Rotavirus infection & bull; hello healthy

What is a rotavirus infection?

Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and children under 5 years of age. Rotavirus is a virus that is highly contagious, especially in poor hygienic environments.

This virus is generally transmitted by the fecal-oral route, namely through viral particles that enter the mouth of healthy people.

During infection with this virus, sufferers can experience fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea many times a day. Therefore, rotavirus infection can put you at risk of causing severe dehydration.

This condition is the leading cause of death in children in developing countries.

Fortunately, you can still treat this viral infection that attacks the digestive tract. Rotavirus vaccine, which can help prevent infection with this virus in infants.

How common is this viral infection?

Rotavirus infection is most common in children under 5 years of age, but adults can get it too.

According to WHO, the most cases are found in children who live in slum areas that are less hygienic.

Rotavirus in children aged 6-24 months when infected have a higher risk of developing serious symptoms. This is related to the health conditions of children in the outbreak areas who are often malnourished, difficult access to health facilities, and lack of medical assistance.

This disease can be prevented by reducing your risk factors. Please discuss with your doctor for more information.

Rotavirus infection signs and symptoms

Symptoms of rotavirus infection usually begin 2 days after contracting the virus in the form of indigestion. The symptoms experienced include:

Diarrhea
Fever
Throws up
Stomach ache

In severe symptoms, diarrhea can last for 4-8 days. After it is gone and the condition has improved, diarrhea can be experienced again. In some cases of rotavirus infection, this situation can last several weeks.

Most people infected with rotavirus will lose a large amount of water in their bodies.

Symptoms of diarrhea accompanied by vomiting will quickly lead to dehydration. So, you need to watch out for signs and symptoms of dehydration due to rotavirus infection such as:

Decreased amount of urine
Dry mouth and throat
Easily tired or sleepy
Shivering and difficulty standing
Decreased consciousness

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should see a doctor immediately if you have signs and symptoms such as:

Worsening of diarrhea or bloody diarrhea
Vomiting continuously for more than three hours
Fever over 39 degrees C
Fatigue, discomfort or pain
There are signs or symptoms of dehydration such as dry mouth, little or no urination, and unusual drowsiness.

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor.

Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Causes of rotavirus infection

Rotavirus is a group of viruses that cause diarrhea that generally occurs in children under 5 years of age. There are many types of rotavirus, so you may be infected more than once in your life.

Vaccination can prevent infections of many types of rotavirus from developing seriously.

This virus can be found in the feces of an infected person. Therefore, rotavirus transmission occurs most often when a person touching objects or surfaces contaminated with the virus that comes from feces.

The following conditions cause rotavirus to be transmitted:

When you don't wash your hands before eating or after going to the toilet, the virus that causes infection can get from your hands into your mouth.
In adults, rotavirus transmission often occurs during childcare. Transmission occurs when you do not wash your hands after changing diapers or helping children to relieve themselves.
Eating food contaminated with the virus as a result of not washing your hands and touching food.

Rotavirus can live for several days on hard, dry surfaces and for several hours on the hands.

Risk factors

Children under 5 years of age are most at risk of developing rotavirus infection. However, several factors can increase an adult's risk of infection, such as:

Having children under 5 years of age, especially when the child routinely does activities at the child care center.
Not applying healthy living habits such as washing your hands frequently after and when you are about to do your activities.
Come into contact with infected children.

Diagnosis

In diagnosing the doctor will conduct a physical examination and medical history interview. The doctor will ask about the symptoms experienced, watch for signs of other health problems or dehydration.

Additional tests are needed to confirm rotavirus infection, further tests that need to be done are:

Blood test: take a blood sample to detect infection and electrolyte levels.
Examination of stool samples: a sample of stool will be analyzed in the laboratory for the presence of the virus causing infection.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

Treatment is done to increase endurance and control symptoms so as not to cause dehydration.

Actually there is no specific antiviral drug to stop this infection. However, there are effective ways to treat rotavirus infections such as

Increase fluid intake by drinking lots of water.
Take ORS to reduce dehydration due to persistent diarrhea.
Avoiding alcoholic or carbonated and caffeinated drinks.
Eating solid and nutritious foods without sugar such as whole wheat bread, vegetables, fruit, lean meats.
Get plenty of rest.

If you are severely dehydrated, you need to get medical attention to the hospital immediately.

To quickly increase the body's hydration, fluids will be given intravenously. The doctor will also give nausea relievers or anti-diarrheal drugs such as loperamide to speed healing.

How to prevent transmission

Adults are not at high risk of rotavirus infection. However, some ways to prevent this should still be done.

The reason is, there are many other types of viruses that can cause digestive disorders similar to that of the norovirus and are transmitted in the same way.

Here's how to prevent transmission of norovirus infection: