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Rotaviruses are very dangerous, especially for young children. They are the most common cause of diarrhea in children. Unfortunately, rotavirus can be infected almost at any time of the year, but the most common diseases occur in autumn and winter. Almost every parent has heard about rotaviruses, but not everyone knows what the symptoms of the infection are.
Getting sick with rotavirus can be very dangerous, especially when it affects very young children. The risk is mainly related to dehydration which can occur very quickly in severe diarrhea and high temperature. Fortunately, knowing the symptoms of rotavirus can help you avoid hospitalization.
Rotavirus symptoms – what should you know about rotaviruses?
Rotavirus infections usually affect children between 6 and 24 months of age. Unfortunately, it is in the case of the smallest children that the course of the disease is the most severe. However, it should be remembered that adults can also become infected.
Adults often do not notice symptoms of infection. Acute symptoms of rotavirus infection are seen more often in children. In this case, the infection sometimes ends in hospitalization.
When the symptoms appear, it is impossible not to notice them and function normally. Rotaviruses multiply in the small intestine for about 2 days. Initially, the symptoms are not very bothersome, but with time they worsen and may make it impossible to perform their duties.
Rotavirus damages the mucosa of the small intestine, which limits the absorption of e.g. water that must be eliminated from the body. As a result, severe diarrhea appears, which causes the patient to pass stools several times a day.
Rotavirus symptoms – characteristics
The symptoms associated with rotavirus are most often acute, especially in very young children. Symptoms are violent and often appear suddenly. Diarrhea during rotavirus infection can be very severe. The stool is very loose, even watery, very plentiful and gushing. Often you can see mucus in it. Vomiting is common along with loose diarrhea.
Diarrhea and vomiting aren’t the only symptoms of rotavirus. The patient also often has to deal with high fever, which often reaches 40 degrees Celsius.
The most serious consequences of rotavirus are electrolyte disturbances, often severe dehydration and, for example, acidosis. If the course of the disease is very rapid and, for example, a few-month-old baby is ill, it may even die.
Some patients also develop symptoms characteristic of an upper respiratory tract infection. So there is a runny nose, cough or sore throat.
Rotavirus symptoms last for 4 to 10 days. It also happens that the disease lasts up to several weeks. It should also be remembered that the virus itself is excreted from the body within 8-30 days.
During illness, the sick person loses their appetite and the children are very restless. The most severe course also applies to people with cancer and those with immunodeficiency.
Rotavirus symptoms – hospitalization
Hospitalization is indicated, especially when we notice rotavirus symptoms in a child under 1 year of age. In such young children, it is best to see a pediatrician who will advise you on how to proceed and when to go to the hospital.
It should be remembered that rotaviruses in infants quickly lead to dehydration of the body. Then the body becomes flaccid, the mouth is dry, the eyelids sag. The child screams but has no tears and is not urinating.
If your child has a high temperature and is suffering from severe diarrhea or shows blood in the stools, go to the hospital as soon as possible. There, the child will receive an irrigation drip, which will ensure hydration, which is so important during the disease.
To reduce the risk of rotavirus diarrhea, use TribioDr regularly. in capsules – a probiotic dietary supplement, which you can buy at Medonet Market.
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