Rotavirus infection causes severe diarrhea in adults, infants and children, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is a common infection and typically impacts a majority of children by the time they are 2 or 3 years of age, the Mayo Clinic indicates. Rotavirus can be treated at home, but in some cases serious complications may require medical intervention.
Initial Symptoms
Infants and children often develop a fever after contracting rotavirus. Adults, children and infants often experience three to eight days of watery diarrhea and vomiting, the Mayo Clinic reports. These symptoms may be accompanied by mild to moderate abdominal pain and cramping. The Mayo Clinic reports that adults may experience very mild symptoms if any.The KidsHealth website from Nemours says children and infants may have a cough or runny nose with the infection.
Serious Symptoms
When a child or infant reaches a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, the Mayo Clinic advises that medical attention is needed. Consult your doctor about any fever in infants younger than 6 months of age. Other serious sighs of rotavirus may include bloody diarrhea, severe diarrhea, frequent vomiting lasting more than three hours, fatigue, lethargy, irritability and/or pain.
Adults should seek medical attention if they are unable to keep liquids down for 24 hours, experience frequent bouts of vomiting lasting more than two days, vomit blood, find blood in bowel movements and/or develop a fever higher than 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dehydration
Whether rotavirus symptoms are severe or mild, a child or infant can develop dehydration quite easily and this can be serious. Adults can also become dehydrated with rotavirus. Symptoms in children, according to the KidsHealth site, include crying without tears, sunken eyes, dry tongue, dry skin, lack of wet diapers in infants, unusual sleepiness or unresponsiveness. Dehydration signs in children, infants or adults include dry mouth, excessive thirst and/or infrequent or no urination. The Mayo Clinic also suggests adults can become severely weak, dizzy or lightheaded.
