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Rotavirus: transmission, complications, treatment

The rotavirus is thought to be responsible for 14,000 hospitalizations in babies under 3 years old. It is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in children. How is the transmission done? What are the symptoms ? Treatments ? Explanations with Prof. Romain Basmaci, head of the pediatric department at Louis-Mourier hospital.

Definition: what is rotavirus?

Rotavirus is a very common and very contagious digestive virus which infects intestinal cells, causes pain in the intestinal lining, produces a lot of water and prevents intestinal cells (enterocytes) to absorb what we bring them, what will lead to gastroenteritis. It mainly affects babies and young children.

Contagiousness is really very important

Rotavirus is a virus fairly resistant in the environment. It is spreads through hands, stools, and all stool contaminated objects : diapers, soft toys, toys, doorknobs, bed. “If we do not disinfect and touch contaminated surfaces and then bring our hands to their mouths, we will become infected with rotavirus, warns Professor Romain Basmaci. It is estimated that there may be 1010 viral particles per gram of stool, which means 10 billion viruses per gram of stool. Contagiousness is really very important. Hence the importance of washing your hands regularly, before changing a baby, afterwards, and disinfect the changing table, remove toys and soft toys, wash the baby’s hands who may have put their hands at diaper level“.

What are the symptoms ?

Rotavirus infection causes gastroenteritis. The symptoms are:

  • from loose, watery, heavy stools,
  • often vomiting
  • sometimes fever.

How long does the infection last?

After 10 days, consult because prolonged diarrhea can cause dehydration

L’infection lasts an average of 4 to 5 days. Sometimes she can last 7-10 days. Beyond that, it is necessary to consult because the prolonged diarrhea having altered the digestive mucosa can lead to a difficult food recovery and the need to change milk for small infants. “It is not the diarrhea per se that is dangerous, but the risk of dehydration. If the children have a lot of watery stools but they manage to drink and eat, they manage to compensate for their losses. If not, there is a risk of dehydration. If this is mild, oral rehydration is as often as possible. If it is moderate, a short hospital stay may be necessary for rehydration by nasogastric tube or intravenously, while severe dehydration will require intravenous rehydration in hospital. If treatment is late, it can be life-threatening“, qualifies the head of the pediatrics department of the Louis-Mourier hospital.

Since the symptoms of rotavirus infection are characteristic of gastroenteritis, the diagnosis is very easy. No further examination is necessary. The identification of rotavirus in the stool is of no therapeutic interest.

What are the risks of complications for the baby?

The main complication of gastroenteritis in babies is dehydration, which can be very serious and may require hospitalization.

What complications in adults?

As in children, theVomiting and diarrhea can cause severe dehydration. The best way to prevent this complication is drink regularly to compensate for water and salt losses.

What are the treatments ?

The best treatment is not to try to control watery stools or vomiting. The main thing is tobring water, salt and sugar. You have to bet on oral rehydration fluid (ORS), available in pharmacies: 1 sachet to be diluted in 200ml of water and given as desired as long as the stools are watery and there is vomiting. Give small amounts (20-30 mL) repeatedly because by dint of not eating we are nauseous. Every 15-20 minutes. Taking very divided small amounts of ORS will, in the vast majority of cases, help to break vomiting, and promote effective rehydration. After 4 to 6 hours we can resume a normal diet, there is no food to avoid“, indicates the specialist.

Is there a vaccine?

There are two vaccines against rotavirus gastroenteritis: Rotarix® et Rotateq®. Their administration is recommended in the baby, the first dose of which will be administered most often between 6 and 8 weeks of life.

Thanks to Prof. Romain Basmaci, head of the pediatrics department at Louis-Mourier hospital.

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