Rota virus is a highly contagious virus that can cause diarrhea and intestinal infections, especially in infants and children. It can be found in all areas and almost all children under the age of 5 have had it at least once, and it is transmitted by mouth or through feces. This epidemic, which occurs especially in winter, can also occur in other seasons and can cause high fever in children.
Infants and children are at higher risk than adults for this virus, which can be transmitted from person to person. Contact with children with the disease or touching certain items that these children come into contact with and transmit by coughing causes transmission of the virus. It is more common in nurseries and places where children are educated in a collective area.
How to Prevent Rota Virus?
As with most viral diseases, being careful about hygiene and washing hands regularly are among the measures that can be taken against this virus. It is also important to keep infants and children away from infected people and prevent contact. The most effective way to protect against the virus, which causes serious fluid loss and infection in the body, is the vaccine for this virus.
Rota Virus Vaccine
Although the protection rate is not one hundred percent in people vaccinated with the Rota virus vaccine, many studies show a decrease of approximately 50-90 percent in hospitalization rates due to virus-induced effects in countries that regularly use this vaccine. A decrease of approximately 20-50 percent in hospitalization rates with diarrhea complaints has been reported.
In addition, in the statement made by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is stated that this vaccine should definitely be included in national vaccination programs. After vaccine applications and since its introduction into vaccination programs, differentiations are observed in the demographic structure of the virus disease.
Are There Side Effects of the Rota Virus Vaccine?
The vaccine administered to protect against the virus can cause some side effects, albeit rare. In possible cases, it can cause intestinal knots and requires immediate intervention. There is a possibility of recurrence of the disease after vaccination in infants who had this disease before vaccination.
The side effects of the vaccine are mostly mild and temporary. It may cause fatigue, fever and temporary diarrhea. Although very rare, allergic reactions may occur in some people.
People who have been vaccinated should definitely see a doctor if they experience sudden nausea, vomiting and changes in bowel movements after vaccination.
What are the Symptoms of Rota Virus?
The virus infection usually starts to show its first symptoms in about 2-3 days after infection. The first symptoms may appear as fever and vomiting. Afterwards, the person may experience prolonged diarrhea. In these cases, fluid loss is high as a lot of water will come out of the body.
It is common for the infection to cause abdominal pain. The virus is commonly diagnosed based on symptoms and examination.
To confirm the diagnosis, a sample of stool may be taken and kept under examination. This situation can be seen differently in children and adults.
The symptoms of rotavirus in children are as follows:
- Diarrhea lasting more than 1 day
- Very frequent vomiting
- Blood or pus in the stool
- Very high fever (higher than 40 degrees Celsius)
- Weakness, lethargy
- Dry mouth
- Little or no urination
- Black stool color
Thesymptoms of rotavirus in adults can be listed as follows:
- Consumed fluids staying in the body for more than 1 day
- Diarrhea persists for more than 2 days
- Nausea, vomiting and frequency of bowel movements
- High fever close to 40 degrees Celsius
- Thirst and dry mouth
- Difficulty urinating
- Feeling very sluggish
- Dizziness
In case of such situations, the person should definitely see a specialist doctor.
How is Rota Virus Transmitted?
While it can be found in the feces of an individual with the virus in his/her body for about 2 weeks, it can be quickly transmitted to other people by hand-to-mouth contact, with or without symptoms. For this reason, hand hygiene is of great importance in terms of transmission and hygiene should be emphasized. If a person has the virus but does not wash their hands after using the toilet, the risk of transmission is very high.
If the baby or child has the virus and the parents do not clean and wash their hands after changing the baby's diaper or helping the child to use the toilet, it can be transmitted to others from any object or object that is touched. If the contact surfaces are not cleaned, the virus can remain on the surface for weeks and the contagious situation can continue.
Since there are different strains of the virus, transmission is possible even after vaccination. However, infections or recurrent conditions are less severe after vaccination.
How is Rota Virus Treated?
There is no specific method for the treatment of this virus. Mostly, infection situations show self-healing within about 1 week. If it is seen in infants, fluids can be given after the doctor's control and according to the doctor's recommendation.
If the baby is breastfeeding and nutrition is provided in this way, it should be continued upon request. However, in formula-fed babies, oral rehydration fluid can be given to the extent determined by the doctor's recommendation and advice.
Rest and rest are recommended for children. Foods recommended by the doctor and on doctor's advice should be consumed. It is also very important to drink plenty of fluids. The child can be given foods such as fruits, vegetables, fat-free meat and yogurt.
During periods of infection caused by the virus, carbonated liquids, dairy products other than apple juice and yogurt, and sugary foods that will make diarrhea worse should be avoided. Substances that can damage the stomach such as caffeine and alcohol should not be used.
Dehydration is an important condition caused by the virus. In such cases, recovery can be achieved at home by taking plenty of fluids. In some cases, severe dehydration may require intravenous fluid intake in a hospital setting.
How to Differentiate Rota Virus Diarrhea from Other Diarrhea?
The diarrhea caused by the virus is often confused with adenovirus diarrhea because of its similarities. In order to distinguish and diagnose, a stool sample should be taken and examined. It is distinguished when there is no blood in the stool as a result of examinations and analyzes and occurs when the antigen is positive.