Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Rotaviral Infection
Diarrhea caused by rotavirus is common in infants and young children during the winter months. It can spread quickly to others, including adult caregivers, in child care settings.
Cause
Rotaviruses.
Symptoms
Vomiting, fever, and watery diarrhea. Sometimes a cough, runny nose, or ear infection is present. Symptoms may last 3 to 7 days. Children with rotavirus diarrhea are sometimes hospitalized because of dehydration.
Spread
Rotaviruses leave the body through the feces of an infected person and enter another person when hands, food, or objects (such as toys) contaminated with feces are placed in the mouth. Spread can occur when people do not wash their hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Also, rotavirus can be spread through droplets that are expelled from the nose and mouth during sneezing and coughing.
Incubation
It usually takes less than 48 hours from the time a person is exposed until symptoms begin
Contagious Period
From 1 to 2 days before until 10 days after symptoms begin.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: Until the child has been free of diarrhea for at least 24 hours.
Diagnosis
Recommend parents/guardians call their healthcare provider if their child has the symptoms of rotavirus infection. There is a lab test to detect the virus in the feces.
Treatment
No specific treatment is available. Vomiting and diarrhea may lead to dehydration, which may be a medical emergency. Ask a healthcare provider how to prevent dehydration.
Prevention/Control
- The FDA has approved RotaTeq™ and Rotarix™ vaccines to prevent rotavirus. RotaTeq™ is licensed for infants 6 to 32 weeks of age and is given by mouth as a three-dose series. Maximum age for last dose is 8 months. Rotarix™ is licensed for infants 6 to 24 weeks of age and is given orally as a two-dose series. A different vaccine for rotavirus (Rotashield™) was withdrawn from the market in 1999 due to an increased risk of intussusception, a blockage or twisting of the intestines. Studies of RotaTeq™ and Rotarix™ show that they do not cause an increased risk of intussusception.
- Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough/sneeze into your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after using the toilet, after changing diapers and before preparing or eating food. Staff should closely monitor or assist all children, as appropriate, with handwashing after children have used the bathroom or been diapered. - Clean and disinfect diapering area and potty chairs after each use and bathroom toilets, sinks, and toys at least daily and when soiled.
- Clean and sanitize mouthed objects and surfaces at least daily and when soiled.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Rotavirus Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Rotavirus
Rotavirus is a viral infection of the intestines.
If you think your child has Rotavirus:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
Yes, until the child has been free of diarrhea for at least 24 hours.
- Child Care and School:
Symptoms
Your child may have watery diarrhea, vomiting, or fever. Also may have a cough, runny nose, or ear infection.
Illness generally lasts 3 to 7 days.
If your child is infected, it may take up to 48 hours for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages.
- By coughing or sneezing.
- By touching contaminated hands, surfaces, or objects.
Contagious Period
The illness can spread as long as the virus is in the feces. A person is contagious for 1 to 2 days before to 10 days after symptoms start.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- If anyone in your home has symptoms. There is a medical test to detect the virus. No specific treatment is available.
- Ask how to prevent dehydration. Your child may become dehydrated due to vomiting or diarrhea.
Prevention
- Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Use a tissue or your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Wash hands after touching anything that could be contaminated with the secretions from the mouth or nose or with feces and before preparing food or eating. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Clean and disinfect any objects that come in contact with feces or secretions from the nose or mouth. This includes toilets (potty chairs), sinks, toys, and diaper changing areas. Use a product that kills viruses.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.