Rotavirus

Rotavirus disease is caused by a virus and is characterized by vomiting and watery diarrhea for three to eight days. Rotavirus is most common in infants and young children. However, older children and adults can also get sick from rotavirus. Adults who get rotavirus disease tend to have milder symptoms. A person can get rotavirus disease at any time during the year, but it is more common in the winter and spring.

What are the symptoms of Rotavirus? 

The most common symptoms of rotavirus are severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and/or abdominal pain.  

Symptoms usually start about two days after a person is exposed to rotavirus. Vomiting and watery diarrhea can last three to eight days. Additional symptoms may include loss of appetite and dehydration (loss of body fluids), which can be especially dangerous for infants and young children.

How does rotavirus spread? 

You can get infected with rotavirus if you get rotavirus particles in your mouth.  This can happen if you:

• put your unwashed hands that are contaminated with rotavirus into your mouth
• touch contaminated objects or surfaces and then put your fingers in your mouth
• eat contaminated food

People who are infected with rotavirus shed the virus in their stool. This is how the virus gets into the environment and can infect other people. People shed rotavirus the most, and are more likely to infect others, both when they have symptoms and during the first three days after they recover. The incubation period for rotavirus disease is approximately two days. People with rotavirus can also infect others before they have symptoms.

Children may develop rotavirus disease more than once because neither the vaccine nor natural infection provide full immunity from future infections. A child’s first infection with rotavirus tends to cause the most severe symptoms.

How to prevent rotavirus? 

The best way to prevent rotavirus is to avoid those with symptoms of an infection. It is also important to practice good hand hygiene. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.  It is best to wash hands: after changing a diaper, after using the restroom, and before eating, preparing, and handling food.  

Handle food properly.  Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating them. Clean and disinfect surfaces, especially around those that may be ill.  Washing laundry throughly is also important. 

Rotavirus Vaccine 

Vaccinated children are less likely to get sick from rotavirus. Most children (about 9 out of 10) who get the vaccine will be protected from severe rotavirus disease. About 7 out of 10 children will be protected from rotavirus disease of any severity.

How can I treat rotavirus? 

For people with healthy immune systems, rotavirus disease is self-limited, lasting only a few days. Treatment consists mainly of staying hydrated to prevent dehydration. Herbal popsicles or teas are great ways to increase fluid intake.

Supportive Care

GINGER

Ginger is useful for any digestive related condition, particularly vomiting and nausea. However, it has also shown to be effective for diarrhea and can be taken liberally in the diet or through specific supplements with a dose of 1-2g/day.

CHAMOMILE

Chamomile is useful as a digestive aid and can help alleviate nausea which arises from overeating, digestive complaints, or mild forms of food poisoning. It can be ingested as an after dinner tea for prevention, but stronger herbal preparations are ideal for treatment.

BLACKBERRY LEAF

Blackberry leaves (not the berries) contain astringent actions which stop diarrhea and alleviate some other digestive concerns. It is best ingested in a tea form, as needed.

REFERENCES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Rotavirus [Fact Sheet]. National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Division of Viral Diseases. https://www.cdc.gov/rotavirus/index.html

Lindblad, A. J., & Koppula, S. (2016). Ginger for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Canadian Family Physician, 62(2), 145.

Lete, I., & Allué, J. (2016). The Effectiveness of Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and Chemotherapy. Integrative medicine insights, 11, 11.

Valussi, M. (2012). Functional foods with digestion-enhancing properties. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 63(sup1), 82-89.

Westphal, J., Hörning, M., & Leonhardt, K. (1996). Phytotherapy in functional upper abdominal complaints: results of a clinical study with a preparation of several plants. Phytomedicine, 2(4), 285-291.