Rotavirus is a viral infection of the small intestine that causes diarrhea and vomiting. It is sometimes referred to as a childhood disease because it is common and symptoms are more severe in children. However, it can affect people of all ages.

Rotavirus is the main cause of severe diarrhea in babies and young children in the United States and the world. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 80 percent of children worldwide are infected before the age of 2 and virtually every child will be infected before they reach age 5. The incidence of rotavirus is similar in both developed and developing countries.

However, outcomes of the disease are very different depending on the income level of the child’s country and the child’s nutritional status and access to quality medical care. For children in the United States and other developed countries, rotavirus is not usually a life-threatening illness. Infants, small children, the elderly and others with weakened immune systems are more prone to severe vomiting and diarrhea as well as the life-threatening complication of dehydration.

For children in developing countries (who have limited access to medical care) rotavirus is a leading cause of death due to complications from dehydration and malnutrition.

People are usually infected by unknowingly touching a surface contaminated with infected feces and then touching their mouth. Less commonly, the virus can be ingested through contaminated water or uncooked food. The virus is shed from the body primarily through the feces, although it is also found in other bodily fluids. Infected individuals are contagious for about a week before symptoms develop and for up to eight weeks after symptoms disappear.

Symptoms ranging from mild to severe generally progress from a low-grade fever to vomiting and watery diarrhea. In severe cases, complications such as dehydration may develop.

Rotavirus is diagnosed by a physician based on a physical examination and description of symptoms. A fecal test may also be performed, although most cases of rotavirus are diagnosed by its characteristic symptoms alone.

Since the condition usually resolves on its own within a few days, treatment for rotavirus focuses on making sure patients are adequately hydrated and nourished so that serious complications do not develop. This can usually be accomplished at home using an oral rehydration solution (ORS), which is available over-the-counter at pharmacies and grocery stores.

Replacing bodily fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea is essential. Those who develop moderate to severe symptoms and/or show signs of dehydration may be admitted to a hospital so that intravenous (I.V.) fluids can be provided.

A vaccine for rotavirus was approved in February 2006 for use in infants under 32 weeks old, and it was added to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2007 immunization schedule. However, recent reports indicate that the new vaccine, like the previous one that is no longer given, may be associated with increased risk of intussusception (bowel obstruction caused by the intestine folding into itself). Parents are encouraged to talk with the pediatrician regarding whether rotavirus vaccination is appropriate for their children.

Rotavirus can survive in the environment for weeks and infection is easily transmitted. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to control or prevent, even in places with modern water treatment facilities and excellent hygiene standards. Outbreaks in group settings are common (e.g., families, daycare centers, schools, hospital nurseries, nursing homes). However, basic steps such as hand washing, disinfecting contaminated surfaces and protecting drinking water can help reduce the chance of spreading the virus to others.