Rotaviruses

According to the World Health Organization, rotaviruses are the leading global cause of severe diarrhea accompanied by significant dehydration and vomiting in children under the age of 5. Every year, more than 25 million hospital visits are caused by these types of viruses, with over 2 million hospitalizations. It is estimated that 500,000 children die each year due to rotavirus infection.

Transmission

Rotavirus is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy one, as the virus is present in the feces of an infected individual. In the absence of proper hand hygiene, using a toilet after an infected person, handling contaminated objects, or consuming contaminated food can lead to infection. In babies, diaper changing, feeding, or any other handling without proper hand hygiene can result in rotavirus transmission.

Symptoms

Symptoms of rotavirus infection usually appear within 48 hours after contamination, and the most severe include:

  • watery diarrhea
  • vomiting

These symptoms last between 3 and 8 days and may be accompanied by:

  • loss of appetite
  • severe dehydration (especially in very young children)

Other symptoms related to dehydration may include:

  • reduced urination
  • dry nose and mouth
  • dizziness
  • poor sleep
  • agitation
  • crying without tears
  • abdominal pain (in children)
  • fever (in children)

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent rotavirus infection is through vaccination. Young children can receive two doses of the vaccine, administered one month apart. The vaccine contains an attenuated virus, and exposure to it is the safest way to build immunity in children.

The vaccine does not provide 100% protection, and there are cases in which children can still become infected after vaccination. However, vaccinated children who do develop the disease usually experience much milder forms. Currently, it is estimated that the vaccine can protect children for several years, and statistics show that vaccination has significantly reduced the number of severe rotavirus cases.

Considering that rotavirus spreads easily due to poor hygiene, another key preventive measure is following proper hygiene rules.

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