Symptoms of rotavirus infection in children

Rotavirus infection is a viral disease. It can be infected at any age. The most vulnerable children are from 6 months to 2 years old. The cause of the disease is rotavirus. You can get infected with him when dealing with a patient, through unwashed hands, dirty vegetables, infected food. The virus affects the gastrointestinal tract, especially the small intestine mucosa.

The first signs of rotavirus infection in children

The incubation period for this disease lasts up to 5 days. Then the ailment begins to signal itself. For him, the sharp beginning is specific. Parents should know the symptoms of rotavirus infection in children:

• vomiting;
• diarrhea, while the stool initially has a mushy appearance, but eventually becomes watery;
• temperature increase;
• coryza, redness of throat;
• conjunctivitis;
• abdominal pain, flatulence;
• poor appetite;
• weakness, pallor of the skin.

If a bacterial infection has joined the rotavirus, mucus and blood can be seen in the stool.

Diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration. Particularly prone to this complication are children under the age of 12 months. Therefore, if you have any symptoms of rotavirus infection in children under one year, urgently need to call a doctor. Just in case, parents need to remember signs of dehydration:

• dry lips;
• weight loss;
• there are no tears when crying;
• reduction of skin elasticity;
• prolonged absence of urination.

To prevent dehydration, the child must drink plenty of fluids. The smallest are not always possible to give water. Therefore, usually with symptoms of rotavirus in children under one year old, a doctor can decide on hospitalization. This makes it possible to observe the crumbs, take the necessary measures.

A special treatment for this disease does not exist. Antiviral drugs are usually recommended. Also, drugs aimed at restoring the digestive system, such as Smecta, may be prescribed. You can eat liquid rice porridge, crackers. They need to be made from white bread. It is important to drink a lot of baby. The doctor can recommend Regidron.

On symptoms, the ailment is similar to poisoning and some other serious diseases. Therefore, you must always contact the pediatrician to clarify the diagnosis. But a caring mother can test for rotavirus infection. You can buy it at the pharmacy. It requires the feces of a child. 2 strips of an express test for rotavirus will indicate the presence of the disease.