Rotavirus infection
Rotavirus infection is an infection of the digestive tract. It is the most common cause of vomiting and severe diarrhea in babies and young children; other symptoms include fever and stomach pain.
Rotavirus is spread by oral contact with stool (feces) containing the virus.
A rotavirus infection in babies or young children is usually minor, generally lasting for about 3 to 8 days. The infection usually goes away on its own. Occasionally, rotavirus infection can lead to severe loss of body fluids (dehydration), which can be life-threatening. Preventing dehydration is an important part of treatment for rotavirus infection.
By 2 years of age, most children have had a rotavirus infection and have developed some immunity to the virus.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise