This virus is known to be the number one cause of infant diarrhea this virus has been in effect since 1973, and although treatable, Rotavirus attacks mainly young infants and children, due their somewhat weak immune system, therefore many consider the virus deadly and dangerous. Rotavirus is a very contagious virus that causes the stomach and intestines to swell up; adults can also be affected by Rotavirus however the symptoms are not as severe as they are in young children.
The symptoms of the virus can take up to two days to show up, they include, watery diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, vomiting, dehydration, and loss of appetite. Due to two of the symptoms being dehydration and diarrhea, many people with Rotavirus must be hospitalized, assuring that the patient receive proper care and fluids their body needs. Since there is no antiviral drug, the patient must drink plenty of liquids and occasionally receive IV fluids as well.
“How does it spread?” one might ask, Rotavirus is spread stool to mouth, by touching a contaminated surface, this virus can also live on hands, toys, changing tables, and more. Many children get Rotavirus from being around other children, in daycares or preschools. Due to this, children tend to take the virus home, potentially spreading it to others within the
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Due to the lack of proper health care in these countries, many children with Rotavirus also get the stomach flu (Gastroenteritis), which causes diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth, and dehydration. This is why Gastroenteritis and Rotavirus go hand in hand, similar symptoms. The way Gastroenteritis is spread is similar to Rotavirus, by improper hand washing and through people infected with the virus. Many children affected with these viruses tend to die because their immune systems cannot handle the severity of the diseases and their countries cannot offer proper