Rotavirus in adults
Rotavirus causes viral gastroenteritis, an infectious disease. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea characteristic of rotavirus infection are often combined with fever, runny nose, and other symptoms of respiratory disease. Viral gastroenteritis is commonly referred to as the “intestinal flu” for a reason.

Rotavirus in adults is the most common viral disease after SARS. The disease rarely occurs with complications, but it can deliver a lot of unpleasant minutes. In this article, together with our experts, we will clarify the causes of rotavirus in adults, talk about the methods of treatment and prevention of intestinal flu.

What is rotavirus

Currently, 9 serotypes of rotavirus are known, which are named after the letters of the Latin alphabet from A to G.1. However, only a few of them cause intestinal flu. In our country, most often infected with rotavirus type A1.

The size of the virus is 65–70 nm. It has the shape of a wheel, consists of a core with two strands of RNA and a double protein shell.1. All types of rotaviruses are resistant to adverse environmental factors:

  • remain viable on objects and surfaces for 2–4 weeks;
  • in water and products remain active from 1 to 2 months;
  • are not afraid of ultraviolet, low temperatures and disinfectants.

Rotavirus gastroenteritis is characterized by a pronounced seasonality (93% of cases occur from November to April)3 and high contagiousness. This means that less than 100 infectious units are needed for infection. For comparison, 1 g of the secretions of a sick person contains 10 trillion pathogens of rotavirus infection.

What you need to know

In the body of those who have recovered from rotavirus infection, antibodies are formed that protect against re-infection.1. However, this protection is partial, since it is aimed at a specific type of pathogen.1. If you meet with another type of rotavirus, the probability of re-infection within a year is 30%2.

Causes of rotavirus in adults

The cause of rotavirus in adults can be contact with an infected person or directly with the causative agent of the disease, which is in the external environment. People with low immunity, the elderly and those with various chronic pathologies are more likely to become infected.

Infection with rotavirus in adults occurs in several ways:

  • through tap water or while swimming in natural waters;
  • when eating foods that contain the virus;
  • by contact and through household items when communicating with a sick person or a virus carrier.

When ingested, the pathogen penetrates the epithelium of the small intestine and damages the mucous membrane. As a result, enzymatic processes are disturbed and a large amount of carbon dioxide, organic acids and water is formed, which leads to increased gas formation and watery diarrhea.

Symptoms of rotavirus in adults

The incubation period for rotavirus infection lasts from 12 hours to 3–5 days.2. In most cases, the first signs of the disease appear 24-48 hours after infection.2.

Intestinal flu can begin in an acute or subacute form. With an acute onset, all signs of the disease appear on the first day, with subacute, abdominal pain first occurs, and fever, nausea and diarrhea develop on the 2-3rd day of the disease.1.

The most common symptoms of rotavirus in adults are:

  • aching or paroxysmal pain in the abdomen, usually in the navel or in the upper part;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • frequent urge to defecate;
  • copious watery stools;
  • general weakness;
  • headache;
  • runny nose, nasal congestion, irritation and sore throat.

Symptoms largely depend on the severity of the disease. With asymptomatic course, there are no signs of intestinal flu. With a mild form of rotavirus infection, patients are only concerned about loose stools and abdominal pain, which disappear after 1-2 days. In more complex cases, muscle pain and dizziness are observed, and the temperature may rise to 39,5 ° C1.

What you need to know

You should be wary if the patient has tachycardia, the volume of daily urine has decreased, and breathing has become frequent and superficial. Such symptoms may indicate moderate dehydration – loss of fluid in the amount of 6-9% of body weight. In this case, the water-salt balance in the body is maintained with the help of drugs that are administered orally or with the help of droppers.

Treatment of rotavirus in adults

For the treatment of rotavirus in adults, symptomatic drugs are used that restore normal bowel function, remove toxins and prevent dehydration. Patients must follow a diet and drink as much liquid as possible, with the exception of carbonated drinks, coffee and fruit juices.

In the treatment of rotavirus in adults, drugs from several groups have proven themselves well:

  • probiotics;
  • prebiotics;
  • sorbents;
  • rehydration products.

Probiotics and prebiotics restore normal intestinal microflora, sorbents reduce gas formation and abdominal pain, and rehydration agents prevent fluid loss and eliminate the symptoms of intoxication. At high temperature and headache, antipyretics and analgesics are prescribed.

What you need to know

With rotavirus infection, antibacterial and antiviral drugs are ineffective3. Antibiotics are prescribed in rare cases if a bacterial infection has joined the rotavirus. As for antiemetics and antidiarrheals, they are taken only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Prevention of rotavirus in adults at home

Currently, there is no vaccine for the specific prevention of rotavirus in adults in our country. The Russian drug “RotaTeq” is intended for vaccination of children aged 6 to 32 weeks.

Non-specific prophylaxis of rotavirus will help reduce the risk of infection. Preventive measures are simple and known to all. Hands should be washed after returning from the street, before eating and preparing food. For drinking, you can use only boiled and bottled water, and thoroughly rinse fruits and vegetables before eating.

Popular questions and answers

Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a very common disease. Our experts answer popular questions about rotavirus infection: Daria Kirillova, candidate of medical sciences, general practitioner of the Federal Clinical Center, and Andrey Gogolev, doctor of the admission department of the clinic of St. Petersburg State Medical University, immunologist-vaccionologist.

What diet to follow with rotavirus?
With rotavirus gastroenteritis, dairy products and those that cause gas formation are excluded from the diet. These are cabbage, rye bread, legumes, carbonated drinks, fresh vegetables and fruits. Lean meat and boiled fish, croutons and toast from wheat bread, rice dishes, decoctions and compotes from blueberries and black currants are allowed. Food should not be too hot. Food is taken in small portions 5-6 times a day. The diet is followed for at least 5 days.

If the acute period of the disease is accompanied by vomiting, it is better to refuse food. Instead of food, the patient is given electrolyte and glucose solutions, 1 teaspoon every 5 minutes.

How many days are sick with rotavirus?
On average, the duration of the disease is 3-4 days with a mild course. With severe rotavirus gastroenteritis, symptoms persist for up to 10-14 days.
Why is rotavirus dangerous?
First of all – intoxication and dehydration of the body due to vomiting and frequent diarrhea. Due to the loss of water and electrolytes, patients may experience convulsions and tachycardia. Against the background of dehydration, the pathologies of the kidneys, heart and blood vessels are exacerbated, and the risk of blood clots increases. Moderate to severe dehydration and other complications may require hospitalization.
Which doctor should I contact with rotavirus?
Rotavirus gastroenteritis is diagnosed and treated by general practitioners and infectious disease specialists. At the first symptoms, you should consult a general practitioner. The specialist will examine and exclude diseases and conditions similar in symptoms to rotavirus infection: food poisoning, appendicitis, bacterial gastroenteritis. If the diagnosis of rotavirus gastroenteritis is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe treatment and recommend a diet.
When to call an ambulance for rotavirus?
Emergency medical care may be needed for the elderly, pregnant women and patients with severe chronic pathologies. They turn to doctors if the patient has convulsions and shortness of breath, the feeling of thirst has become aggravated, the temperature is high, vomiting and diarrhea do not stop.
  1. Clinical recommendations for the provision of medical care to children with rotavirus infection. https://stgmu.ru/userfiles/depts/pediatric_infectious_diseases/2017-2018/Kl._rek._Rotavirusnaya_infekciya_Lobzin_2015.pdf
  2. Rotavirus infection in children. Yu. O. Khlynina. Department of Children’s Infectious Diseases, Volgmu. https://www.volgmed.ru/uploads/journals/articles/1600343432-drugs-bulletin-2020-2-3707.pdf
  3. Viral gastroenteritis: rota-, noro-, astro-, adenoviruses. Ph.D. T.V. Ram https://snipchi.ru/updoc/2020/

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