What is rotavirus?
Rotavirus is a stomach virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It is most common in children under age 5. Many people call it a “stomach flu,” but it is not related to influenza (the flu), which affects the lungs.
Rotavirus spreads easily, especially in the winter and spring. Children with weak immune systems have a higher risk of getting this virus, and it can be more dangerous for them. Rotavirus can lead to severe dehydration, which may require hospitalization.
The best way to protect children from rotavirus is with the rotavirus vaccine. This vaccine is often given to babies as part of their regular vaccination schedule.
Rotavirus symptoms usually start about 1–2 days after exposure to the virus. Common signs and symptoms of rotavirus include:
These symptoms can last 3–8 days.
In some cases, rotavirus can lead to dehydration, which can be serious. Signs of dehydration in babies and young children include:
- Dry mouth, lips, nostrils, or skin
- Few or no tears when crying
- Fussiness, fatigue, weakness, or confusion
- Sunken eyes or soft spot (fontanelle) on an infant's head
- Decrease in urine (pee) or dark colored urine
Rotavirus is often diagnosed based on symptoms. Your health care provider can collect a sample of stool (poop) for testing to confirm the diagnosis. Other tests, such as blood or urine tests, can check for dehydration or other health problems.
Common stomach viruses: Rotavirus and norovirus
Rotavirus and norovirus are both viruses that cause stomach sickness. But they are not the same:
- Rotavirus affects mostly children and lasts longer. There is a vaccine to protect against it.
- Norovirus spreads easily among people of all ages, often in places like schools or cruise ships. It usually causes a shorter illness, and there is no vaccine to prevent it.
There is no specific medicine to treat rotavirus. Antibiotics and antivirals will not help. Most children get better on their own in 3–8 days.
Things you can do to help your child when they have rotavirus include:
- Give plenty of fluids: Offer water or breast milk. Oral rehydration drinks such as Pedialyte® can also help. These special drinks are made with water, salt, and sugar. They help replace the fluids and minerals lost during vomiting and diarrhea. You can buy these drinks at the store.
- Avoid sugary drinks: Do not give soda or fruit juice because they can make diarrhea worse.
- Keep offering food: Give your child healthy foods if they can eat. Offer them smaller amounts of food throughout the day rather than large meals.
- Give acetaminophen for fever if needed: Do not give aspirin to children.
- Make sure they rest: Make sure they get enough rest to help their body fight the infection.
- Keep your child at home until they are better: This will help stop the spread of infection.
Do not give anti-diarrheal medicines unless instructed by your health care provider. These medicines can make the infection worse.
If your child becomes very dehydrated, they may need to go to the hospital for treatment.
The rotavirus vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect your child from rotavirus. The vaccine is given as oral drops (by mouth). There are 2 vaccines available:
- RotaTeq® (RV5): This vaccine is given to babies 3 times; when they are 2, 4, and 6 months old.
- Rotarix® (RV1): This vaccine is given to babies 2 times; when they are 2 and 4 months old.
Talk with your child’s health care provider about the rotavirus vaccine.
Rotavirus in children with illness or weak immune systems
Rotavirus infections can be dangerous for children with certain medical conditions or who have weak immune systems. They may have more severe or longer-lasting illness with rotavirus infection and may need special care.
Conditions or factors that may increase your child’s risk include:
Contact your health care provider if your child has been exposed to rotavirus or has symptoms.
If your child has a weak immune system, it is important to take steps to prevent illness. A child who is immunocompromised may not be able to get the rotavirus vaccine. It is important to vaccinate siblings and other children who are close contacts to help protect your child.
Rotavirus spreads easily, especially among young children. It lives in the feces (poop) of those who have the virus. People catch it by touching something with the germ and then touching their mouth. Rotavirus may be found on:
- Hands
- Toys and other objects
- Surfaces such as door handles, faucets, or countertops
- Food or drinks
How to prevent the spread of rotavirus
There are several ways to protect your child from rotavirus and help prevent the spread of the virus.
Wash your hands with soap and water
Handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs, including rotavirus. Hand sanitizer is less effective against rotavirus.
Wash your hands:
- After using the toilet or changing diapers
- Before and after you prepare food
- Before and after you eat
- Before and after you enter your child’s room
Vaccinate your child for rotavirus
The best way to protect your child from rotavirus is with the rotavirus vaccine. The vaccine helps the body fight the virus and lowers the chance of getting sick. Be sure that all other children in the household receive the rotavirus vaccine as well.
Take steps to stop the spread of rotavirus
When your child has rotavirus, steps you can take to reduce the spread of the virus include:
- Wear disposable gloves when handling items that may contain the virus: Always wash your hands after removing gloves. Wear gloves when you:
- Touch items such as bedpans and toilets
- Handle urine (pee) or bowel movements (poop)
- Change diapers
- Handle linens such as sheets, towels, or gowns
- Clean and disinfect surfaces: Wipe down toys, doorknobs, and other shared surfaces regularly with a household disinfectant cleaner.
- Wash and dry laundry thoroughly: Use the highest temperature setting recommended for towels, blankets, clothing, and other items your child has used.
- Handle food safely: Throw away open food and drinks after 1 hour. Keep food preparation surfaces clean.
- Avoid sharing personal items: Do not let your child share personal items such as toys, electronic devices, or eating or drinking items, especially if someone is sick.
- Keep sick children away from others: If your child is sick with diarrhea or vomiting, keep them home from school or daycare to avoid spreading the virus.
When to call your care team
Rotavirus can cause dehydration and other complications, so it is important to watch your child closely. Call your health care provider if your child:
- Has diarrhea that lasts longer than a few days
- Vomits for more than 1 day or cannot keep fluids down
- Vomits up blood
- Will not drink anything for a few hours
- Is very tired, weak, or hard to wake up
- Has a high fever that lasts more than a few days
- Has blood or mucus in their stool (poop)
- Has dark urine (pee)
- Has not peed for 6–8 hours (no wet diaper for 4–6 hours in infants)
Questions to ask your care team
