Rotavirus is the most frequent cause of diarrhoea in infants and children worldwide, Thailand included. Millions of babies become sick with rotavirus diarrhoea annually, with high morbidity and mortality. The illness exerts considerable psychological and financial strain on parents and caretakers.
Rotavirus is a double-stranded RNA virus in the Reoviridae family. It is a contagious virus that spreads predominantly through the faecal-oral route. Clusters of cases often occur in daycare centres, kindergartens, and schools. The virus is stable and viable in the environment on hard surfaces, toys, and doorknobs for an extended time. Children could contract the virus without proper handwashing.
What ages are at risk?
Most children first pick up the virus between three months and three years old. Adults can also catch the virus, though with milder symptoms. Infections are more frequent in the winter or cooler months—from fall to spring in the West and December to January in Thailand.
What are the symptoms of rotavirus infection in children?
The main symptoms relate to the gastrointestinal tract. The usual incubation period is two to three days. The symptoms are fever, nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhoea. Fever may last one to two days, and diarrhoea may last about one week.
The most concerning condition is dehydration resulting from diarrhoea, which may lead to many days of hospitalisation if not treated or cared for properly at the outset.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration include lethargy, sleepiness, irritability, dry mouth, pale skin, sunken eyes, decreased urination, less wetting of diapers, or crying with few or no tears.
Other viral infections can cause similar symptoms, such as norovirus and adenovirus infections. Aside from viruses, diarrhoea in children may be due to bacterial infections, food poisoning, or contaminated food intake. Antibiotic-induced diarrhoea could be another cause. If diarrhoea is severe and persistent, seeking medical consultation is highly recommended. Please be sure of the diagnosis by consulting your paediatrician; tests are available to identify the virus from the stool samples.
In the battle against rotavirus, knowledge is our most potent weapon. By implementing preventive measures, promoting hand hygiene, and embracing vaccination, we can shield our children from its grasp and ensure a healthier future for generations to come.
Treatment of rotavirus infection in children
There are no specific antimicrobials for the virus. Treatment depends on the age of the children and the severity of the symptoms. Antibiotics are not necessary for treating the virus. The most important thing is to maintain a normal state of hydration with water, formula, breast milk, and oral rehydration solutions (ORS) available in drugstores or convenience stores.
If the child loses too much bodily fluid, they will be noticeably sick and need hospital admission for intravenous fluid rehydration.
How to prevent rotavirus infections
- Wash hands and clean objects with disinfectant often.
- Teach children how to wash their hands.
- A vaccine for preventing rotavirus is available and recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization). Rotavirus vaccination should begin and finish between two and six months of age. Currently, two types of oral vaccines are available, given as drops in a 2- or 3-dose series at two-month intervals. The vaccine will reduce the illness's severity and prevent unnecessary hospitalisation.
In the battle against rotavirus, knowledge is our most potent weapon. By implementing preventive measures, promoting hand hygiene, and embracing vaccination, we can shield our children from its grasp and ensure a healthier future for generations to come.
Author: Mingmuang Worawattanakul, MD. Paediatrician specialising in gastroenterology and hepatology, Paediatric Center, MedPark Hospital Tel. +66 2023 3333.
Series Editor: Katalya Bruton, Healthcare Content Editor and Director, Dataconsult Ltd. Dataconsult’s Thailand Regional Forum at Sasin provides seminars and extensive documentation to update business on future trends in Thailand and the Mekong Region. Contact: info@dataconsult.co.th Tel: 662-233-5606/7
