Rotavirus is a very dangerous virus that causes diarrhea. It is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and children worldwide, causing more than 215,000 deaths per year. Before the development of a vaccine, most children in our country and in many parts of the world were infected with the virus at least once at the age of 5 years.
Although rotavirus infections are unpleasant, you can usually treat this infection at home with extra fluids to prevent dehydration. Sometimes severe dehydration requires intravenous fluids in the hospital. Dehydration is a serious complication of rotavirus and a major cause of infant and child mortality in developing countries.
Good hygiene moves like washing your hands regularly are extremely important. But the best way to prevent rotavirus infection is vaccination.
Rotavirus Symptoms
Rotavirus infection generally begins to take effect within two days of being infected. Initial symptoms are fever and vomiting, followed by three to eight days of watery diarrhea. The infection can also cause abdominal pain.
In otherwise healthy adults, rotavirus infection may cause only mild or no signs and symptoms.
Reasons
Rotavirus is found in the stool of an infected person a few days before symptoms appear and 10 days after symptoms subside. The virus is easily transmitted through hand-to-mouth contact during this time, even if the infected person has no symptoms.
If you have a rotavirus infection and you do not wash your hands properly after using the toilet, if your baby or child has rotavirus, wash your hands and the areas you touch with plenty of water after changing the diaper or after helping your child use the toilet. Wash and wipe items and supplies regularly, including food, toys, and utensils.
Infection can occur if another person touches your unwashed hand or a contaminated object and touches their mouth. If the area is not disinfected, the virus can remain contagious on surfaces for weeks or longer.
Because there are many types of rotavirus, it is possible to become infected more than once, even if you have been vaccinated. However, recurrent infections are typically less severe.
How to Prevent?
To reduce the spread of rotavirus, wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially after using the toilet, changing your child's diaper, or helping your child use the toilet. But even strict hand washing does not guarantee.
Two types of vaccines are available to prevent rotavirus infection;
1- RotaTeq: This vaccine is given orally in three doses, usually at the ages of 2 months, 4 months and 6 months. The vaccine is not approved for use in older children or adults.
2- Rotarix: This vaccine is a liquid that is given in two doses to babies at two months and four months.