Rotavirus infection (Rotavirus gastroenteritis)

Rotaviruses are a common cause of viral gastroenteritis in infants and young children and are transmitted via the fecal-oral route. After a short incubation period of one to three days, patients present with vomiting, watery diarrhea, high-grade fever, and malaise. Diagnosis is established through antigen detection in stool. Treatment is supportive and mainly involves replacing fluids, although infection may be prevented altogether by vaccination.

• Infants and young children are most often affected, although all age groups are susceptible to infection.
  • Primary cause of acute diarrhea in preschool children during winter
• A leading cause of severe diarrhea (> 10 loose, watery stools within 24 hours) in infants and children
• Rotavirus infections are a major cause of death among children in developing countries.

References:^[1][2][3]

Epidemiological data refers to the US, unless otherwise specified.

• Pathogen: Rotavirus is a non-enveloped, double-stranded RNA reovirus.
• Transmission: fecal-oral route (e.g., by contact with hands, objects, food, water contaminated with the virus)

References:^[4][5]

• Incubation period: 1–3 days
• Fever, malaise
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting and watery diarrhea lasting 3–7 days
  • Mucosal damage and villous atrophy in the gastrointestinal tract impair absorption of sodium and potassium.
• Mild to severe dehydration: See clinical signs of significant dehydration.

References:^[2]

• Norovirus infection
• Bacterial gastroenteritis
• Food poisoning

The differential diagnoses listed here are not exhaustive.

• Vaccination
  • Rotavirus vaccination (a live attenuated vaccine) is recommended unless there is a contraindication. Contraindications include:
    • A history of severe allergic reaction after exposure to a previous rotavirus vaccine or to any of its components
    • Infants with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
    • Infants with a history of intussusception
  • Immunization schedule
    • Dose 1: 2 months of age
    • Dose 2: 4 months of age
    • Dose 3: 6 months of age (if required)

References:^[8][9][10]