Rotavirus is a very contagious virus that causes diarrhea. It is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and children worldwide, resulting in over 215,000 deaths annually. Before the development of a vaccine, most children in the United States had been infected with the virus at least once by age 5.
Although rotavirus infections are unpleasant, this infection can be treated at home with extra fluids to prevent dehydration. Occasionally, severe dehydration requires intravenous fluids in the hospital. Dehydration is a serious complication of rotavirus and a major cause of childhood deaths in developing countries.
Good hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly, is important. But vaccination is the best way to prevent rotavirus infection.
Symptoms
A rotavirus infection usually starts within two days of exposure to the virus.
Initial symptoms are ;
- fever and vomiting,
- followed by three to eight days of watery diarrhea.
- The infection can cause abdominal pain as well.
In adults who are otherwise healthy, a rotavirus infection may cause only mild signs and symptoms or none at all.
Causes
Rotavirus is present in an infected person's stool several days before symptoms appear and for up to 10 days after symptoms subside. The virus spreads easily through hand-to-mouth contact throughout this time — even if the infected person doesn't have symptoms.
If one have rotavirus and he/she don't wash their hands after using the toilet — or your child has rotavirus and you don't wash your hands after changing your child's diaper or helping your child use the toilet — the virus can spread to anything you touch, including food, toys and utensils. If another person touches your unwashed hands or a contaminated object and then touches his or her mouth, an infection may follow. The virus can remain infectious on surfaces for weeks or longer if the area isn't disinfected.
Because there are many types of rotavirus, it's possible to be infected more than once, even if you've been vaccinated. However, repeat infections are typically less severe.
Complications
Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration, particularly in young children. Left untreated, dehydration can become a life-threatening condition regardless of its cause.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT:
1. Arsenic Album :Very useful for copious diarrhea and vomiting. useful for diarrhea and vomiting appear after eating and drinking. There is vomiting as soon as any food or water consumed . There is thirst for water in small quantities may be present.Useful where fever is associated with the symptom.
3. China:
Useful medicines for rotavirus infection where diarrhea is attended with extreme exhaustion. There is diarrhea accompanied by excessive flatulence. Useful for child who feels exhausted, weak and even drowsy at times.
4. Veratrum Album:
Useful for watery and evacuated forcibly stool.There is abdominal pain preceded by stool. There is copious vomiting. Useful for dehydration arises from excessive fluid loss. The body gets cold and breaks into a sweat.Also useful in low blood pressure and cold breath.
