10 Unexpected Symptoms Of Rotavirus In Toddlers
In This Article
Does your toddler urinate less than normal? Does he feel tired and lazy all the time? Does he complain of abdominal pain? Is he suffering from severe diarrhoea? Does he vomit a lot? Is all this bothering you?
If you can relate to the situation above, then there are chances that your child is suffering from rotavirus infection. Read our post here and learn all about rotavirus in toddlers.
What Is Rotavirus?
The most common form of diarrhoea that affects toddlers during the winters is rotavirus. The virus looks like a wheel under the microscope and hence the infection is a rotavirus. Rotavirus is easily found on toys, and on hard surfaces in schools, day care, and homes (1).
Symptoms Of Rotavirus In Toddlers:
The symptoms of rotavirus are evident only after two days of the infection. Some notable symptoms include:
- Severe watery diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- High temperature
- Dry throat and mouth
- Decreased urination
- Cough
- Running nose
- Feeling dizzy especially while standing
- Sleepy feeling the entire day
If your toddler exhibits any of the above symptoms, then your medical practitioner will advise a stool test to confirm the virus (2).
[ Read: Symptoms Of Strep Throat In Toddlers ]
Is The Rotavirus Contagious?
The rotavirus is highly contagious, and it spreads through the fecal-oral route. For example – if a child has the virus on his hands and is playing with a toy, and if another child plays with the same toy, then the virus quickly passes from one child to another. Toddlers are more at risk because they fail to wash their hands before eating, have a habit of licking their fingers, etc. All this facilitates the spread of the virus. It is because it can survive on hard surfaces for long periods.
How To Treat Rotavirus In Toddlers?
There is no such drug that can fight rotavirus. This is because antibiotics help fight bacteria, but not the virus. Since, Rotavirus causes severe diarrhoea and vomiting, and dehydration is one of the major concerns. Hence, it is important to give your child plenty of liquids like juices, ORSL, electoral water, coconut water, etc. If there is severe dehydration, then hospitalization might be an option to deal with the same. The best option to fight rotavirus is to vaccinate your child against this virus (3).
[ Read: Stomach Flu In Toddlers ]
Rotavirus Vaccine:
World Health Organization has made rotavirus vaccine a must because it is the only measure to fight and control this virus. Babies who get vaccinated for rotavirus do not have to face the severe effects of this infection.
Apart from this, maintaining good hygiene can prevent the spread of the rotavirus infection in toddlers. For instance, children should wash hands:
- Before eating
- After using the toilet
- After playing in the sand
These small measures will help your child fight the rotavirus. However, these are just precautionary measures, but vaccination is a must to shield your child against rotavirus.
Recommended Dosage Of Rotavirus Vaccine:
There are two brands of rotavirus vaccines that are available. Depending on the brand, your baby may get 2 or 3 doses of the vaccine. The following are the stages of rotavirus vaccine:
- First dose is scheduled when the baby is two months of age.
- The second dose is given when the baby is four months old.
- The last dose is scheduled at six months. (If needed)
Most babies who are vaccinated for rotavirus do not get infected. In case they do, then these kids do not face the nasty effects of rotavirus. Under such circumstances, all that you have to worry about is to keep your child hydrated (4).
If you have any suggestions, questions, corrections or experiences to share with us, please leave your comment in the section below. Help educate fellow mommies here.
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