cause of gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). It usually affects young children but can also affect adults. Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the U.S. A vaccine is available to prevent rotavirus infection.

Signs and symptoms of rotavirus infection include fever, chills, vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, and loss of appetite. The associated symptoms can lead to severe dehydration. Symptoms typically go away after 3 to 9 days. Adults tend to have milder symptoms than affected children.

Causes of rotavirus infection

There are several strains of rotavirus that cause this highly contagious infection. Because there are several viral strains, it is possible to develop the condition more than once.

Other rotavirus infection symptoms and signs

References
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.