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Rotavirus Infections
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

Rotavirus Infections

Rotavirus is a common virus causing gastroenteritis in children, characterized by severe diarrhea, vomiting, and the risk of dehydration.

Overview

Rotavirus is a virus that causes gastroenteritis. Almost all children in the U.S. are likely to be infected with rotavirus before their 5th birthday. Infections happen most often in the winter and spring.

Symptoms and Transmission

Symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration. It is very easy for children with the virus to spread it to other children and sometimes to adults. Once a child gets the virus, it takes about two days to become sick. Vomiting and diarrhea may last from three to eight days.

Management and Prevention

There is no medicine to treat the virus itself. To prevent dehydration, have your child drink plenty of liquids. Your health care provider may recommend oral rehydration drinks, and some children may need to go to the hospital for IV fluids. Two vaccines against rotavirus infections are available.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions

Rotavirus vaccines are highly effective, reducing the risk of severe rotavirus gastroenteritis by approximately 75 to 90 percent. The vaccines are administered orally in a series of doses during infancy. The first dose should be given between 6 and 12 weeks of age, and the entire series must be completed by 8 months of age. If the first dose is not given by 15 weeks, or if the final dose is not given by 8 months, the vaccine series should not be started or continued, respectively.
Yes, adults can contract rotavirus, although the illness is often milder than in young children. However, adults with weakened immune systems or those who are elderly may experience severe symptoms. Management in adults focuses on preventing dehydration through the consumption of oral rehydration solutions or clear fluids. Since there is no specific antiviral treatment, rest and maintaining hydration are the primary care strategies, and medical attention should be sought if symptoms persist or worsen.
You should seek immediate medical attention if your child shows signs of severe dehydration, such as no urine output for more than eight hours, a dry mouth and tongue, no tears when crying, sunken eyes, or unusual lethargy and irritability. Additionally, if your child is unable to keep any fluids down due to persistent vomiting or has a high fever that does not respond to medication, emergency evaluation is necessary to prevent life-threatening complications.
The most critical practice is rigorous handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after changing diapers, using the bathroom, and before preparing food. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are less effective against rotavirus than soap and water because the virus has a non-enveloped structure that is not easily disrupted by alcohol. Additionally, surfaces and toys should be cleaned with a bleach-based disinfectant, as rotavirus can survive on surfaces for long periods and is highly contagious through the fecal-oral route.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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