What is rotavirus, and what are the risks of the disease?
Rotavirus is one of the major causes of gastroenteritis among infants and small children in most countries. Symptoms are fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, with vomiting and dehydration more common than with other diarrheas. The illness normally lasts 3-9 days, and becomes chronic only in immunodeficient children. Group A rotavirus is a major cause of infant mortality in many parts of the world. 873,000 infants and children under 5 die per year of rotavirus in developing countries. Non-group A rotavirus is less frequent, and is epidemic only in China. In tropical climates, rotavirus infection occurs year round, while in temperate climates it is seasonal. Rotavirus can survive for hours on human hands and for days on inanimate surfaces, and resists common disinfectants. Rehydration therapy makes death infrequent in developed countries. On the other hand, it is one of the most common causes of hospitalization among infants during the winter months. Cecil Textbook of Medicine est
