Common Questions, Quick Answers: Pediatrics

Rotavirus

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Susan Kinzer, M.P.H.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: February 2003
Last Revision Date: February 2003

• What is Rotavirus?
• Who can get it?
• What are the signs and symptoms?
• Is it contagious?
• How is it treated?
• How long does it last?
• Can it be prevented?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is rotavirus?

• Rotavirus is a germ that causes severe diarrhea in children.
• It causes swelling of the stomach and guts.

Who can get it?

• Anyone can get it.
• Children at a higher risk are:
• Less than 2 years of age
• Premature infants
• In day care
• Almost all children get it by the time they are 3 years old.

What are the signs and symptoms?

• Vomiting
• Fever
• Watery diarrhea
• Dehydration (loss of body water)
• Stomach pain

Is it contagious?

• Yes, it is very contagious.
• It is easily passed from one person to another.
• This happens when children forget to wash their hands after using the bathroom or before eating.

How is it treated?
Controlling your child's intake of food and liquid can help stop her vomiting and diarrhea.

Diarrhea

• If there is diarrhea but no vomiting, it's usually okay to give your child milk.
• Make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids.
• Feed your child a "B-R-A-T" diet for 1 or 2 days. It is made of bananas, rice (cooked white rice, rice cereal, rice cakes), applesauce, and tea or dry toast (no butter or jelly).
• Keep your child's diet bland until diarrhea is better. Plain pasta, baked chicken, boiled potatoes, cooked vegetables, and soups are good.
• Avoid spicy and fried food.
• If diarrhea doesn't get better, limit high-sugar foods like Kool-Aid and apple juice.
• Do not use over-the-counter medications until you have checked with the doctor.

Vomiting
Most vomiting will stop within about 8-12 hours with the right care. Some doctors recommend using an oral rehydration solution (ORS) as described below. Other doctors recommend taking the following steps:

• Stop formula and breast feedings. Stop all liquids and solid foods in older children.
• Give frequent, small amounts of fluids. Give your child 1-ounce of clear liquids every hour. Have your child take small sips.
• Do not use plain water. Special clear liquids called oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are best.
• Some doctors say that children over 2 years old can have Gatorade, soda, clear soups, tea, Jell-O, and Popsicles. Ask your doctor.
• Do not give your child diet soda, sugar-free drinks, or caffeine.
• If your child doesn't vomit after 8-12 hours, add solid foods. For infants, try rice cereal with water or Pedialyte. For toddlers, try dry cereal, dry crackers, or dry toast.
• If your infant doesn't vomit after 12 to 24 hours, start breastfeeding or begin giving formula. Some doctors recommend giving half-strength formula for 12 hours, then full-strength after 12 hours. Ask your doctor.
• Add food and liquids slowly as your child is able to keep them down.

How long does it last?

• In most children, fever and vomiting will stop after 2 days.
• The diarrhea can last 10 to 12 days.

Can it be prevented?

• Good hand washing is important. Wash your hands before eating and after using the bathroom.
• A new rotavirus vaccine may be available soon.

When should I call the doctor?
If you have questions or concerns about your child's condition, call the doctor. If your child is very dehydrated, she needs immediate attention.

Call the doctor if…

• Your child is under 6 months old and has a temperature above 104 degrees F (or 40 degrees C).
• Your child is under 2 years old and has vomiting or diarrhea.
• Stomach pain is not better in 2 hours, vomiting is not better in 12 hours, or diarrhea is not better after 3 days.
• Your child's mouth is dry, she is bloated, or she won't take liquids.
• There is blood in the vomit or diarrhea or bile (yellow-green liquid) in the vomit.
• Your child has pain with urination, a bad headache, neck pain, or a strange rash.
• Your child is unable to take the medicine she needs.

Go to the emergency room if…

• Your child is very thirsty.
• Your child doesn't urinate in 8-12 hours or if your infant does not urinate in 4-6 hours.
• Urine is very dark.
• Your child is sleeping a lot or has very little energy.
• There are no tears when your child cries.

Quick Answers

• Rotavirus is a germ that causes severe diarrhea in children.
• Almost all children get it by the time they are 3 years old.
• It is easily passed from one infected person to another.
• Good hand washing is important.
• It can cause vomiting, fever, watery diarrhea, dehydration (loss of body water), and stomach pain.
• If your child is vomiting, stop all food and liquids. After 30 minutes of not vomiting, begin to add food and liquids slowly as she is able to keep them down.
• Feed your child a bland diet if she has diarrhea.
• Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration. Dehydration can be treated with an ORS.
• Call the doctor if vomiting, diarrhea, or aches and pains do not get better within reasonable time. Go to the emergency room if your child is very dehydrated.
• Call your doctor if you have any questions about your child's condition.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics. Report of the Comm. on Infectious Diseases. 25th Edition. (2000). P. 493-495.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rotavirus. 2001, August 20. (cited 2002, December 12). URL: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rev/gastro/rotavirus.htm
• KidsHealth for Parents. Rotavirus. 2001, May. (cited 2002, December 12). URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/rotavirus_p6.html
• Merck Research Laboratories. Rotavirus Vaccine Study: Recruitment Resource Binder. 2002.
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition. Rotavirus. 1992, January. (cited 2002, December 12). URL: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap33.html

Title Page

See related Patient Topics Diarrhea, Digestive System, Infections, Infectious Diseases--General, Rotavirus Infections or Symptoms and Manifestations.

See related Provider Topics Diarrhea, Digestive System, Infections, Infectious Diseases--General or Symptoms and Manifestations.

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