Question 1

what is rotavirus?

Accepted Answer

Cause of diarrhea: Rotavirus is one of the infectious viral cause of diarrhea - gastroenteritis.

Question 2

what exactly is rotavirus?

Accepted Answer

A virus-affects kids: Rotavirus is one type of many viruses that can affect humans. Viruses are classified by what type of genetic material they have and how they are organized. The reoviridae, the family rotavirus belongs, have double-stranded RNA as their genetic material, enclosed in a 'capsid'.  Rotavirus is an important cause of infectious diarrhea in infants and young children. There is currently a vaccine.

Question 3

what test for rotavirus and why?

Accepted Answer

Several tests: Commercial assays for detecting group-a antigens; viral cultures, or serological response by antibody testing (generally retrospective).  There is little benefit to individual patients to proving the cause for the viral illness since there is no specific treatment available, and most therapy is for dehydration, control of vomiting and diarrhea, and dealing with infrequent complications.

Question 4

rotavirus infection serious in kids?

Accepted Answer

Generally not: Similar to other viruses which infect the GI tract, but the nausea, vomiting, fever and respiratory symptoms may be slightly worse. Children will be lethargic, not have much appetite, and may develop low grade liver inflammation.  Serious complications are almost entirely related to dehydration, imbalance of electrolytes, and acidosis.  Often lasts 8-10 days and rarely requires hospitalization.

Question 5

is rotavirus a kind of airborne virus?

Accepted Answer

Not likely: Rotavirus is though to spread via the fecal-oral route, so infection occurs in areas of poor sanitation.  Good hand washing helps to prevent spread of viruses such as rotavirus.

Question 6

how is rotavirus treated in a hospital?

Accepted Answer

Isolation/hygiene: There is no cure for rotavirus, so treatment is more for making your child feel better and to prevent any complications from dehydration. If your child is hospitalized, they will be isolated from other children to prevent an outbreak in the hopital.It's the leading cause of severe diarrhea. In some infants and children, diarrhea may be so severe that the dehydration requires IV hydration.

Question 7

how does the rotavirus infections spread?

Accepted Answer

Fecal-oral: Mainly by fecal-oral route via contaminated hands utensils food and drink.

Question 8

how deadly is rotavirus in a 2 month old?

Accepted Answer

Depends: It is one of  the most common reasons for hospitalization due to dehydration for infants.Worldwide,it causes significant mortality in young infants.When there is early recognition and proper care, it usually passes without significant long term effect.

Question 9

what are the tests for rotavirus infection?

Accepted Answer

Poo sent to lab: Some stool water/solids can be sent to a laboratory that will test the material for the presence of the rotovirus antigen (bodies) using a simple test. It seldom changes the method of treatment for the child but helps monitor the activity of the virus in the community.

Question 10

what are the symptoms of rotavirus infection?

Accepted Answer

Diarrhea: Rotavius s one of the mt common causes of diarrhea and viral gastroenteritis (stomach bug) in children. In general, children only need supportive care such as oral fluids. However, the diarrhea can be very bad and lead to severe dehydration requiring IV fluids. It can be deadly in some parts of the world. A vaccine is now available for it.

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Doctor answers about:

Rotavirus in newborns

A member asked:

What is rotavirus?

A member asked:

What exactly is rotavirus?

A member asked:

What test for rotavirus and why?

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Rotavirus infection serious in kids?

A member asked:

Is rotavirus a kind of airborne virus?

A member asked:

How is rotavirus treated in a hospital?

A member asked:

How does the rotavirus infections spread?

A member asked:

How deadly is rotavirus in a 2 month old?

A member asked:

What are the tests for rotavirus infection?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of rotavirus infection?

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