Rotavirus: what it is and how it is transmitted

Discovered in 1943, rotavirus is one of the two main culprits ofviral gastroenteritis inchildren, along with norovirus. This pathogen is an RNA virus belonging to the family of “Reoviridae“. It is so widespread that it is estimated that at least95% of children become infected by the first 5 years of age. According to WHO statistics, every year about 1.5 million children die fromdiarrheal diseases, including rotavirus (source). It is therefore evident that this pathogen can pose a danger to the health of children, even if in the most developed economies cases of death related to it are extremely rare.

There are 7 different types of rotavirus, classified with letters ranging from A to G. The rotaviruses that can infect a human being are those of type A, type Bandtype C. When we talk about childhood viral gastroenteritis, we refer to type A, since the other two types causesevere types of gastroenteritisthat can also occur in adults and adolescents (rotavirus type B is widespread in Asia).

The pathogen is mainly transmitted bythe fecal-oral route. This means that you can be infected if you:

• Comes into contact with toys previously touched by an infected child;
• They put their hands in their mouths after touching surfaces of bathrooms (especially those of kindergartens);
• Touch the dirty laundry of an infected child;
• Eat foods contaminated with human feces;

The main outbreaks of rotavirus are schools, but in general the infection can also occur within the walls of the house or within sports complexes. The virus is also present in children’s saliva, but contagion by airborne exposure is very difficult. Adults can also be infected with rotavirus type A, although they are very unlikely to become symptomatic.

What are the symptoms of rotavirus gastroenteritis?

The incubation period of the virus is usually no more than 48 hourstags. This means that the first symptoms appear on average two days after coming into contact with the infected material. Thesymptoms of viral gastroenteritis are:

• Diarrhea;
• He retched;
• Intense thirst (consequence of dehydration);
• Fever;
• Cold and dry skin;
• Abdominal pains;

Symptoms can persist for up to a week. Usually after this period of time the disease disappears, as the body’s immune response eliminates the pathogen.

How to protect yourself from rotavirus?

There are no specific treatments against rotavirus. Medical therapies are only supportive and serve to through diarrhea and avoid dehydration. The affected child must be fed with easy-to-digest foods,his proper hydrationmust be ensured and the use of is not recommended, which cannot fight the viral infection.

If dehydration reaches a significant level, hospitalization is recommended to allow the medical personnel to administer intravenous fluids. An estimated2.5 percent of children with rotavirus gastroenteritis are hospitalized ( Source ).

Caregivers should avoid contact with faeces or material that may have come into contact with faeces. It is therefore necessary to always wash your hands after changing the diaper and sanitize the surfaces adequately. In reality, these precautions do not eliminate the virus, which is very resistant, but they do however contribute to limiting its spread.

There are vaccines against rotavirus whose efficacy is close to 100%against the disease in a severe form. As far as protection from mild disease is concerned, protection is around85%tags. Vaccination, which in Italy is optional, takes place in infants between 2 and 6 months of age. The vaccine contains live attenuated virus and is given in 2-3 doses given orally.