According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children. It causes nearly 55,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States, according to the CDC. It also states that it leads to over 600,000 child deaths each year, worldwide. The virus is prevalent during the winter and spring months, the Mayo Clinic explains. Once infected with rotavirus, the baby will be mostly immune from further infection. A vaccine is approved for use in building infant immunity to the disease. According to the CDC, immunity is never complete as an individual may contract the virus again but the severity will be less than the first episode of the illness.
Signs of Illness
A baby with rotavirus may seem lethargic, irritable or in pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. In small infants this can be recognized if he is inconsolable when held, squirms as if his stomach is in pain, or does not interact while awake. Waking during sleep more often than usual may also be a sign of illness when no other cause can be determined. An elevated temperature is also an indication of rotavirus infection. In very young infants, a temperature over 100 degrees F should be reported to a medical professional right away. Fever ranges with rotavirus are typically in excess of 102 degrees F, the Mayo Clinic explains.
Diarrhea and Vomiting
The main symptom of rotavirus in infants is 3 to 8 days of watery diarrhea and vomiting, according to the CDC. If your baby experiences these symptoms non-stop for more than a few hours, emergency medical attention is necessary. While rotavirus can be cared for at home, severe cases may require medical intervention. Bloody diarrhea or vomit are also serious signs of the infection that require medical treatment. Small infants may need to be propped on their side or monitored closely during illness to prevent choking on the vomit.
After Effects
The biggest reason the rotavirus leads to hospitalization and death is dehydration. With the prolific amount of fluids leaving the baby's body for such an extended period of time, the likelihood that he will not recover fluids fast enough is high. Signs of dehydration include dry mouth, crying without tears, very few to no wet diapers, unusual sleepiness or unresponsiveness, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Some infants can tolerate small amount of rehydration solutions while they are ill, but very young babies may require medical intervention for rehydration. Frequent nursing or bottle-feeding may help replenish some of the fluids. It is not uncommon for a baby sick with rotavirus to refuse to eat. Other signs of dehydration, according to Kidshealth.org, include sunken eyes, restlessness and dry skin.
