Rotovirus infection is an acute infectious disease that is caused by viruses and affects the gastrointestinal tract. Rotoviruses are the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children (data from the World Health Organization).
Most often, a rotovirus infection occurs in children aged one to three years. Breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from a rotovirus infection.
Infection with a child's rotovirus infection mainly occurs through adults who are carriers of the disease. It proceeds asymptomatically or to a very mild degree. A viral infection is transmitted through the fecal-oral route through dirty hands, care items, and toys. One of the methods of infection is through water (river, water, well). Rotovirus infection feels great at low temperatures and is a good swimmer.
Rotovirus infection is common throughout the world. Infection with it can occur at any time of the year, but most of the diseases are recorded from October to April.
Rotovirus has many varieties. Therefore, if a child has been ill with one type of virus, this does not mean that he will no longer get another type of the disease. A protective reaction by the body will be formed only from this particular rotovirus species. But cases of repeated transmission of the infection are clinically easier.
The disease has several periods:
- incubation. It lasts from 12 hours to 7 days. The virus enters the body and begins to multiply actively. Outwardly, no symptoms are manifested;
- clinical. It lasts from 3 to 7 days, less often up to 3 weeks. In some cases, a runny nose and sore throat may appear, so the disease is perceived as ARI. Then the temperature rises to 39 ° C. The defeat of the gastrointestinal tract is manifested in the form of vomiting and diarrhea (diarrhea). It is also possible the development of symptoms of damage to the respiratory tract.
Since repeated vomiting occurs, the body is dehydrated, and severe metabolic disturbances begin. In people with underlying diseases, immunodeficiencies, a bone marrow transplant or organ transplant can result in death.
Treatment of a rotovirus infection begins with replenishment of the lost fluid and a ban on dairy products, since lactose is not tolerated during the disease. If the baby is breast-fed, mother's milk is temporarily replaced with a mixture, and they try to save breast milk.
Drug treatment is carried out with smecta (protection of the lining of the stomach, analgesia, relief from diarrhea) and polyphepan (enterosorbent that removes toxins from the body). It is also shown to drink a lot of fluids in the form of saline solutions (rehydron) and fruit drinks. Rehydron will make up for the loss of potassium, magnesium, citrates. One bag of solution is enough for 1 liter of water. It is necessary to take it in small doses, as often as possible before the cessation of diarrhea.
At the time of treatment, the food should be fractional, not contain dairy and meat products, juices and broths. It is recommended to eat dried bread, liquid cereals, vegetarian soups, baked apples.
How to prevent infection with a rotovirus infection?
Two conditions are necessary: wash your hands more often and boil the water that you eat.
If, nevertheless, one of your family members falls ill, provide him with individual dishes, a towel, and isolate if possible.
Recently, on some Internet forums devoted to the topic of health, the treatment of rotovirus infection with the "folk" method using the Coca-Cola drink has been discussed. Orthophosphoric acid, which is contained in the drink, supposedly has a therapeutic effect. Scientific research on this subject has not been conducted, so self-medication to the detriment of one’s health is very risky.