Rotavirus, a type of infection usually seen in children under the age of 5, is among the most common causes of severe gastrointestinal problems known as gastroenteritis in childhood. Rotavirus, which is contagious, causes adverse conditions such as vomiting, fluid and electrolyte loss, high fever in children, and causes the child to become sluggish. Vaccination plays an important role in the fight against rotavirus. From Memorial Diyarbakir Hospital, Department of Child Health and Diseases, Uz. Dr. Aycan Yıldız gave information about rotavirus and treatment methods in children.
Pay attention to contact paths!
The spread of contagious infections in society occurs easily. Especially for children who are not aware of the situation, it is the responsibility of the parents to take precautions. Since rotavirus infection is a type of virus that can be transmitted by various methods, the risk of transmission increases if adequate precautions are not taken. The most known and common mode of transmission of rotavirus is through contact. Touching the mouth and eye area with unwashed hands after contact causes the transmission of rotavirus. In some cases, rotavirus does not show any symptoms, which may increase the risk of transmission in the community.
The most common transmission routes of rotavirus infection can be listed as follows;
- Close contact, such as touching or shaking hands with the sick person,
- Touching the mouth, nose and eyes without washing hands after touching an infected object or surface,
- Inhaling particles that come out with coughing and sneezing,
- Rotavirus can be transmitted even through the feces of an infected patient.
- Fever and vomiting are common symptoms.
For children whose immune system is in the development process and who are more vulnerable to viruses, rotavirus is an infectious disease that is inevitable to be caught in the preschool period. The first days are defined as incubation days, and complaints of fever and vomiting are observed.
The symptoms of rotavirus infection can be listed as follows;
- Mumps
- Fatigue
- Fire
- Irritability
- Abdominal pain
- dehydration
- The most common symptom of rotavirus is severe diarrhea.
- Dehydration due to rotavirus in children is a life-threatening cause
Dehydration due to rotavirus in children is the biggest concern for families. Rotavirus, which overturns the immune system by entering the body, causes severe fluid loss in childhood, who are more vulnerable to fluid and electrolyte loss due to diarrhea and vomiting due to age-related diarrhea and vomiting in childhood.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- dry mouth,
- collapse in the blinds of the eyes,
- It shows symptoms in the form of less urination.
- Hygiene conditions should be observed during the treatment process.
There is no medicine or treatment to eliminate rotavirus infection. This includes antiviral drugs, over-the-counter anti-diarrheal drugs, and antibiotics. In the diagnosis of the disease, the symptoms are generally taken into account and the stool sample to be taken for definitive diagnosis is made by examining the laboratory. The aim of treatment is to prevent fluid loss. During the rotavirus treatment process, the following should be considered;
- Plenty of water should be drunk.
- Sugary and fatty foods should not be consumed.
- Anti-vomiting and anti-diarrheal drugs should not be given.
- The nearest health institution should be consulted for intravenous fluid administration in children with poor nutrition, fluid loss and high frequency of diarrhea.
Vaccination is very important
Vaccination against the disease is recommended by experts. It is recommended to be completed before the sixth month in infants. The following precautions should be taken against rotavirus disease.
- Hands should be washed after using the toilet.
- It should be washed before preparing food or touching food by hand.
- Hands should be washed before and after meals.
- Hands should be washed after caring for someone with rotavirus (especially after changing diapers and soiled linen). Care should be taken that the items do not touch anything.
- Surfaces, items and clothing contaminated with vomit or faeces should be washed thoroughly with hot water and detergent.
- Children with diarrhea should not be sent to school until 24 hours after they have recovered.
- Care should be taken to ensure that the child eats healthy and takes plenty of fluids.
- The child should be kept away from fatty and sugary foods.
- People with diarrhea should not enter the pool until 2 weeks after they have fully recovered.
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