ROTAVIRUS

The rotavirus is an infectious disease caused by the viruses of the same name, the rotavirus. Rotavirus is the world's most common cause of diarrhea in children. It is associated with severe diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. The rotavirus can be very dangerous especially for small children.

Rotavirus: Description

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and children worldwide. The rotavirus is highly sticky and is easily transmitted. It can spread so rapidly in the winter months that it leads to a regular rotavirus epidemic.

The term rotavirus is used synonymously. This is referred to as the disease as well as the diseases of the same name. The name Rotavirus is based on the optical similarity of the viruses with a wheel (lat. Rota = wheel).

To date, seven subgroups of rotaviruses are known. They call these subgroups serotypes and divide them into serotypes A to G. Serogroup A has the greatest significance worldwide and is responsible for most of the cases.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), about 453,000 children under five years of age are infected with the rotavirus worldwide and an estimated 2.4 million children are treated per year for rotaviruses. Especially children aged between six months and two years are affected because they have not yet developed antibodies against the rotavirus. At the age of two years, 90 percent of all children have undergone a rotavirus infection.

But even older children and people over 60 years are not safe from infection. However, infection with the rotavirus in adults is less frequent. Above all, younger adults are more likely to develop noroviruses, which also cause a severe crushing disorder than rotaviruses. Symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting are usually much more pronounced in affected adults than in children with rotaviruses.

Contamination is usually done by means of a pain infection, that is, via faeces or contaminated objects as well as food or drinking water into the mouth.

Rotavirus: Symptoms

Until symptoms occur with an infection with the rotavirus, infection takes about three days (rotavirus incubation time) after infection. During this time the virus multiplies and spreads in the body. A few days after the infection, as well as up to eight days after infection, affected persons can excrete the rotavirus over the stool (small children longer).

As a rule, rotaviruses are characterized by a slight diarrhea, which can be watery. This diarrhea becomes worse within a few hours. Often nausea and vomiting as well as strong stomach pain are added. Especially children, rarely when Rotaviren adults concern, often have high fever.

The combination of diarrhea (in extreme cases crushing) and fever is very dangerous. Through the diarrhea, the body loses a lot of fluid and also important minerals like electrolytes. In most cases, those affected do not have any appetite during the illness and can not keep anything. The fever is also used to remove water from the body. Especially if the rotavirus affects baby or toddler, the fluid supply must be strictly monitored.

The symptoms last for about four to seven days, then slowly slow down. In about half of those affected, flu symptoms like cough, limb pain or atemplems also appear at this time. As a rule, all symptoms are more pronounced in children than in adults. Under certain circumstances, the high loss of fluid can become life-threatening due to fever and diarrhea.

Rotavirus: causes and risk factors

The rotavirus belongs to the family of Reoviridea. It is very environmentally-friendly and can survive for a surprisingly long time, for example. The rotavirus is difficult to kill with disinfectants. The most frequent transmission route is the fecal-oral contagion. In the case of rotaviruses, babies and toddlers are especially at risk because they simply place toys or other objects in their mouths. However, contaminated food or water can also be used as a source of infection.

Rotaviruses are one of the most frequent causes of death for children in developing countries. Travelers, particularly in the regions of Africa and South America, should carefully study the relevant regulations and recommendations for the drinking water and fresh food of the respective country.

For young children and people with a weakened immune system, rotavirus infection is more dangerous than for otherwise healthy adult persons. In small children the immune system is not so well developed. Even a single rotavirus infection does not protect against a new infection. Since there are many different subgroups of the virus, the rotavirus can attack adults and children many times.

Rotavirus: contagion

An infection with the rotavirus can take place as long as the virus is excreted with the stool. This is usually the case from the time of the first symptoms up to eight days afterwards. Especially in small children, however, this can also take longer.

Rotavirus: Tests and diagnosis

If you suspect that you are suffering from rotavirus, the pediatrician is the first contact person for children. In most cases, the patient can already make an initial diagnosis by means of the symptoms. First, the patient's history is recorded (anamnesis). Here you have the opportunity to describe all the symptoms and behavioral changes of your child. Afterwards, the doctor can ask questions such as:

When did you / your child eat the last few days? Have you heard of similar cases in your environment (for example in children's school or kindergarten)? From?

According to the patient's history, a physical examination takes place. Among other things, the abdomen is scanned in order to rule out other causes for gastrointestinal complaints. A demarcation to other viral infections is also absolutely necessary since a disease with rotaviruses is notifiable in adults and in children.

Rotaviruses can be detected in the stool of the affected person under the microscope. Alternatively, the rotavirus can be diagnosed by means of an electron microscope or molecular biology. These methods can provide additional data to the physician and provide information on the origin of the pathogens. However, they are more complex and are therefore only rarely used.

Rotavirus: treatment

Treatment of the rotavirus is purely symptomatic. It is not possible to directly control the virus with medicines (virostatics). It is of particular importance that affected persons drink enough to compensate for the loss of fluid. The fluid deficiency can become life-threatening, especially in children, since important mineral salts are thus also removed from the body. About half of all children with a rotavirus infection are therefore treated in the hospital. Drinks are mainly mineral water, tea and diluted fruit juices. Drinks such as milk or adults on alcohol should be dispensed with. Babies who are still breastfed should first get breast milk after consultation with the doctor.

Antibiotics can not be used in rotaviruses. They only help with a bacterial infection, but not with a virus disease. Also, drugs that help to prevent diarrhea and thus inhibit intestinal motility should not be taken. To reduce the fever, fever-inhibiting drugs can be administered. In adults, these are primarily acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and novalgin. In children, these active substances must not be administered. Ibuprofen and paracetamol are prescribed here.

Pay attention to special hygiene measures during the illness. There are special disinfectants that can be used against rotaviruses. During the acute phase of illness, you should regularly clean everything you use as a person or your child. In the case of children, clean toys, crockery and the changing mat as well as all used items. Wash your hands regularly and be careful not to have too much contact with other people to avoid transmission of the rotavirus.

Rotavirus vaccination is recommended for all children. An effect of the vaccination is already shown in a decrease of the illness cases.

Rotavirus: disease history and prognosis

The mortality due to rotaviruses is low in Germany - it is about 0.1 percent of infections. Almost half of all children under five years of age are hospitalized. Adults who have become infected with rotaviruses are treated in about 20 percent of cases in the hospital. In Germany, the number of new infections also declined sharply as a result of vaccinations. Still, many parents still consider vaccination against rotavirus as unnecessary. This often leads to local epidemics - especially in public institutions such as schools, kindergartens or even hospitals.

Infection with rotavirus is much more dangerous in adults as well as in children. According to the RKI, more than 100 million children suffer from rotavirus annually in countries such as Africa, Asia and Latin America. An estimated 350,000 to 600,000 children under the age of five die from an infection with the rotavirus.